XCLN: Unable to View Which Users Have Added You to Their Instant Messaging Contact Lists (262414)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server

This article was previously published under Q262414

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to view which users have added you to their Contact list in the Instant Messaging client, the dialog box is empty.

NOTE: This article assumes that the person has been added by other Instant Messaging participants.

CAUSE

The Instant Messaging client is communicating through a Microsoft proxy server, and is configured in the following manner:
  • Uses a Microsoft proxy server.
  • Contains a period (.) in the user's Instant Messaging logon address. For example:

    user@microsoft.com

  • The Instant Messaging logon domain has not been excluded on the Exceptions tab of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.
Internet Explorer is used for the Instant Messaging client connectivity settings and parameters. Because a period exists in the user's Instant Messaging logon address, the request is sent to the proxy server. The proxy server does not accept the subscriptions request because of its length and drops the packet, which causes the action not to work on the client.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem:
  • Do not configure the Instant Messaging client for proxy server use. -or-

  • Reconfigure the Instant Messaging infrastructure to use only the host name instead of the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). -or-

  • Define the Instant Messaging domain name on the Exceptions tab of the Internet Explorer browser.
For example, if you are logging on to microsoft.com:

In Internet Explorer

  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options click Connections, click LAN Settings, and then click Advanced.
  2. Type the following on the Exceptions tab:

    *.microsoft.com

NOTE: This procedure assumes that you are connecting by means of a Local Area Network (LAN). If you are connecting by other means, configure the specific connectivity method, for example, Remote Access Service (RAS), in the same manner.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB262414