IIS5: BOM of UTF-8 Encoded Files Is Treated as Data (301623)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Services 5.0
This article was previously published under Q301623

SYMPTOMS

A file that is saved in UTF-8 encoding usually has a byte-order mark (BOM) at the beginning of the file. IIS treats the three BOM bytes (EF, BB, and BF) as part of the data, which may cause various errors.

For instance, the following Microsoft Visual Basic script saved in UTF-8 encoding causes a "Statement expected" error on the "Option explicit" line to occur. Because of the BOM, the VB script engine is unable to parse the code. 
<%@ Language=VBScript CODEPAGE=65001%><%
Option explicit
......
IIS should remove the BOM before processing the data.

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 2000 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: 
   Date          Time    Version         Size      File name
   ------------------------------------------------------------
   20-Jun-2001   17:59   5.0.2195.3763   332,560   Asp.dll
   29-May-2001   10:04   5.0.2195.3649   299,792   Fscfg.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649     8,464   Ftpctrs2.dll
   29-May-2001    8:22   5.0.2195.3649     6,416   Ftpmib.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649     9,488   Httpmib.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649    13,584   Infoadmn.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649   245,520   Infocomm.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649    62,736   Isatq.dll
   29-May-2001   10:02   5.0.2195.3649     7,440   W3ctrs.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Internet Information Services 5.0.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

249149 Installing Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Hotfixes

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/6/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbQFE kbWin2000PreSP3Fix KB301623
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