"Failed to create 'CertificateAuthority.Request' object" error message when a user tries to create a Server Authentication Certificate by using the server's enrollment pages (840690)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

When a user who is running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 tries to create and to submit a Server Authentication Certificate by using the server's enrollment pages, they may receive one of the following error messages:
Failed to create 'CertificateAuthority.Request' object.
Error Your request failed. An error occurred while the server was processing your request. Contact your administrator for further assistance.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the Enable Session State check box is not selected in the application configuration properties of the site where the Certificate Server service is running. The Microsoft Windows 2000 Certificate Server service uses session states to pass the request to the processing page.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, click to select the Enable Session State check box in the application configuration properties of the site where the Certificate Server service is running. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Services Manager.
  2. Right-click the site where the Certificate Server service is running, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Home Directory tab, and then under App Settings, click Configuration.
  4. Click the Application Options tab, and then click to select the Enable Session State check box.
  5. Restart the Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) service.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2005
Keywords:kbnetwork kbwinservnetwork kberrmsg kbprb KB840690
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