OL2000: (CW) Error Message: "Unable to Update Public Free/Busy Data..." When Connecting to MS Mail (248330)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q248330
NOTE: The procedures in this article only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate or Workgroup option. With this option, you can use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, click About Microsoft Outlook on the Help menu. If you have the Corporate or Workgroup installation, you see "Corporate or Workgroup".

SYMPTOMS

When using Outlook to connect to a Microsoft Mail for PC Networks postoffice, you may receive the following error:
Unable to update public free/busy data. Cannot write to or read from the file.
This issue can also occur when connecting to a Workgroup Postoffice (WGPO). A WGPO is normally identified by the folder that the postoffice resides in, the Windows\Wgpo folder for Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98, or the Winnt\Wgpo folder for Microsoft Windows NT. A WGPO is administered from Control Panel, whereas an MS Mail postoffice is administered from MS-DOS.

CAUSE

This error message may be caused by one of the following:
  • The Cal subfolder may be missing from the root of the postoffice.
  • Access rights to the Cal subfolder are insufficient.
  • The files contained in the Cal subfolder are damaged.
  • The Microsoft Mail service is included in your Outlook profile and Microsoft Mail is not used. See "Method 4" later in this article.

RESOLUTION

Method 1

Ensure the Cal folder exists; if it does not, create it.

Microsoft Mail for PC Networks

Ensure that the Cal subfolder exists on the postoffice. For a MS Mail postoffice, create the folder in the Maildata folder on the server computer:

\Maildata\Cal

Workgroup Postoffice

For a Windows for Workgroups, or Windows 95 and Windows 98 workgroup postoffice, create the folder on the computer at:

C:\Windows\Wgpo\Cal

Windows NT Workgroup Postoffice

For Windows NT workgroup postoffice, create the folder on the computer at:

C:\Winnt\Wgpo\Cal

Method 2

Ensure that the users have sufficient rights to the Cal subfolder on the postoffice. The postoffice share, the Maildata folder for MS Mail for PC Networks, or WGPO folder for Workgroup postoffices, and all subfolders should be shared according the following table: 
Access rights                O/S
-------------------------------
Full Control                Windows NT

Read Write Modify Create
Erase Filescan              Novell Netware
 
Full Access                 Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95/98

Method 3

If these requirements are met and you still receive the error, then there may be damaged data. If so, restore the contents of the Cal subfolder from a backup.

If these requirements are met and you still receive the error, the 00000000.pof file may be damaged. Rename this file. A new file will be created when users begin to modify their calendars.

Method 4

To remove the Microsoft Mail service from your Outlook Profile, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Mail or Mail and Fax icon in the Control Panel.
  3. On the Services tab, click the Microsoft Mail service once to select it and then click Remove.

    The service is removed from the profile.
  4. Click OK to close the Services window and then close the Control Panel. When you start Outlook, the error message does not appear.

MORE INFORMATION

The Cal subfolder on an MS Mail postoffice or WGPO is used to store calendar data for Outlook and Microsoft Schedule+ users.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/9/2003
Keywords:KB248330
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.