You receive a "The page cannot be displayed" error message when you access a Web site that is hosted on a Windows XP SP2-based computer (884488)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.1

SYMPTOMS

When you host a Web site on a computer that is running Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 5.1, and you apply Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 to the computer, you may receive the following error message when you access the site:
The page cannot be displayed. Can't find server or DNS error.
If you use the local browser, you can display the page.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because installing Service Pack 2 for Windows XP Professional enables the Windows Firewall. By default, the Windows Firewall blocks most incoming traffic, including the HTTP protocol and the HTTPS protocol. The HTTP protocol and the HTTPS protocol are used to access a Web site.

Note Windows Firewall replaces Internet Connection Firewall. Internet Connection Firewall is included with Windows XP.
To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Configure Windows Firewall to enable HTTP traffic

To configure Windows Firewall to enable HTTP traffic, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
  2. On the Exceptions tab, click Add Port.
  3. In the Name box, type HTTP. In the Port box, type 80.
Note This procedure enables HTTP traffic. If you also require HTTPS traffic for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) sites, repeat these steps, but type HTTPS in the Name box, and then type 443 in the Port box.

Method 2: Configure network settings

To configure network settings, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
  2. On the Advanced tab under Network Connection Settings, click your network connection, and then click Settings.
  3. On the Services tab, click Web Server (HTTP), and then click OK.

    Note If you must also enable HTTPS traffic for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) sites, click both Secure Web Server (HTTPS) and Web Server (HTTP).

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/28/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB884488 kbAudDeveloper
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.