PRB: Apache Web Server Does Not Load HTC Behaviors (306231)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.5
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 6 (SP1)
This article was previously published under Q306231
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Apache Web server to host a Web page that is linked to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) components (.htc files), the HTC behaviors do not work in Internet Explorer.

CAUSE

The Apache Web server does not have the correct Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) information for the .htc files. The Apache Web server returns the .htc MIME type as:
www/unknown
In Internet Explorer 4.0 and later, MIME-type determination occurs in the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) monikers through the FindMimeFromData method. If the server-provided MIME type is unknown, FindMimeFromData immediately returns this MIME type as the final determination, and does not locate the proper process to handle the .htc files.

Note: The correct MIME type of the .htc file is Text/x-component.

RESOLUTION

You can resolve the problem on the Apache Web server side if you add the correct MIME type for the HTC behavior with the following command:

AddType text/x-component .htc

If the command AddType is not found or is not available, follow these steps to add the MIME type text/x-component for the .htc file manually to the Apache Web server.
  1. Locate the directory /Etc/apache/.
  2. Open the file Mime.types.
  3. Add the following line to the file: text/x-component htc
  4. Save and close the file.
  5. Restart the Apache Web server. The Mime.types file is reloaded after you type: /usr/apache/bin/apachectl restart

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Appendix A: MIME Type Detection in Internet Explorer
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/networking/moniker/overview/appendix_a.asp

Support WebCast: MIME Type Handling in Microsoft Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/webcasts/wc011101/wcblurb011101.asp

HTC Reference
http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/components/htc/reference/htcref.asp

For information about how to add a MIME Type to the Apache Web server, visit the following Apache Web sites:

Apache Server Frequently Asked Questions
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/misc/FAQ.html

AddType directive
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/mod/mod_mime.html#addtype

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/21/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB306231 kbAudDeveloper
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