Some IEs download instead of execute my CGI program

[rzward]

Hello,

I am have a problem with 2 Internet Explorer machines that download instead of execute a CGI executable script (.exe) program on an IIS 5.0 Web server. On these 2 machines, when a submit button is clicked on a form that references my CGI program or when the URL of the CGI program is typed directly in the address box of the browser, the IE 5.5 browsers download instead of execute the CGI program.

On both of these machines when Netscape is used instead of IE 5.5, the CGI program is executed properly. Other machines on the same network using IE 5.5 execute the CGI program properly.

So, I figured it has to do with the Integrated Windows Authentication feature of IIS 5 which tries to work with IE to use the person's login account to run the CGI program. To prevent this from happening, using the Internet Information Services program, I had all authentication methods for the file turned off except Anonymous Access.

The NTFS permissions of the CGI program file allow the Internet Guest account to read & execute and read the file.

My understanding is that when Anonymous access is the only authentication method for a cgi program, the cgi program runs using the Internet Guest account, no matter who is logged in and no matter what browser is used. I must be wrong.

Yet IE on these 2 machines continues to download instead of execute the CGI program.

Is there something else I can try? Is this not just an IIS issue?

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.

Richard

 

[GiaBetiu]

Your problem is just a configuration issue of the IE in those computers.
When you are clicking on an ".exe" file the normal behaviour is to be asked:
Want to save or want to open. There is also a checkbox there, that will cancel this dialog box, using always that setting.
How to reset that, should be an option in registry. Seeing the behavior it seems that is a seting that is recorded in user profile. Gia Betiu
giabetiu@chello.nl
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, soon MCSE2k

 

[rzward]

Gia,

Thank you for your reply.

I have searched the Advanced options and the Security options in IE's Internet Options dialog box for a setting that might cause these 2 computers to download instead of execute a CGI program. I'll search the registry as well.

Is it really true that IE can control whether or not a CGI program referenced in the form action tag of an HTML file is to be downloaded instead of run when the form's Submit button is clicked?

I do see a setting that prevents the CGI program from being run in the Security tab's Custom Level options. But I've tested toggling this option and it doesn't cause the program to be downloaded.

This seems rather odd, making it difficult to justify using an executable program as a CGI script because there may be IE browsers out there like these 2 that download instead of run the script.

Is there a setting in MS IIS that forces the CGI program to be run?

Thanks again.

Richard

 

[GiaBetiu]

Because is hapen just on 2 computers for sure is a setting from those systems.
I'm wondering, if you are making a test page, with a link to an exe file, and you are clicking on it,. what will be the answer? Gia Betiu
giabetiu@chello.nl
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, soon MCSE2k

 

[rzward]

Gia,

The result of clicking on a link to an exe file is the same: the Save As dialog box appears.

I believe clicking on a link is the same as typing the URL directly in the address box of the browser, which GETs the script program rather than POSTs to it.

I just got another piece of information: if the submit button is clicked and the Save As dialog box appears and then if the save button is clicked on the Save As dialog box, the script is actually run but without the form's information. Then, if the browser's back button is used and the submit button is clicked again, the script program runs normally.

I do not yet know if this permanently changes the behavior of the browser. That is, if the browser is closed and then opened again, does the Save As dialog box appear when the submit button is clicked -- I'm trying to get that information now.

Richard