Missing Calendar Appointments - One last update.

We have found a way to undo the service pack modification byediting the registry, but it is not intended as a final fix/adjustment/correction for the problem. Also, Ihave noticed users are more likely to experience this situation when updating appointments from the Docket Tab in TrialWorks, simply because of the nature of the system. So, these 3 articles apply to new appointments (Outlook and TrialWorks), and updates (Outlook and TrialWorks).

As far as changing the registry key - use it as a temporary solution. The final fix is is really to educate users and change your internal work-flow processes to accomodate the changing technology.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.This step-by-step article describes how to add, modify, or delete registry subkeys and values by using a Registration Entries (.reg) file. Regedit.exe uses .reg files to import and export registry subkeys and values. You can use these .reg files to remotely distribute registry changes to several Windows-based computers. When you run a .reg file, the file contents merge into the local registry. Therefore, you must distribute .reg files with caution.

Description of the Microsoft Windows registry
(256986) - Describes the Microsoft Windows registry and provides information on how to edit it.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/en-us

How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
(322756) - Explains how to export or backup the registry in case something goes wrong when you edit the registry and you must restore the registry.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/en-us

So - here is the key:

Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options\Calendar DWORD: DisableMeetingRegeneration Values: 1 = revert to the pre-SP2 behavior; 0 = use the new SP2 behavior

-Karl

Missing Calendar Appointments in Outlook: UPDATE

While dealing with the disappearing calendar appointment issue we've learned a lot from the Microsoft Developer websites. Mainly, Outlook and Exchange handle calendar appointments differently now, and it is imperative that you DO NOT DELETE Accept/Decline e-mail messages unless you want the relative calendar appointment to vanish from the calendar. Here is a short summary of the current situation:

1. That things are different now, since Outlook 2003 Service Pack 2 and Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2. The entire meeting request process is handled differently, and helps account for the behaviour. Different does not mean wrong - something we may have to get used to.
2. TrialWorks can automatically resolve this issue. In Admin > Edit Global Settings > Global Defaults > E-mail Tab > Invite as Resource checkbox.
   If you choose to use this option, every Outlook appointment generated through TrialWorks will be sent to people in a different format, bypassing the ACCEPT / DECLINE error message. This setting is global, so you would have to first alert all users of the changes.
3. In order to have Outlook invite users as Resources you must go through these steps:
   - Create New Appointment
   - Hit the TO box
   - Change to Scheduling Tab
   - Click Add Others button
   - Choose Add from Address List option
   - Select the name(s) you want.
   - Click the Resources button
4. If you delete the messages in your inbox without Accepting / Declining you will loose the calendar from your appointment. We're still looking for a possible work around, but for the time being users have take caution.
5. This is especially critical for BlackBerry users that can easily delete their calendar appointments. BlackBerry offers this information: Click here for a BlackBerry article

This article helps explain a lot: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/899919/en-us but its more technical.

- Karl

Missing Calendar Appointments in Outlook

I have recently discovered an anomaly in Microsoft Outlook 2003 in which Calendar Appointments disappear from personal calendars. At this point I suspect a vast number of users that may experience this issue. Although we are researching this further to find the root cause, I've so far learned of similar problems fixed by a hot-fix for Microsoft Exchange 2003.

This is what you can do to see the problem.

1. Go to your personal calendar in Outlook 2003.
2. Create a new appointment, and invite someone else in the office.
3. Make sure that the other person has Auto Accept enabled. Also, for test purposes, choose a time that will not conflict with anything on the invitees calendar.
4. Send the appointment.
5. At this point the other user will see the appointment on their calendar, but will also have an ACCEPT notice in their inbox.
6. If you DELETE the inbox message, you will also delete this appointment.

This is especially critical when UPDATES are being sent to appointments, which they often are when Docket Entries are changed in TrialWorks.

I've learned of a Microsoft Exchange Hotfix that we are currently testing to see if it resolves the issue. Keep reading my blog for more details, I'll post them as they come about.

Related KB Articles:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899704/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883672/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894470/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889097/en-us

- Karl J

Welcome to our new blog!

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