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XCON: Cannot Start Exchange MTA Service With Error 2140

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This article was previously published under Q185154

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Symptoms

When you attempt to start the Microsoft Exchange Server Message Transfer Agent (MTA) service in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:
Could not start the Microsoft Exchange Message Transfer Agent service on
\\<computername>
Error 2140: An internal Windows NT error occurred.
The Application Log in Event Viewer may display the following errors: 
   Event ID: 6613
   Source: MSExchangeMTA
   Category: Configuration
   Description:
   A fatal internal MTA error occurred. The registration of the conversion
   routines has failed. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services. (16)

   Event ID: 9406
   Source: MSExchangeMTA
   Category: Resource
   Description:
   There is not enough Performance Monitor memory to display the MTA
   Connections information. Stop attached Performance Monitors and re-start
   the MTA. [BASE MAIN BASE 1] (14)

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Cause

The System Account or Local System Account is specified as the service account in Control Panel Startup for the Message Transfer Agent service.

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Workaround

To resolve this problem, perform the following steps:

  1. Highlight the Microsoft Exchange Server Message Transfer Agent service in Control Panel and click Startup.
  2. Verify the service account is correct.
  3. Re-type the password and password confirmation.
  4. Go to User Manager for Domains.
  5. Click Policies from the title bar menu and select User Rights.
  6. Check the option for Advanced User Rights.
  7. In the drop-down list, verify the following rights have been granted to the service account:
    Act as part of the operating system
    Back up files and directories
    Log on as a service
    Restore files and directories
The Microsoft Exchange Message Transfer Agent service should now start without error.

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Keywords: KB185154, kbprb

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Article Info
Article ID : 185154
Revision : 7
Created on : 10/28/2006
Published on : 10/28/2006
Exists online : False
Views : 254