Exchange Server 2003 incorrectly removes a server from Active Directory when you delete the server from a server policy (920173)

SYMPTOMS

You use the Delete command or you press DELETE to remove a server from a server policy in the Exchange System Manager tool. When you do this, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 incorrectly removes the server from the Active Directory directory service. This action occurs without verification to determine whether the server is an active messaging server. For example, this server is removed without verifying the following items:

Whether the server currently hosts mailboxes
Whether any connectors are configured on the server

Additionally, if you delete the server from the server policy, you can no longer remove Exchange Server 2003 from the server by using the Exchange Server 2003 Setup program.

Note You experience this problem when Exchange Server 2003 is running in native mode.

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

Because of file dependencies, you must have Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

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 name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Exadmin.dll	6.5.7651.23	21,939,200	10-May-2006	02:47	x86

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to create a server policy, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256141 How to create system policies in Exchange

For more information about the terminology that Microsoft uses for software that is corrected after it is released, 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