Too many Names in Directory Service Error

[fred]

Hi,

Exchange 2003. When setting up an Outlook 2003 client for a new user , and
performing the "Check name" operation to verify the server and alias, I
receive an error "too many names have been found in the directory service or
the server has reached its time limit fo searching". And consequently can't
setup Outlook. OWA works fine for this new user.

There are around 30 existing users - which have been setup over the last
year or so - without any problems. I have tried setting up an Outlook 2003
profile for a different (existing user) on this machine, and also for this
new user and an existing user on a different client PC, and I get the same
error. So it seems something in Exchange or AD is broken.

There are no other symptoms (users all logging on OK, email flow fine - it
just seems to be the "check name" that doesn;t work).

Firstly any ideas what may be causing this? I can find nothing on Technet or
Google - there are no event logs updated on the server or client at the time
of the error. DNS etc seems to be fine.

Secondly - Is there a "hack" for configuring the Outlook profile manually
(which does not perform a verification) that may allow me to get the Outlook
profile for a new user configured (they are currently having to use OWA),
until I find out what is causing this.

BTW this is Exchange 2003 on SBS - although presumably this should have no
bearing.

Regards,

Fred

[Ed Crowley [MVP]]

Sounds like something is broken. All I can think of is to log a call with
PSS.
--
Ed Crowley
MVP - Exchange
"Protecting the world from PSTs and brick backups!"

Post by fred
Hi,
Exchange 2003. When setting up an Outlook 2003 client for a new user , and
performing the "Check name" operation to verify the server and alias, I
receive an error "too many names have been found in the directory service or
the server has reached its time limit fo searching". And consequently can't
setup Outlook. OWA works fine for this new user.
There are around 30 existing users - which have been setup over the last
year or so - without any problems. I have tried setting up an Outlook 2003
profile for a different (existing user) on this machine, and also for this
new user and an existing user on a different client PC, and I get the same
error. So it seems something in Exchange or AD is broken.
There are no other symptoms (users all logging on OK, email flow fine - it
just seems to be the "check name" that doesn;t work).
Firstly any ideas what may be causing this? I can find nothing on Technet or
Google - there are no event logs updated on the server or client at the time
of the error. DNS etc seems to be fine.
Secondly - Is there a "hack" for configuring the Outlook profile manually
(which does not perform a verification) that may allow me to get the Outlook
profile for a new user configured (they are currently having to use OWA),
until I find out what is causing this.
BTW this is Exchange 2003 on SBS - although presumably this should have no
bearing.
Regards,
Fred

[Wen Sun [MSFT]]

Hi Fred,

Thanks for posting.

I noticed that you have submitted a similar post in smallbizserver news
group. If it is an identical issue, to avoid duplicating the steps and in
efforts to track our troubleshooting process, I suggest you continue to
reply to that post but I will work on this issue with Bill together. It is
our pleasure to be of assistance.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Have a good day!


Thanks & Regards,

Wen Sun
Microsoft Online Partner Support
MCP, MCP+I, MCSE,

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.