OWA Loading... when using SSL, fine without!!!

Try Going into IIS and allow anonymous access to the ExchWeb folder.  This sometimes happens because the IUSR_<MACHINENAME> user password gets changed by an install.  Or you could change the IUSR_<MACHINENAME> user password then just go in and change the password in IIS.

If this doesn't work let me know.

Thanks,
Dan

Hi Jeff and Dan,

Thanks for your quick responses.  Firstly Jeff, the first article relates two front end and back end exchange environments, we only have the one exchange server.  The second article I referenced in my question indicating that I've been through these with no success.  Dan, anon access is already granted to the Exchweb folder for the IUSR account which I know works with it's default password which I'd rather not change if possible.

So any other options or advice guys and girls?

Thanks in advance
Neilos

Sorry about that, I grabbed the wrong link... it should have been http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842470

But it's interesting that you actually know the IUSR account password.  Did you change it once already?  If so, did you also change it in the IIS Metabase as well?  (See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sms/smssp2/spsecurity/81bd4dfa-0644-4bc2-afa5-1eadc86016ae.mspx?mfr=true)

Jeff
TechSoEasy

A misunderstanding sorry, I didn't say I know the IUSR password, I'm saying I know that it works and that I'd rather not change it for that reason and as it's also used elsewhere in IIS with other sites.

We don't use any Trend Micro software on the server or our clients, we use Symantec Corporate Anti Virus as our security solution.

Any other ideas?

Thanks again
Neilos

I probably should have first had you reinstall the patch from KB831464 as that's what's most often broken in OWA and reinstallation is never a problem.  See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/831464

There are also some post SP1 patches that can fix issues such as this which may have already been applied but do break sometimes.  But these are covered by reapplying Exchange SP2 if you've already installed SP2, or if you haven't then you should.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

I tried the patch and the workaround in the link you suggested but no luck, the patch won't install due to a later SP installed, it's SBS 2003 R2 SP2.  Exchange is running SP2, are you suggesting reinstalling the Exchange SP2, is it easy?
Any other suggestions welcome

Thanks again
Neilos

Yes, reinstalling Exchange SP2 will take you all of about 15 minutes.  No reboot.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

There doesn't seem to be any documentation on how to uninstall SP2, please can you help?

Nothing was said about UNINSTALLING it.  You just install it again over the top.  Run the update.exe file in the Setup Folder.  Many Service Packs can't be uninstalled, but they often have to be reinstalled if a major change breaks them.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

I reinstalled SP2 on the server and retested OWA and the same loading... message comes up internally and externally so it seems that hasn't fixed it unfortunately.

Any other ideas?
Thanks again in advance
Neilos

The next step would be to reset Exchange's IIS Virtual folders.  

This would be done by following this KB article:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883380

If that is unsuccessful, then you must reinstall IIS and Exchange following http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320202

Jeff
TechSoEasy

I've already reset the folders, tried it a couple of times even with separete websites in IIS (not the default) and still no success, looks like an Exchange reinstall is the only thing left.

I'll let you know how I go.
Thanks
Neilos

What do you mean "not the default"???  OWA cannot be moved from the Default Web Site.  So if you've modified that in any way you must reinstall per KB320202.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

This can happen sometimes also when the OWA site is in the wrong Security Zone in IE
Give this a whirl:
1. Go to the Security tab in Internet Options and select Trusted Sites.
2. Click on the Sites button.
3. Add your OWA site (internal and external URL).  You will probably have to uncheck the box to require SSL.
3. Click Close then Click the Custom Level for the Trusted Sites.
4. Make sure that Active Scripting is enabled (In the "Scripting" section.

You could also just change the level or all internet sites and intranet sites to enable Active scripting.

Thanks,
Dan

Hi All,

I know by default OWA is installed in the Default Web Site in IIS but if you create another HTTP server in System Manager you can have it in it's own website in IIS rather than the default, I tried both with no success.

I've also added the internal and external URLs to trusted sites and enabled scripting but still no success.

Any other alternatives guys?
Thanks again
Neil

"but if you create another HTTP server in System Manager you can have it in it's own website in IIS rather than the default"

Do you know this to be true on an SBS?  Because as far as I know, you cannot do that on an SBS without some serious manual tweaking of the server.

As I stated earlier, if you've monkeyed around with this already your only alternative is to reinstall IIS and Exchange per KB320202.  So, your "other alternative" has already been suggested.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Also... what's your reisitance to reinstalling Exchange?  I've used the methods in 320202 many times with successful results.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Hi All,

Before I follow the instructions for a reinstall of Exchange on KB320202 I'd like to know whether anybody has done this successfully on an SBS Server as we have SBS 2003.

Many thanks in advance.
Neilos

It's good that you're asking that, because you never know whether or not someone that gives you advice actually realizes that you're working with an SBS.  But in case you haven't read my profile, I ONLY work with Small Business Servers, and my comment above which states that I've used 320202 successfully have all been on SBS.

Jeff
TechSoEasy