DOCUMENT:Q226474 04-FEB-2000 [iis] TITLE :Err Msg: Active Server Pages, ASP 0131 Disallowed Parent Path PRODUCT :Internet Information Server PROD/VER:winnt:4.0;5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0 - Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you use relative paths in include statements with Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP), browsing a Web page may return an error message similar to the following: Active Server Pages, ASP 0131 Disallowed Parent Path The Include file '../' cannot contain '..' to indicate the parent directory. //, line CAUSE ===== This is caused by disabling ASP's "parent paths" for a Web site or application while using relative parent paths in an include statement. Relative parent paths in include statements use the following form: RESOLUTION ========== The best solution to the problem is to use absolute virtual paths from the root of the Web site instead of relative paths. For example, if you use an include file named "foo.inc" at the root of your server, the virtual path would be "/foo.inc." If you use the same include file in a virtual directory named "/includes" on your server, the virtual path would be "/includes/foo.inc." The syntax example below illustrates how to implement virtual paths: An alternative to using absolute virtual paths is to enable parent paths; however, this is not the preferred method. (See the notes in the More Information section for details.) This is accomplished for your default Web site by using the following steps: 1. Open the Internet Services Manager in the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). 2. Right-click on your Default Web Site and select Properties. 3. Click the Home Directory tab. 4. Click the Configuration button. 5. Click the App Options tab. 6. Click to select the Enable Parent Paths checkbox. 7. Click the OK button until you return to the MMC. MORE INFORMATION ================ : There are additional security considerations to be considered when enabling parent paths on an IIS computer. For more information, please see the following Knowledge Base article: Q184717 AspEnableParentPaths MetaBase Property Should Be Set To False ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbiisSearch kbiis500 kbiis400 Version : winnt:4.0;5.0 Issue type : kbprb Solution Type : kbpending ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.