PRB: CreateObject Fails from Client-Side Scripts (195826)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.01
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.01 SP1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.01 SP2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.01
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.01 SP1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.5
This article was previously published under Q195826

SUMMARY

When you call the CreateObject function from a client-side script, the following error message appears:
ActiveX component can't create object: 'createobject'
This can happen for many reasons. In this case, the script may work locally or when accessed from other computers.

CAUSE

The default security settings for Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 1 (version 4.72.3110.8) are slightly different than Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (version 4.72.2106.8). In the original release of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, the security setting Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe was set to Prompt by default so that users would be prompted whether or not to continue. In Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 1 and later, this option is set to Disable by default.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps on the client computer:
  1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  2. From the Tools menu in Internet Explorer 5 or the View menu in Internet Explorer 4.0, select Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Select Custom (for expert users), and click Settings.
  5. Under the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe option, change the setting from Disable to Prompt. This prompts users to initialize the object.
After you change the setting to Prompt, the CreateObject call should succeed. Internet Explorer will prompt the user about whether it should initialize the object. To eliminate the dialog box, you can change the setting in step 5 from Prompt to Enable.

MORE INFORMATION

This error also occurs when the component is not installed correctly. As a result, the component cannot create the object.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/12/2003
Keywords:kbAutomation kbFAQ kbprb kbScript KB195826
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