Error: "Object reference not set to an instance of an object" (4236522)

When gathering against Exchange 2010, the Exchange Databases task fails with the error: "Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

This can occurr if the Powershell Execution Policy on the MessageStats server is set to restricted. The MessageStats server cannot create a remote powershell session with the exchange server.

OR

The task credentials need to be refreshed.

Verify remote powershell is not working:

1. Open Powershell on the MessageStats server
2. Type $cred = Get-Credential and hit enter
3. Type the MessageStats service account credentials and click OK
4. Type $session = New-PSSession -configurationname Microsoft.Exchange -connectionURI http://<servername>/PowerShell, replacing <servername> with the name of a mailbox server, and hit enter
5. Type Import-PSSession $session

If you get an error from Powershell stating an issue with the Execution Policy being set to Restricted or something similar, change the Execution Policy to Unrestricted:

1. Open Powershell
2. Type Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted and hit enter
3. Type Y and hit enter to confirm the change

After the Execution Policy has been changed, run the gathering again and confirm the Exchange Databases task completes successfully.

If the Exchange Databases task still fails or the Powershell Execution Policy did not need to be changed, refresh the task credentials:

1. Open the MessageStats console
2. Right click the Tasks node and select Properties
3. Select the Task Credentials tab
4. Re-enter the service account credentials and click OK