You receive a "HTTP 404 error" when you click a URL that contains DBCS characters when you use Outlook Web Access together with Exchange Server 2003 (908068)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You apply hotfix 890059 to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Then, you log on to Outlook Web Access. You click a URL that appears in the body of an e-mail message. In this scenario, you receive the following error message:
HTTP 404 error- File not found
This behavior occurs in RTF and HTML e-mail messages. This behavior occurs when the following conditions are true:
  • The URL contains Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, or Korean characters. These characters are also known as double-byte character set (DBCS) characters.
  • The URL does not start with the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of a server. For example, the following URL is an example of a URL that starts with the FQDN of a server:

    <A HREF="http://server1.domain_name1.com/Documents/sub/File_name.htm"</A>

    This URL points to document in a sub-folder on a server that is named "Server1".

    The following URL does not start with the FQDN of the server:

    <A HREF="/Documents/sub/File_name.htm">Web site name</A>

    This URL is a relative URL. In this scenario, you cannot access this URL.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the DBCS characters in the URL are converted to UTF-8 characters. This conversion may occur when Outlook Web Access retrieves the e-mail message from the information store. During the conversion, the size of the URL is incorrectly calculated. Therefore, the conversion is not completed, and the URL is damaged.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

You must install Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) before you install this hotfix.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

836993 How to obtain the latest service packs for Exchange Server 2003

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you install this hotfix. However, the Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service and all other dependant services will be restarted.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Mdbmsg.dll6.5.7233.563,270,14405-Nov-200503:05x86
Redir.aspNot Applicable3,30404-Jun-200501:56Not Applicable
Store.exe6.5.7233.565,201,40805-Nov-200503:39x86

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

817903 New naming schema for Exchange Server software update packages

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbfix kbBug kbpubtypekc KB908068 kbAudEndUser
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.