A stub object is left behind in the source database for certain users after a move mailbox operation is complete in Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2

After a move mailbox operation is complete in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2), a stub object is left behind in the source database for certain users. If you start Exchange System Manager (ESM) and then locate the <Mailbox Store> object, you find the mailbox in the destination mailbox store and in the source mailbox store.

The mailbox is moved successfully from the source server to the destination server. This problem occurs because Exchange 2003 cannot delete the folder hierarchy of the mailbox on the source server during or after the move mailbox operation.

Note This hotfix does not resolve the stub mailbox issue. It adds additional events in the application logs that indicate that there was a failure during the move mailbox operation. For more information, see the "After you apply the hotfix" section.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Exchange 2003 SP2 installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix. However, the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service, the Microsoft Search service, the IIS Admin Service, and all dependent services are restarted when you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released 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.

After you apply the hotfix

After you apply this hotfix, when Exchange 2003 cannot delete the folder hierarchy of the mailbox in the source server during the move mailbox operation, the following events will be reported:Event ID 10001 identifies the folder that could not be deleted. Event ID 10002 identifies the partially deleted mailbox that cannot be removed from the source server. As soon as you determine the partially deleted mailbox, remove the mailbox manually. To do this, use one of the following methods:

• Move the mailbox back to the original mailbox store.
  
  Note This operation will fail. However, the stub object will be deleted.
• Wait for maintenance to clean the stub or set the deleted mailbox retention period to zero (0).

Note The mailbox retention period should be changed back after the mailbox is removed. For information about how to do this, see the following Microsoft Web site:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the naming schema for Exchange Server software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: