PC DB: Preventing .KEY Files from Locking Up on Networks (92439)

SYMPTOMS

With version 2.1x or 3.0 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, your .KEY file may become locked open, causing your computer to stop responding (hang). This may happen when a network error occurs on your workstation while you have a Mail client minimized or in the background that does not use the Mail Message File (.MMF) format. For example, Microsoft Mail for Windows, version 2.1x, Microsoft Mail for MS-DOS, and Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks do not use the .MMF format.

CAUSE

It is likely that Microsoft Mail was in the process of polling for new mail. By default, when Microsoft Mail polls for new mail, it opens the key file. If a network error occurs, the key file may become locked open when the network operating system experiences a network fault on a file that, by default, lacks sharable attributes.

RESOLUTION

To resolve the problem, you need to change the network security attributes on the key files. The exact nature of the change depends on which network operating system you use. In Novell NetWare versions 2.1x through 3.11, you need to break the connection that is holding the key file open, and then place read (r), write (w), and sharable (s) attributes on all existing key files by using the NetWare FLAG command. The syntax is as follows:

   FLAG *.* srw

By default, the key files have only read and write attributes. When you add a new user to your Microsoft Mail system, remember to use the FLAG command to mark the new user's key files as sharable.