XADM: Exception Error 0XC0000009A with POP3 or SMTP Usage (187780)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
This article was previously published under Q187780

SYMPTOMS

  • When you are running Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 on Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3, you receive an exception error when a heavy load is placed on the local directory.
  • When POP3 clients or SMTP clients initialize sessions with their Microsoft Exchange directory, an exception is generated, stating:
    The exception unknown software exception (0XC0000009A) occurred in the
    application at the location 0x77f88C01. Click OK to terminate
    application.
  • If you try to stop the Exchange services, the computer stops responding (hangs). You must restart your computer to regain control. On a computer with the SMTP or POP3 user capability that is in the process of high user load, the system produces the exception mentioned previously.

CAUSE

A Max File Handle Limitation has been reached on this computer. The registry settings at 
 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/SMTPSRV/Parameters
for the following:

  • Cache entry #
  • Cache table
  • TTL
are insufficient to handle the load.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

S E R V P A C K

MORE INFORMATION

The SMTPSRV key of the registry is only present when Internet Information Server version 3.0 or 4.0 is installed.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/28/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix KB187780
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