IISAdmin Fails to Start When the Metabase Is Too Large (252174)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q252174

SYMPTOMS

If the metabase is too large to complete the initialization in the Service Control Manager timeout window, the IISAdmin service cannot be started.

When you start the IISAdmin service from the command line, the following error message occurs:
The IIS Admin Service service could not be started.

CAUSE

When the service starts, the Service Control Manager is notified that you are going to start in xx seconds or less. This time is hard-coded in the IISAdmin service to 10,000 milliseconds, which is not enough time if the metabase is too large.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Version      Size    File name     Platform
   -------------------------------------------
   4.2.741.1    17,952  Iisadmin.dll  x86
   4.2.741.1    29,456  Iisadmin.dll  Alpha

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Internet Information Server 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

This fix is implemented by adding two registry values, one to allow you to modify the time for the service to start, and one for you to modify the time for it to stop.
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
  2. Locate the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Iisadmin\Parameters

  3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

    Value Name: WaitHintStart
    Data Type: REG_DWORD
    Value: <Time to wait for service to start in milliseconds>

    Value Name: WaitHintStop
    Data Type: REG_DWORD
    Value: <Time to wait for service to stop in milliseconds>

  4. Quit Registry Editor.
To estimate what numbers should be entered for the Value, Microsoft recommends that you perform the following steps:
  1. Add the previous registry values, and then change the Value to a large number.
  2. Start the service, and then time how long it takes to start.
  3. Modify the numbers according to the amount of time that you think it will take to start. Over estimate the time, because if the service ever takes longer to start, then the W3svc service or any of the other dependants services will not start.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/6/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbQFE KB252174
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