PC Ext: Features and Uses of EXTERNAL.EXE F2 Key Option (118448)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.0
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.2
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.2a
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.5
This article was previously published under Q118448

SUMMARY

When you run the External Mail program (EXTERNAL.EXE), you can view the mail transfer status among the various postoffices by pressing the F2 key.

MORE INFORMATION

Pressing the F2 key while the External Mail program is in an active session will display statistics for each postoffice. The postoffice whose statistics are being viewed appears in the lower-left corner. You can use the PAGE DOWN key to cycle through the postoffices that are currently being serviced. The bottom line of the display shows the status of the postoffice being viewed (normally, "Status: OK").

In the middle of the F2 screen, under the heading "Dispatch Mail Postoffice Status," is a list of postoffices that are considered to be external postoffices to the postoffice statistics shown in the lower-left corner.

Under this "Dispatch Mail Postoffice Status" heading are nine column titles: 
   Column Title   Description
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Network        The network name of the external postoffice
   Postoffice     The postoffice name
   Serial#        The serial number
   Status         Connection status to the postoffice, usually "OK"
   R#             Count of errors encountered while moving messages (0-255)
   Sent           Messages sent at this external instance
   Session        Messages moved during this session
   MTD            Total messages sent for the month
   YTD            Total messages sent for the year
The R# column displays a count of errors that have occurred while attempting to move mail to this postoffice. (NOTE: This R# entry is not valid for drives that are in NO-REF status.)

If the R# reaches the maximum value of 255, the status will change to ERROR. The NO-REF status entry indicates that the External Mail program has no drive connection (either DrivesDirectPO or DrivesDynamic) to the specified NETWORK/POSTOFFICE.

The MTD and YTD numbers are kept in XTN records. The XTN files are updated while messages are dispatched.

While the F2 key functionality is displayed on the screen, the External Mail program continues to transfer messages.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/9/1999
Keywords:KB118448
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