Exchange replication tool issue

we’re moving this simple tool to a new server. we have the same settings on the new server as the old one, with same level mapi and cdo objects and exchange 2003 management tools. we’re using this tool to synchronize free busy data between two sites. when starting the service on the new system, the scheduled tasks error out on every run with the following error in the logs “Unable to initialize MAPI interface”. we’re using the same user account, same config files, just a different system.
I searched online and nothing similar to my situation,this still works on the old system which means the settings on the mail server is fine.
any help is much appreciated.