There are several documents and hotfixes from Microsoft to fix various glitches with the POP3 connector, but some problems are beyond the scope of these documents.

 

For example:

  • the POP3 Connector sends a blank password to the POP3 server (verify this with a network sniffer)
  • You're getting "MMC has detected an error in a snap-in", but KB921096 is installed, or not applicable to your version.

Given these types of errors, frequently the only real solution is to uninstall and reinstall the POP3 connector, but there is no uninstaller.  It must be done manually.

 

Try the following solutions in order, until the problem goes away:

 

Solution 1: Repair the POP3 connector on Small Business Server:

  1. Run IMBREG.exe in \Program files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Networking\Pop3 folder to re-register the various POP3 dlls.
  2. Restart the Microsoft Connector for POP3 Mailboxes Service and the SMTP virtual server
    (Exchange System Manager->Administrative Groups->first administrative group->Servers->[Your Server name]->Protocols->SMTP->Default SMTP Virtual Server.)
  3. Run iisreset from a command prompt.


Solution 2: If the connector still doesn't work, reinstall the POP3 Connector:

  1. Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Networking and rename the POP3 folder to something else, like POP3_broken.
  2. Open regedit, and find the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SmallBusinessServer\Network branch. This should contain a key named POP3 Connector.
  3. Export the POP3 Connector key to a backup. This is important, as you may need this backup to get the POP3 Connector working at the end of this repair. Delete the POP3 Connector key and close regedit.
  4. In Windows Explorer, show hidden and system files in the Folder Options dialog.
  5. Search for and delete all SIT*.tmp folders.  Make sure you search hidden and system files/folders.
  6. Insert the SBS 2003 Disk 3, and go to the \SBS\POP3 folder on the CD.  Run the POP3.MSI file, and you should see some install progress.

NOTE: If starting the POP3 Connector manager at this point results in it flashing on the screen for a split second, then disappearing, you may need to restore the POP3 Connector registry key from the backup. (You did make the recommended backup, right?)

 

You might also need to manually create the Failed Mail and Incoming Mail folders in the \Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Networking\POP3 folder.

 

Solution 3: If step 6 of solution 2 gives you an error, perform the following to reinstall
Exchange over itself.

Go to Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs.  Select "Windows Small Business Server 2003" and click Change/Remove. This will enter into the Integrated Setup and the Component Selection screen.

Select Networking and Exchange Server for "reinstall".

 

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