IDC Fails to Execute When Access to Httpodbc.dll Is Denied

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 2.0 and 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you execute an Internet Database Connector (.idc) file, your browser may display the following error messages, depending on the authentication method used:

Allow Anonymous Authentication

   Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site
   "http://www.yoursite.com/scripts/filename.idc?" The requested
   header was not found.

Basic and Windows NT Challenge/Response Authentication

A dialog box will prompt you three times for your username and password; then you will get the following error message:

   Error: Access is denied.

CAUSE

Access to the Httpodbc.dll file is required for the .idc file to execute. If permissions for the Httpodbc.dll file have been denied to the IUSR_Computername account for Allow Anonymous access or Microsoft Windows NT users authenticated with Basic or NT Challenge/Response authentication methods, the .idc file will fail to execute and generate the above error message.

WORKAROUND

Grant NTFS read/execute permissions to the Httpodbc.dll file for all users who need to execute .idc files. This includes, but is not limited to the IUSR_Computername account for Anonymous access and any Windows NT user accounts using Basic or Windows NT Challenge/Response authentication methods.

NOTE: By default, the Httpodbc.dll file is installed to the following location:

   %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\INETSRV\HTTPODBC.DLL

Keywords          : kbusage
Version           : WINNT: 2.0,3.0
Platform          : winnt
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbworkaround