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If this is really Exchange 2003, I am not sure that Mail on the Mac supports it. The compatability list says Exchange 2007 and newer. The iPhone on the other hand supports Exchange 2003. I'm not sure why Apple left this gap.

thraxisp, on 25 January 2011 - 05:04 PM, said:

Apple didn't really leave a gap. Mac OS X and iOS access Exchange using two completely separate Microsoft technologies.

Mac OS X uses Exchange Web Services to access Exchange. This is the same technology that Outlook 2011 uses, and it requires Exchange 2007 SP2 UR6 or later. It simply does not exist in Exchange 2003. The only way to access email in Exchange 2003 is via POP or IMAP (well, or DAV, which is what Entourage 2004 and 2008 use, and which can be VERY unreliable... witness so many Exchange/Entourage calendaring issues of yore).

iOS uses Exchange ActiveSync to access Exchange. It works with Exchange 2003 through 2010. There is a lot more functionality available in later Exchange versions.

Why can't Mac OS X use ActiveSync you ask? Well, first it's a mobile-only technology. Given Microsoft licenses it, and I don't believe they'll license it for desktop use, there's your likely answer. But if you're on Exchange 2003, the options for good access from Mac OS X are few, unless the IT staff will allow IMAP or POP access.