Help w/ Exchange Server

[aphex]

I've never set one up outlook before w/ an exchange server, so please bear w/ me.

Following these instructions; http://www.law.stetson.edu/computer/Configuring_Outlook_2003_HTTP.pdf

I've been using Outlook 2003 with other accts, so i followed the instructions, added a new profile (while Outlook was closed, as it wouldn't let me do so w/ outlook open), then popped up asking for a new acct, then it popped up asking for the exchange server address and my user name (i.e. E-Mail address).

However, when i click either Check name or More Settings i get the following;
"The action could not be completed. The connection to the Microsoft Exchange Server is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action"

Am i doing something wrong? I cannot add a new profile for the exchange server unless outlook is closed, yet when outlook is closed, it seems to "not be connected".

Eh?

 

[Matthias99]

This is really a Software problem. Or maybe one for Technical Support, or possibly even Networking. In fact, just about any forum would have been better than General Hardware.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
This is really a Software problem. Or maybe one for Technical Support, or possibly even Networking. In fact, just about any forum would have been better than General Hardware.

oops, sorry, i was just looking through here and fergot where i was

I'll pm a mod to move it.

 

[drum]

sometimes i get that error if windows already thinks there is an email profile setup on their windows account.

When that happens, i usually go to control panel - mail, and their name already shows up a a profile. I usually delete the profile, apply, and make a new one by clicking add, clicking microsoft exchange server, entering my mail server and their user name and clicking check name. you are good to go when their name is underlined.
make sure you click 'more settings' to setup where there offline folder will be, which is the point of using the exchange server.
hopefully this helps

 

[RebateMonger]

First thing to check is your DNS setup. If the Outlook client PC can't resolve the Exchange Server's name, you'll get nowhere. Did you test the connection to the Exchange Server when you designated the Exchange Server in your "Mail" Control Panel.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
First thing to check is your DNS setup. If the Outlook client PC can't resolve the Exchange Server's name, you'll get nowhere. Did you test the connection to the Exchange Server when you designated the Exchange Server in your "Mail" Control Panel.

Thats where i am, in the Mail Control Panel.... As soon as i enter a new profile, it asks me to add a new acct, thats where i enter the exchange server and it is unable to connect.

 

[jlbenedict]

as someone mentioned already.. check DNS and whether you can connect or not..
use a few command line utilities for this such as:

NSLOOKUP <hostname>


Any errors or something unusual??

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
as someone mentioned already.. check DNS and whether you can connect or not..
use a few command line utilities for this such as:

NSLOOKUP <hostname>


Any errors or something unusual??

Looks ok to me;

C:\Documents and Settings\Josh>nslookup GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU
Server: gpdc02.law.stetson.edu
Address: 10.100.1.3

Name: GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU
Address: 10.100.1.52

 

[RebateMonger]

A quick test:

Open a Command Prompt on the client PC. Then enter:
"Telnet servername 25"

This opens a telnet connection to your Exchange Server on Port 25. You should get an immediate response from your Exchange Server, like:

"220 mydomain.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service, Version: 6.0.3790.1830 ready at Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:49:56 -0700"

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
A quick test:

Open a Command Prompt on the client PC. Then enter:
"Telnet servername 25"

This opens a telnet connection to your Exchange Server on Port 25. You should get an immediate response like:

"220 mydomain.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service, Version: 6.0.3790.1830 ready at Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:49:56 -0700"

Thats what I was going to suggest next.. :thumbsup:

This would have also validated DNS as well, since you use the hostname along with the telnet command..

 

[RebateMonger]

WAIT!

You didn't mention you are using an "RPC over HTTPS" connection for Outlook. That's ENTIRELY different.

Rules:
1) You HAVE to first install the Exchange Server's Security Certificate as a Root Certificate on your client PC. Unless you can browse to OWA, for instance, WITHOUT a Security Warning, you'll NEVER connect.
2) It's NORMAL to not be able to find the Server the first time you connect via HTTPS. Do NOT do a "Server Name Check". It's a waste of time.
3) If you have connection problems, re-read step 1), above.

Microsoft has a web page that gives a complete example of how to do this connection, including a video. The directions you have are incomplete (unless they aren't using an SSL connection).

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
A quick test:

Open a Command Prompt on the client PC. Then enter:
"Telnet servername 25"

This opens a telnet connection to your Exchange Server on Port 25. You should get an immediate response from your Exchange Server, like:

"220 mydomain.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service, Version: 6.0.3790.1830 ready at Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:49:56 -0700"

C:\Documents and Settings\Josh>telnet GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU 25
Connecting To GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU...Could not open connection to the host,
on port 25: Connect failed

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
WAIT!

You didn't mention you are using an "RPC over HTTPS" connection for Outlook. That's ENTIRELY different.

Rules:
1) You HAVE to first install the Exchange Server's Security Certificate as a Root Certificate on your client PC. Unless you can browse to OWA, for instance, WITHOUT a Security Warning, you'll NEVER connect.
2) It's NORMAL to not be able to find the Server the first time you connect via HTTPS. Do NOT do a "Server Name Check". It's a waste of time.
3) If you have connection problems, re-read step 1), above.

Microsoft has a web page that gives a complete example of how to do this connection, including a video. The directions you have are incomplete (unless they aren't using an SSL connection).

I have NO idea.... All i did to connect to the wireless network here was the following;
http://www.law.stetson.edu/computer/wirelessconfiguration.asp

Dunno if that helps

 

[RebateMonger]

I suggest you call Stetson's "Technical Support Center". They can walk you through the configuration and help you test your Security Certificate configuration, as well. You are going to need to install a Certificate named "mail.law.stetson.edu" on your PC.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I suggest you call Stetson's "Technical Support Center". They can walk you through the configuration and help you test your Security Certificate configuration, as well. You are going to need to install a Certificate named "mail.law.stetson.edu" on your PC.

Any reason my friends are able to connect using the configuration page i posted in the OP? (i.e. w/o installing any certs)

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: aphex
Any reason my friends are able to connect using the configuration page i posted in the OP? (i.e. w/o installing any certs)

As I mentioned earlier, it's possible they are using a non-secure configuration.

Have you tried what I mentioned earlier?
Wait while the "Mail" control panel times out, and then finish the configuration and TRY Outlook? It takes a minute or so to time out before you can finish the configuration. Do NOT do a "Check Name".

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: aphex
C:\Documents and Settings\Josh>telnet GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU 25
Connecting To GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU...Could not open connection to the host,
on port 25: Connect failed

Since you are coming in from an "external" connection, you won't be able to talk directly to the Exchange Server.

 

[drum]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: aphex
C:\Documents and Settings\Josh>telnet GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU 25
Connecting To GPEX-VS2.LAW.STETSON.EDU...Could not open connection to the host,
on port 25: Connect failed

Since you are coming in from an "external" connection, you won't be able to talk directly to the Exchange Server.

does your school have a VPN connection that would allow this?

 

[InlineFour]

since we're on the subject of ms exchange, how come when i send email from my exchange server, the recipient's email hosts flags the email as spam? the exchange server is hosted by me.

 

[drum]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
since we're on the subject of ms exchange, how come when i send email from my exchange server, the recipient's email hosts flags the email as spam? the exchange server is hosted by me.

are you sending to another exchange mailbox or random outside addresses?

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: drum

Originally posted by: InlineFour
since we're on the subject of ms exchange, how come when i send email from my exchange server, the recipient's email hosts flags the email as spam? the exchange server is hosted by me.

are you sending to another exchange mailbox or random outside addresses?

i'm sending to @comcast.net, @yahoo.com, etc.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
since we're on the subject of ms exchange, how come when i send email from my exchange server, the recipient's email hosts flags the email as spam? the exchange server is hosted by me.

Many mailservers either flag your email as SPAM or reject it outright if you:

1) Have a dynamic IP address (as do most homes).
or
2) Don't have a Reverse DNS listing for your Domain. See 1), above.

Of couse, it's also possible your IP address is on a block list because of your own efforts or because of your ISP.

 

[InlineFour]

how would i set up a reverse dns listing for my domain?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: InlineFourhow would i set up a reverse dns listing for my domain?

Generally, your ISP has to do it for you (or you do it via a web page on the ISP's site).

DNSReport.com

DNSStuff.com