Need help ASAP Service Unavailable in production

[MrHelpMe]

Hello everyone,

Nobody can seem to figure this problem out. To explain, we have server opearting with windows server 2003 and iis6.0. For some reason, without any noticeable pattern, users occasionally get a Service Unavailable error and cannot view not only the desired web application, but also all applications associated to our intranet. The fix has been to restart the World Wide Web Publishing service. However, this a production server and the failure of our intranet is totally unacceptable. I have applied the following fix located at

http://www.kbalertz.com/kb_885654.aspx.

However, the server hosting the web site is not a domain controller but I applied the fix regardless because I felt this might fix the issue. Also, after the noted fix was applied, we did not receive this error for about 1 week until today. Does anybody have any suggestions. Please and thanks.

 

[Serbtastic]

Did you check the event logs (both application and system)? Did you check the IIS logs (C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles)? Any errors in any of these?

 

[MrHelpMe]

Thanks for replying serbtastic,

I did check the event logs and received this for the system error log.
Application pool 'ReportExplorerAppPool' is being automatically disabled due to a series of failures in the processes serving that application pool.

To let you know, the 'ReportExplorerAppPool' was a pool our senior developer created. There was not much to creating this as I watched him. He did this because we after receiveing the service unavailable to see if it would fix the problem.

As for the log files, I do not see any errors, just calls to the pages. Should I be looking for something specific Serbtastic.

Thanks again.

 

[colincb]

you may need to edit the 'machine.config' file.

C:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\CONFIG.
Open machine.config
find "<processmodel"
In processModel change userName from 'machine' to userName="system"
Save and exit, restart IIS... iisreset.exe

I had exactly the same problem and this worked. May be a security issue as 'system' has a very high access level.

 

[MrHelpMe]

Thanks Colincb for the reply. I tried to do what you requested but I do not see the folder c:\WinNT. My server is a windows 2003 server. Does this make a difference for your fix. Just checking. Thanks.

 

[colincb]

Mine is 2003 as well...try c:\windows\...
BTW open machine.config with notepad.exe

 

[MrHelpMe]

Thanks Colincb,

Do you have any idea why this will work. The reason I ask, is I will need to run this by my senior developer and see what he says. But I'm sure he will ask me why by changing this page, the service unavailable will be fixed. I asking just in case he wants a reason. If not no probs I will still ask. Thanks again Colincb.

 

[MrHelpMe]

Sorry Colincb,

Actually took a look at your answer again and I forgot to mention that the application is written in asp and not Dot Net. Will this make a difference. If it does, do you have any suggestions for ASP apps. Thanks again.

 

[colincb]

it is all security related. the account accessing the web page needs to have a higher level of permissions. In IIS admin\Application pools check the identity_tab using either default_app_pool or MSsharePoint, try changing this to LocalSystem...also check permissions on your web folders make sure the built-in web account(IUSR and IWAM) have enough access rights. as I said it is all security related I spent a lot of time getting all our web sites up and running on 2003.

 

[teekow]

Salvatore

Did this end up solving your issue? I am running a Nortel Web app and am having the same problem. Hopefully you have fixed it and confirm the problem/solution.

Thanks
Teekow

 

[MrHelpMe]

Hi Teekow,

To be quite honest, I have not made the change because I have not encountered this problem again. This could be due to a number of reasons though. Users may not be using the tool as much as before. May not be running the report that I think is causing the issue etc. So to answer you question I have not made the change yet. I am waiting for the issue to happen again and then I will definitely apply the security permissions. I have complete faith that the fix colincb recommended will work. I was just instructed by my manager to hold off until the issue happens again.

 

[teekow]

I am somewhat in the same situation. I applied the Microsoft fix and the problem came back once 3 days later. Now, it has been 3 days again and it has not come back yet. I will probably wait to see if it happens again and try this fix. I will post the results if needed. I would be interested to have you do the same if it comes to that in your situation.

Thanks
Teekow