Hello,

I have setup exchange 5.5 SP4 on a NT4 Box.

I am running outlook 2000 and outlook 2003 on some other pc's.
What I have noticed is that when I right click the deleted items
folder and select yes to purge them, the emptying deleted items screen
just stays there and never deletes the items. Eventualy I have to shut
down the app and it crashes out.

It only happens with a couple of users. I have been able to rule out
permissions as I have two users with domain admin and one of them has
the problem.

I thinking that its a common prob but my searching hasn't found much. :(

what sp level are you running 5.5?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;191014

If you can, I'd suggest exporting the account folders (except the
Deleted Items) of the errant account to a .pst, deleting the exchange
account, and importing the PST to a newly created account. Backup
backup backup first, of course, and if this is out of the realm of
your comfort level, please consider either a tech support call with MS
or your local neighborhood network specialist.

This is a free comment.

Thanks for that.

I think it could be mailbox related. When I log in as another user on
that same boox the trashcan deletes fine.

I will try the troubled account to confirm this. If so. I will delete
the account and re create it. Its a new account so there is no need to
backup the inbox etc.

Will keep everyone posted.

I thought of something else. Can you open the account as a second
account as another user? That is, can the admin account open the other
user's folder? Sometimes I use this to "fix" things... Tools,
Services, Microsoft Exchange, Properties, the second tab, and add the
errant mailbox.

Sorry I thought about this probably too late. 

This is a free comment.

Oops, :) that was supposed to be within Outlook...

Ok this is what I have done.

1.Tested all other accounts and found that only this one has played up.
2.Logged in as admin and changed the outlook profile to the troublesome one.
Still had the problem.
3.Deleted the mailbox of that user and recreated it. Still have the problem.

One thing I have noticed is when I log in as this user I get this message.
"Exchange is currently in recovery mode. You can either connecto to
your Exchange server using the network, work offline or cancel this
login"

I did a search and the answer seems to be here but you have to pay to find out!
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Applications/MS_Office/Outlook/Q_20922080.html

Did you scroll down on that link? It seems that it affects O2k3
specifically. Search for "Accepted Answer" on the same link.

Ok all fixed!

This is what fixed it.

To reset .ost files 
Start Outlook in Offline mode, and salvage desired items to an Outlook
data file (.pst file).
Start Outlook again, and select Connect to go online with the new
Exchange database.
On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
Click the Microsoft Exchange Server account, and then click Change.
Click More Settings, and then click Advanced.
Clear the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box, and then click Apply. 

Important    
You must click Apply in order to complete the next step. After you
click Apply, this message appears: "You must restart Outlook for these
changes to take effect." Do not exit Outlook at this point.

Click Offline Folder File Settings, and then click Disable Offline
Use. A prompt appears: "Exchange is currently in recovery mode. If you
make changes to your Offline Folder Files settings, your existing .ost
file will be removed from your profile and you will not be able to use
the file. Do you want to continue?" Click Yes. Click OK, Next, and
Finish until you have exited the E-mail Accounts wizard.
Close Outlook. 

Important    
You must exit and restart Outlook before continuing with the next step. 

Start Outlook again, and then click Connect to go online with the new
Exchange database.
On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
Click the Microsoft Exchange Server account, and then click Change.
Click More Settings, and then click Advanced.
Select the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box.
Click Offline Folder File Settings, and then change the name of the .ost file. 

For example, if the file name is outlook.ost, name it outlook1.ost.
You can also change the file path if you wish.
Click OK, and a prompt appears: "The file filename could not be found.
Would you like to create it?" Click Yes, and then click OK, Next, and
Finish to exit the E-mail Accounts wizard.
Close, and then restart Outlook.


Thanks for your help!

Psst! :) you might wish to cancel your question if answered.