messages disappear

[Ricky T]

Hi,

We're using Outlook 2003, cache mode, to connect to our Exchange and Windows
server 2003. Everything patched. One of the users complains that some
messages (dated last week) disappeared suddenly. There's no filters, rules
setup.
She said those messages were there two days ago and nothing has changed.
Very strange! the current View is all messages(read and unread). I also
tried switching to non-cache mode and still can't find those missing emails
dated last week. I even logged on to OWA and still can't find those missing
messages. I checked the Deleted Items, Junk, all other folders and those
messages were not there, even recover deleted items folder. Other mailboxes
are working fine, no problems.
Please tell me how can I recover these missing email? what are the steps?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Ricky

 

[K. Orland]

How often is her mail being archived?

 

[K. Orland]

Nothing in Recover Deleted Items?

 

[RoninV]

Ricky's question creates a basic question for me. We're using Outlook with
Exchange 2000/2003, and Server 2000/2003. (1)If a user is using Outlook in
Cache Exchange Mode, that users email will be "pulled" from the server and
stored in an *ost on the hard drive of that computer? (2)Each computer this
user logs on to and uses Outlook, the user's email will be pulled from the
server and stored on that computer's hard drive? (3)When the user goes back
to his/her main computer, he/she will not be able to see those emails that
were pulled to another computer? Of course, these questions may all be mute
if the emails pulled are just copies of the original, which still resides on
the server.

 

[Joe Grover]

Yes, yes and no.

When in cached Exchange mode only a copy of messages is pulled down.
Basically it makes a local cache of what's in the Exchange server mailbox.
Receiving messages, sending messages, all of these actions will take place
on the Exchange server just like it would if not in cached mode, just a
local copy of the mailbox will be stored in the OST file. Also if sending
mail while offline it will remain in the Outbox until synching with the
Exchange server, at which time it will be sent.

Since it's just cacheing what's on the Exchange server the only reason
something would not be visible when going back to the main computer would be
if the changes were made while the other computer was offline and was never
synched up to the Exchange server.

Joe

 

[RoninV]

Thanks for clearing that up. Regarding the "no" response... A user could have
an *ost file on multiple computers, but these files will only be in sync if
each computer is online simultaneoulsy? For example, if the user is signed on
to multiple computer simultaneously, the Inbox on each should be the same.
Once one of the computers goes offline, the computer still online will be the
most up to date. Basically, user should keep their main computer online to
assure that-that computer has the most up-to-date Outlook stuff?

Wait, my gibberish makes no sense. If the info remains on the server (cache
exchange mode enabled), then each time the user logs in to a computer and
checks email (via Outlook), the server should "push" the most current info to
the *ost file on that computer? If the user opens an email on this computer,
and later logs off, will that same email show as being read if the user
happens to log in to another computer?

 

[Joe Grover]

Once one of the computers goes offline, the computer still online will be

the
most up to date. Basically, user should keep their main computer online to
assure that-that computer has the most up-to-date Outlook stuff?

====================/

The user wouldn't need to leave their computer online, they'd just want to
make sure that it's online if they're using their email which for all
intents and purposes is the likely scenario anyway. The issue would arise
if the user was offline for some reason (on a laptop without internet
access) and for example decided to go into their email and compose new mail
and save it to their drafts or something. If they then log onto their other
machine without putting the laptop back online to sync then that message
would not be waiting for them in their Drafts.

Wait, my gibberish makes no sense. If the info remains on the server
(cache
exchange mode enabled), then each time the user logs in to a computer and
checks email (via Outlook), the server should "push" the most current info
to
the *ost file on that computer? If the user opens an email on this
computer,
and later logs off, will that same email show as being read if the user
happens to log in to another computer?

That is correct.

 

[RoninV]

Bottom lining it... Sync up, especially after working offline.

Back to the original thread topic regarding disappearing emails... Info is
pulled (or Exchange pushes) to that computer's *ost file. This *ost file is a
copy of what is on the server. If the emails are disappearing, could it be
that these emails were deleted while the user was logged in on another
computer? I believe there is a feature in Exchange, which will enable
administrators to set a time period for the retaining of all emails on the
server. Depending on how the server used by Ricky T is configured, those
'missing' emails may still be there.