Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is / can
be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or .NET
would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

A crude way would be to just to look for the registry key -
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exc hange Provider

- if the default is null, then it's not available I guess?

I'd like a more elegant way, if it's available.

--
IL Thomas
"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is / can
be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or .NET
would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER propperty. I
am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a distinction - for all
practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not at all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is / can
be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or .NET
would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version (2000/XP/2003
would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding and understanding
the documentation of Outlook, compared with other Office products. I will
have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not Exchange-connected),
such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange
Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER propperty.
I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a distinction - for all
practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not at all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is / can
be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or .NET
would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of my
address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even though my
own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you more, not less,
so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an artificial limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding
and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with other Office
products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange
Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not at
all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

Dmitry
OK, point taken. I guess that means getting the CDOEX redistributable.
I see that it's installed on my system (I assume that Microsoft CDO for
Exchange 2000 Library (cdosys.dll) at ' %windir%\system32\cdosys.dll ,
v6.2.2.0 - 2,067,968 bytes - is the thing). I don't have Exchange
installed, so I assume it was placed there by Office 2003 installation - is
that right?
Although i'm convinced I'm better off using VSTO and .NET 2.0 and I assume
that the Office 2003 PIAs includes CDOEX, if I were to code in say VB6 where
would I get the CDOEX redistributable?

I had a quick look at your website and yu've certainly extended and made
easier some of the arcane Outlook / Exchange object models.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of
my address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even though
my own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you more, not
less, so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an artificial
limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding
and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with other
Office products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange
Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not at
all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

Dmitry - I'm struggling here!

How can I use the PR_MDB_PROVIDER property?

(see ' *********************** below)

For testing, I'm playing around using VB.NET, .NET 2.0 - I have something
like this -

Imports Outlook = Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook
' For registry keys
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports Microsoft.Win32
' Just experimenting
Imports MAPI.CdoPropTags
'
Module Module1

Function isExchangeInstalled() As Boolean
Dim Value As Object = ""
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, _
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider",
"(Default)", Value)
Dim sMsg As String = ""
If Value = "" Then
sMsg = "(NULL)"
isExchangeInstalled = False
Console.WriteLine("Exchange is NOT installed on this machine")
Else
sMsg = Value.ToString
isExchangeInstalled = True
End If
End Function

Sub Main()
' We don't want the hassles of running this on a machine connected (or
even offline) to an Exchange Server
If isExchangeInstalled() = True Then
Exit Sub
End If

' Create Outlook application
Dim oApp As Outlook.Application = New Outlook.Application()
' Get Mapi NameSpace and Logon
Dim oNS As Outlook.NameSpace = oApp.GetNamespace("MAPI")
oNS.Logon(Missing.Value, Missing.Value, True, True)

' I have no idea how to use this, and the following snippet crashes of
course
' ************************************************** *********
' PR_MDB_PROVIDER ' MAPI.CdoPropTags
Dim prv As MAPI.InfoStore ' = Nothing
If prv.ProviderName.ToString = CdoPR_MDB_PROVIDER Then ' compiler doesn't
like this
MsgBox("provider")
End If

' ************************************************** *********

..... etc ....
(all the rest just looks at Contacts, DistLists, enumerates the members,
etc)

End Sub ' Main

End Module

--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of
my address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even though
my own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you more, not
less, so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an artificial
limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding
and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with other
Office products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange
Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not at
all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

CDOEX is nether used nor installed by Outlook.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry
OK, point taken. I guess that means getting the CDOEX redistributable.
I see that it's installed on my system (I assume that Microsoft CDO for
Exchange 2000 Library (cdosys.dll) at ' %windir%\system32\cdosys.dll ,
v6.2.2.0 - 2,067,968 bytes - is the thing). I don't have Exchange
installed, so I assume it was placed there by Office 2003 installation -
is that right?
Although i'm convinced I'm better off using VSTO and .NET 2.0 and I assume
that the Office 2003 PIAs includes CDOEX, if I were to code in say VB6
where would I get the CDOEX redistributable?

I had a quick look at your website and yu've certainly extended and made
easier some of the arcane Outlook / Exchange object models.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of
my address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even
though my own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you
more, not less, so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an
artificial limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding
and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with other
Office products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine,
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not
at all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

PR_MDB_PROVIDER is only accessible using Extended MAPI (C++ or Delphi), CDO
1.21 or Redemption. Outlook Object Model won't help since it does not
provide access to the arbitrary MAPI properties.
Have a look at stores/folders/messages with MFCMAPI or OutlookSpy
plugRedemption explicitly exposes RDOStore.StoreKind enum property
(http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/rdo/rdostore.htm)/plug

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry - I'm struggling here!

How can I use the PR_MDB_PROVIDER property?

(see ' *********************** below)

For testing, I'm playing around using VB.NET, .NET 2.0 - I have something
like this -

Imports Outlook = Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook
' For registry keys
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports Microsoft.Win32
' Just experimenting
Imports MAPI.CdoPropTags
'
Module Module1

Function isExchangeInstalled() As Boolean
Dim Value As Object = ""
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, _
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider",
"(Default)", Value)
Dim sMsg As String = ""
If Value = "" Then
sMsg = "(NULL)"
isExchangeInstalled = False
Console.WriteLine("Exchange is NOT installed on this machine")
Else
sMsg = Value.ToString
isExchangeInstalled = True
End If
End Function

Sub Main()
' We don't want the hassles of running this on a machine connected (or
even offline) to an Exchange Server
If isExchangeInstalled() = True Then
Exit Sub
End If

' Create Outlook application
Dim oApp As Outlook.Application = New Outlook.Application()
' Get Mapi NameSpace and Logon
Dim oNS As Outlook.NameSpace = oApp.GetNamespace("MAPI")
oNS.Logon(Missing.Value, Missing.Value, True, True)

' I have no idea how to use this, and the following snippet crashes of
course
' ************************************************** *********
' PR_MDB_PROVIDER ' MAPI.CdoPropTags
Dim prv As MAPI.InfoStore ' = Nothing
If prv.ProviderName.ToString = CdoPR_MDB_PROVIDER Then ' compiler
doesn't like this
MsgBox("provider")
End If

' ************************************************** *********

.... etc ....
(all the rest just looks at Contacts, DistLists, enumerates the members,
etc)

End Sub ' Main

End Module

--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of
my address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even
though my own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you
more, not less, so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an
artificial limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with finding
and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with other
Office products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine,
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not
at all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to use
offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas

Outlook 2033 - detect if Exchange is available
 

Yes, in what is presented below I am using CDO 1.21 - as the "Imports
MAPI.CdoPropTags" line shows.
' .NET Assemblies showing as MAPI: Microsoft CDO 1.21 Library
' .NET Assemblies showing as CDO: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Library
(I haven't attempted to set a refernce to the latter)

C++ is too foreign for me.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
PR_MDB_PROVIDER is only accessible using Extended MAPI (C++ or Delphi),
CDO 1.21 or Redemption. Outlook Object Model won't help since it does not
provide access to the arbitrary MAPI properties.
Have a look at stores/folders/messages with MFCMAPI or OutlookSpy
plugRedemption explicitly exposes RDOStore.StoreKind enum property
(http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/rdo/rdostore.htm)/plug

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry - I'm struggling here!

How can I use the PR_MDB_PROVIDER property?

(see ' *********************** below)

For testing, I'm playing around using VB.NET, .NET 2.0 - I have something
like this -

Imports Outlook = Microsoft.Office.Interop.Outlook
' For registry keys
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports Microsoft.Win32
' Just experimenting
Imports MAPI.CdoPropTags
'
Module Module1

Function isExchangeInstalled() As Boolean
Dim Value As Object = ""
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine, _
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider",
"(Default)", Value)
Dim sMsg As String = ""
If Value = "" Then
sMsg = "(NULL)"
isExchangeInstalled = False
Console.WriteLine("Exchange is NOT installed on this machine")
Else
sMsg = Value.ToString
isExchangeInstalled = True
End If
End Function

Sub Main()
' We don't want the hassles of running this on a machine connected (or
even offline) to an Exchange Server
If isExchangeInstalled() = True Then
Exit Sub
End If

' Create Outlook application
Dim oApp As Outlook.Application = New Outlook.Application()
' Get Mapi NameSpace and Logon
Dim oNS As Outlook.NameSpace = oApp.GetNamespace("MAPI")
oNS.Logon(Missing.Value, Missing.Value, True, True)

' I have no idea how to use this, and the following snippet crashes of
course
' ************************************************** *********
' PR_MDB_PROVIDER ' MAPI.CdoPropTags
Dim prv As MAPI.InfoStore ' = Nothing
If prv.ProviderName.ToString = CdoPR_MDB_PROVIDER Then ' compiler
doesn't like this
MsgBox("provider")
End If

' ************************************************** *********

.... etc ....
(all the rest just looks at Contacts, DistLists, enumerates the members,
etc)

End Sub ' Main

End Module

--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
I still wouldn't limit my app's market because of that - e.g. a couple of
my address book providers return AddressEntry.Manager just fine even
though my own address book is used, not GAL. In this case EX gives you
more, not less, so there is absolutely no reason to introduce an
artificial limitation.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
Dmitry, thank you for your reply.
At present, I want to limit my small application to non-Exchange
environments. Also, I probably need to detect Outlook version
(2000/XP/2003 would be the versions). I have great troubles with
finding and understanding the documentation of Outlook, compared with
other Office products. I will have to check out your website.
I'm finding some problems distinguishing properties for (for example)
AddressBook that are Exchange-only vs single-user (not
Exchange-connected), such as Outlook.AddressEntry.Manager
Right now, my crude way to see if the user's Outlook is NOT
Exchange-connected is to check the registry using a simple .NET routine
based on System.Diagnostics and Microsoft.Win32
ReadRegistry(Registry.LocalMachine,
"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider", "(Default)", Value)
and just check the value it returns.
--
Ian Thomas

"Dmitry Streblechenko" wrote in message
...
On the Extended MAPI level, you can look at the PR_MDB_PROVIDER
propperty. I am not sure I unxdderstand why you want to make a
distinction - for all practical purposes, caches Exchange mode is not
at all different from PST.

Dmitry Streblechenko (MVP)
http://www.dimastr.com/
OutlookSpy - Outlook, CDO
and MAPI Developer Tool

"gxdata" wrote in message
...
I can't locate any objects that will let me know whether Exchange is /
can be connected to Outlook 2003.
I want to deal only with a single-user (ie, not / never connected to
Exchange), so that I know to use local Contacts folders and not to
use offline or other Exchange-type addresslists etc.
I'm using VB.NET but anything that points me to a solution in VBA or
.NET would be much appreciated.

--
IL Thomas