Err Msg: Content Advisor Configuration Information Is Missing

ID: Q154999

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you run Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

Content Advisor configuration information is missing. Someone may have tried to tamper with it. You may wish to check the Content Advisor settings.
When you click OK, Internet Explorer can no longer access the Internet.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the ratings system has been enabled and the Ratings.pol file is missing or damaged.


RESOLUTION

Create a new Ratings.pol file. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Quit Internet Explorer.


  2. Check your Windows\System folder to see if a Ratings.pol file exists.

    NOTE: You must be able to view hidden files to view the Ratings.pol file. To view hidden files in My Computer or Windows Explorer, click Options on the View menu in My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the View tab, click to select Show All Files, and then click OK.

    There may not be a Ratings.pol file in the Windows\System folder. If there is no Ratings.pol file, skip to step 3.

    If there is a Ratings.pol file, rename it to Ratings.old.


  3. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Options (or Internet Options) on the View menu.


  4. Click the Content tab, and then click Settings in the Content Advisor area. In Windows 98, click the Content tab, and then click Settings in the Content Advisor area. In Internet Explorer 3.x, click the Security tab, and then click Settings.


  5. Type the Supervisor password, and then click OK.

    NOTE: If you do not know or have forgotten the Supervisor password, please contact a Microsoft Technical support professional for assistance.

    For information about how to contact a Microsoft Technical Support Engineer, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:
    http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp


  6. Select the Ratings options that meet your needs, and then click OK.


When you restart Internet Explorer, the changes take effect.


MORE INFORMATION

Removing and reinstalling Internet Explorer does not resolve this issue.

These steps also prevent the following Content Advisor message from appearing when you attempt to modify ratings in Internet Explorer 3.x:

The saved password and the password you typed do not match.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.01 3.02 4.00 4.01 disable

Keywords : kbtool msiew95 msient win98
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.01,3.02,4.0,4.01,5
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: January 31, 2000
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