XP SP2 Problems with Outlook

[Marcus Feldmore]

Ever since I Updated XP with SP2 some function in Outlook
crash on me. We are running Exchange 5.5 and when my user
goes to Reply to a message or even create a new message
the communaction between exchange and remote user is not
allowed. Is the firewall closing UDP communication? Any
Ideas on how to fix this issue. Thanks for you help

 

[Brian Tillman]

Ever since I Updated XP with SP2 some function in Outlook
crash on me. We are running Exchange 5.5 and when my user
goes to Reply to a message or even create a new message
the communaction between exchange and remote user is not
allowed. Is the firewall closing UDP communication? Any
Ideas on how to fix this issue. Thanks for you help

No need to post more than once.

XP SP2's firewall is stated by Microsoft to cause issues with Outlook. Turn
it off (Control Panel>Performance and Maintenance>Administrative
Tools>Services) and try again.

 

[MS]

No need to post more than once.

I'm sure he didn't purposefully.

XP SP2's firewall is stated by Microsoft to cause issues with Outlook.

Since both products are created by Microsoft, one would think that Microsoft
should have fixed the problem before releasing SP2, no? Either to fix SP2
before releasing it not to conflict with Outlook, or a patch for Outlook to
fix the problem.

Were they in too much of a hurry to release SP2?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Since both products are created by Microsoft, one would think that
Microsoft should have fixed the problem before releasing SP2, no?
Either to fix SP2 before releasing it not to conflict with Outlook,
or a patch for Outlook to fix the problem.

The issue is that XP's firewall's purpose is specifically to block certain
network communication. Outlook requires certain network communications to
work. If Outlook got around the firewall, it would be a security risk. If
the firewall didn't block the specific network activity, it would be a lousy
firewall (and a security risk).

XP's firewall is meant to be a firewall for dummies. Fine control over
network activity is best done by a firewall meant to support that type of
control.

 

[Ed]

Would it not be simple enough to allow the necessary Outlook (Exchange)
traffic through the firewall? Try
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=155831 for help doing this. I
have not done this myself.

Ed

 

[Brian Tillman]

Would it not be simple enough to allow the necessary Outlook
(Exchange) traffic through the firewall?

Perhaps. Like you, I haven't tried it because I don't use XP's firewall.
However, I have seen reports that even when the firewall is modified to
allow Outlook communications, it doesn't work.

 

[AndyMac]

Would it not be simple enough to allow the necessary Outlook (Exchange)
traffic through the firewall?

Yeah, add outlook.exe as an exception. Then add further exceptions for UDP
on Ports 2048 & 2049 (I think, would have to check) and restrict the scope
of these exceptions to your Exchange server. Exchange sends a UDP packet to
Outlook to inform the app that new mail has arrived, if Outlook doesn't
receive these packets it doesn't know new mail's there until you click on
something.

Andy.