Hi. Very good stuff (!!), but it looks like the most important #1 step isn't mentioned, I missed it, or our friendly local Exchange PFEs gave us some incorrect info. :)
Does the error say...
Outlook is retrieving data from the Microsoft Exchange Server <ServerHostName>. You can cancel the request or minimize this message to the Windows taskbar until Outlook closes the message automatically.
...Or...
Outlook is retrieving data from the Microsoft Exchange Server <ServerHostname.f.q.d.n>. You can cancel the request or minimize this message to the Windows taskbar until Outlook closes the message automatically.
Doesn't this usually mean the difference between you troubleshooting an issue with Outlook connectivity to the Exchange server versus Outlook connectivity to a Global Catalog?
Thank you.