SYMPTOMS
A foreign Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) system may reject a message from an Exchange Server 5.5 computer that was sent by means of the Internet Mail Service. The errors that the receiving system reports are:
- 500 Line too long.
- 501 Path too long.
- 552 Too many recipients.
- 552 Too much mail data.
The message is then rejected by the receiving system.
CAUSE
This problem can occur if the rejected message was originally sent to another Exchange recipient and a number of other external addresses, and the Exchange recipient has a rule that forwards the message to an Internet recipient; the resulting message contains a line that is too long. The message that is sent is similar to the following message:
> ----------
> From: ServerA Admin[SMTP:SERVERA@SERVERA.MICROSOFTUK.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 11:21:34 AM
> To: ServerB Admin; 'user1@microsoft.com'; 'user2@microsoft.com'; 'user3@microsoft.com'; 'user4@microsoft.com'; 'user5@microsoft.com'; 'user6@microsoft.com'; 'user7@microsoft.com'; 'user8@microsoft.com'; 'user9@microsoft.com'; 'user10@microsoft.com'; 'user11@microsoft.com'; 'user12@microsoft.com'
> Subject: Testing
> Auto forwarded by a Rule
>
0123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345
6789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901
2345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
8901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123
4567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789
0123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345
6789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901
2345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
89012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789
Note that the "To" line in the forwarded message is not folded as the body of the message is (in this case, every 76 characters).
RESOLUTION
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 service pack that contains this hotfix.
To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Component: Information store
NOTE: Because of file dependencies, this fix requires Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 Service Pack 4.