FIX: You receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message and the custom HTTP handler does not run again after you map Aspnet_asapi.dll to .* (834270)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
  • Microsoft ASP.NET (included with the .NET Framework 1.1)
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2003), Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2003), Enterprise Developer Edition
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2003), Enterprise Architect Edition

Notice

For a Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 version of this article, see 829930.

SYMPTOMS

You can configure an HTTP handler to handle all file name extensions that have no mappings. If the handler is configured this way, and you visit a Web site in a virtual directory that contains an application that has no mappings for a specific file name extension, the handler can write a response or redirect your browser as necessary.

However, if you visit a Web site in a virtual directory that contains an application that has no mappings for a specific file name extension, you may receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message instead.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if you visit a URL for a default file that is located in a subfolder that does not exist in the virtual directory that is mapped to the handler.

The first time that your browser requests the URL, the handler responds as expected. If you try to visit a specific .aspx page in the same non-existent folder, you receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message. This is also the expected behavior.

However, if you try to request the original URL that the handler responded to, regardless of whether you reload the page, you receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message for that request instead of the response from the handler that you received on the first visit. The handler will not run again until Microsoft ASP.NET is recycled.

RESOLUTION

Important This software update contains two types of packages: a Microsoft Windows Installer (.msi) package, and an Optional Component Manager (OCM) package. If you use Microsoft Windows Server 2003, you must specify that you require the Windows Server 2003 (OCM) update because Windows Server 2003 File Protection monitors the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 files. If you use an operating system that is different from Windows Server 2003, you must continue to use the Windows Installer package.

Software update information

A supported software update is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This software update may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next .NET Framework 1.1 service pack that contains this software update.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the software update. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: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 usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You may have to restart your computer if any services or applications that use files that appear in the "File information" section of this article are running when you apply this software update.

Software update replacement information

This software update does not replace any other software updates.

File information

The English version of this software update has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version       Size       File name
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   30-Jan-2004  04:16  1.1.4322.995    258,048  Aspnet_isapi.dll
   30-Jan-2004  04:16  1.1.4322.995     20,480  Aspnet_regiis.exe
   30-Jan-2004  04:16  1.1.4322.995     32,768  Aspnet_state.exe
   30-Jan-2004  04:16  1.1.4322.995     32,768  Aspnet_wp.exe
   16-May-2003  00:49                   33,522  Installpersistsqlstate.sql
   16-May-2003  00:49                   34,150  Installsqlstate.sql
   30-Jan-2004  04:06  1.1.4322.995     94,208  Perfcounter.dll
   30-Jan-2004  04:11                    8,571  Smartnav.js
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995  1,220,608  System.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995    241,664  System.messaging.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:15  1.1.4322.995    323,584  System.runtime.remoting.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995    131,072  System.runtime.serialization.formatters.soap.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:15  1.1.4322.995  1,257,472  System.web.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995    819,200  System.web.mobile.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995    569,344  System.web.services.dll
   30-Jan-2004  17:14  1.1.4322.995  1,339,392  System.xml.dll
   30-Jan-2004  04:11                   14,482  Webuivalidation.js

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the terminology that is used to describe Microsoft product updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Steps to reproduce the behavior

  1. Create an HTTP handler. To do this, create a file that is named HandlerError.cs by using the source code that appears at the end of this section.

    For more information about how to create an HTTP handler, see the "References" section of this article.
  2. Create a new Visual C# library project, and then add the file that you created in step 1 to this project.
  3. Create a new C# ASP.NET Web Form application that is named test.

    Note You can make both this project and the project that you created in step 2 part of the same solution.
  4. Add the handler that you created in step 1 to the Web.config file that was created as a part of the Web Form application that you created in step 3. To do this, add the following code to the Web.config file:
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
    		<configuration>
    		     <system.web>
    		          <httpHandlers>
    		               <add verb="*" path="*" type="test.HandlerError,test" />
    		                    </httpHandlers>
    		.
    		.
    		.
    		<system.web>
  5. Use Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Configuration Manager to map all the unknown file name extensions for the Web Form application that you created in step 3 to the Aspnet_isapi.dll file. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. At a command prompt, type inetmgr.exe, and then press ENTER to open IIS Configuration Manager.
    2. Locate and then click the application that you created in step 3.
    3. Right-click the application, and then click Properties.
    4. In the Properties dialog box, click the Virtual Directory tab.
    5. On the Virtual Directory tab, click Configuration.
    6. In the Configuration dialog box, click the Mappings tab.
    7. On the Mappings tab, click Add.
    8. In the Executable box, type the path of the Aspnet_isapi.dll file. For example, type the following:

      C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\aspnet_isapi.dll

    9. In the Extension box, type the following, depending on your operating system:
      • If your computer runs Microsoft Windows XP, type the following:

        .*

      • If your computer runs Microsoft Windows 2000, type the following:

        *

    10. Click to clear the Check that file exists check box.
    11. In all open dialog boxes, click OK until you return to the main IIS Configuration Manager window, and then quit IIS Configuration Manager.
  6. In your browser, open a default file in a subfolder that does not exist under the virtual directory that was created as a part of the Web Form application that you created in step 3. For example, type the following in the address bar and then press ENTER:

    http://localhost/test/folder

    You receive the following response from the handler: Handler Entered:
  7. In your browser, open the following file:

    http://localhost/test/folder/file.aspx

    You receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message.
  8. In your browser, open the following file again, and then reload the page:

    http://localhost/test/folder

    You receive an "HTTP 404 Error" error message instead of the response from the handler that you received in step 6.

Code for HandlerError.cs

	using System;
	using System.Web;
	
	namespace test
	{
	
	        public class HandlerError: IHttpHandler
	        {
	
	
	                bool IHttpHandler.IsReusable
	                {
	                        get {return false;}
	                }
	
	                public HandlerError()
	                {
	                        //
	                        // TODO: Add constructor logic here.
	                        //
	                }
	
	
	                void IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest(HttpContext context)
	                {
	                        context.Response.Write("Handler Entered:");
	                }
	        }
	}

REFERENCES

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307985 INFO: ASP.NET HTTP modules and HTTP handlers overview

308001 HOW TO: Create an ASP.NET HTTP handler by using Visual C# .NET

307997 HOW TO: Create an ASP.NET HTTP handler by using Visual Basic .NET


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/7/2006
Keywords:kbQFE KBHotfixServer kbNetFrame110preSP1fix kbfix kbcode kbBug KB834270 kbAudDeveloper