Hi, In Exchange/Outlook 2010 I have created a DL on my server with a mixed pair of Mailboxes as well as Mail contacts. When I go to the DL properties under the members tab I can see all mail accounts there (those with mailboxes and are part of my domain, as well as the external contacts ex. gamail, hotmail, etc), but when I go to Outlook and hit the New message>To>and select the specific DL from my Global address list I can only see the mail accounts with internal domain mail accounts and not the external gmail or hotmail accounts. Can anyone help me understand why that is or how to rectify the issue. My dilemma is that I need to create a DL for one of my managers with only external/mail accounts (Mail Contacts) and obviously he cannot see any mail addresses in that DL Hope it make sense Thanks

First, how are these contacts defined? Are these external contacts in the Exchange Management Console under contacts? If you turn up diagnostic logging on the OAB Generator do you see any errors related to the distribution groups you are having an issue with? Is your client in cached mode and if so, have you tried non-cached mode? Have you tried to download a new address book to Outlook? Lastly, in Outlook, open up the Address Book and select All Groups. If you open up that group, do you see all the external contacts as well?JAUCG

First off many thanks for your reply, All external accounts are under the Mail Contacts in EMC I have tried both cached and non-cached modes - same result I have downloaded a ne address book to Outlook - same result Under All Groups in Address book I still cant see external contatcs No Errors to be found when running diagnostic logging on OAB Any other suggestions maybe that can help? Thanks

Have you tried the OABInteg tool? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907792 For the OAB Diagnostic logging, what level did you set? Medium, High or other?JAUCG

No I have not tried OABInteg tool - will do just now Logging level was set to medium I'm a bit new to Exchange so I appreciate the help Thanks

Hi, you have to create mailenabled contacts. Therefor use the Exchange Management console - REcipient Configuration - Contact. After that you are able to make them as a memberr of a distributiongroup. It is not enough to create Contacs in Active Directory and adjust the memberrship of a group. regards Thomas Paetzold visit my blog on: http://sus42.wordpress.com Hi Peddy1st, This was exactly where I created the contacts and did add them to the DG I can see them in OAB, but not in Outlook

Set the dianostic logging higher and regenerate the OAB. Do you see any errors? Also, do you see just the external contacts in the Address Book at all? Make sure they are not hidden from the GAL. If you do not see anything when you look at "All Groups" that means the addresses are not in the Group as this is the 'live' view of the GAL.JAUCG

Thanks Jaucg you r da man!! This was my issue - I thought that you can hide a contact from the GAL, but still add/see them in the DG. Apparently not. I assume there is not a way of doing that either,but anyhow many many thanks for all your help I appreciate!!!!! Regards