SQL Server Hangs When Sending a Message Using SQLMail (178393)

SYMPTOMS

On a computer running Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 installed, when you send a message using xp_sendmail, SQLMail and the SQL Server service may stop responding (hang). You cannot stop the SQL Server service using SQL Enterprise Manager, SQL Service Manager, or the NET STOP MSSQLSERVER command.

CAUSE

This problem, originating in the Windows NT SP3 build of Mapi32.dll, is known to occur when your Windows Messaging mail profile is configured to connect to the Internet (for example, a POP3 mail server) and the SQL Server "priority boost" configuration parameter is set to 1. This may not occur with the first message sent, but may occur on subsequent attempts to send a message.

RESOLUTION

To workaround this problem, set the SQL Server "priority boost" configuration parameter to 0.

If, for other reasons, you require this configuration parameter to be set to 1, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT version 4.0.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

NOTE: Returning to the previous build of Mapi32.dll (which is the base build of this file, installed with Windows NT 4.0) is not recommended, because fixes were made to this file for Windows NT SP3 to correct other SQLMail problems. Please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information:

159425 PRB: Messages Blocked with SQLMail and Exchange Client

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.