Internet Explorer May Not Connect to Web Sites with Multibyte Character Set Link or URL (328824)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q328824
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

If you use Internet Explorer to connect to a Web site whose link or URL contains multibyte character sets (such as Japanese), Internet Explore may not connect to the site.

CAUSE

This behavior is caused by a parsing error when Internet Explorer reads the characters in the URL or hyperlink.

WORKAROUND

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this behavior, you must add a registry value. Add a DWORD registry value named MBCSServername with a data value of 0 to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

This new value resolves the behavior in most cases. However, if the default language for Microsoft Windows is set to anything other than United States (for example, Korean), connectivity problems may still occur.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB328824
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