"Internal Error 500" Error Message When You Try to Connect to the Microsoft Project Central Web Site (816709)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, when used with:
    • Microsoft Project Server 2002
  • Microsoft Project 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft Project Central Server 2000 on a Windows Server 2003-based system, the Microsoft Project Central Web site is not available. When you try to connect to the logon page, you receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Internal Error 500: The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because, by default, the Enable Parent Paths option for the Microsoft Project Central virtual directory is turned off in Windows Server 2003. This change (from earlier versions of Windows) is part of a general security enhancement in Windows Server 2003.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, turn on the Enable Parent Paths option for the Microsoft Project Central virtual directory. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Navigate to the Microsoft Project Central folder in the Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Management Console.
  2. Right-click the Microsoft Project Central folder, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Virtual Directory tab.
  4. Click Configuration, and then click the Options tab.
  5. Click to select the Enable Parent Paths check box.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/9/2005
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB816709 kbAudITPRO