OWA Loading....

OWA Loading...
June 25, 2006

Summary

OWA exhibits loading... when logging into Outlook Web Access. A reboot corrects this issue. There are multiple reasons why OWA exhibits loading, for example incorrect permissions within the IIS Virtual Directories or I.E settings, mismatched service pack levels when using Front End\ Back End toplogies. A reboot temporarily corrects the issue. However, this can also be caused if the username and passwords for the IUSR_ComputerName and IWAM_ComputerName accounts are out of synch within the IIS metabase and User Manager.


Cause:
Passwords are stored in three locations. If out of synch they can cause the OWA Loading... symtpom.

• Internet Information Server (IIS) metabase
• User Manager for Domains (Windows NT) or Local Users and Groups (Windows 2000)
• Microsoft Transaction Server (Windows NT) or Component Services (Windows 2000)

Solution:

1. Follow KB article 29798 PRB: Configured Identity Is Incorrect for IWAM Account for fix.

PRB: Configured Identity Is Incorrect for IWAM Account
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297989

Method 1: Change the Passwords in User Manager or Users and Groups to Match the IIS Metabase Password
1. In the Command window, locate the folder that contains the Adsutil.vbs file. Use the Adsutil.vbs tool to obtain the passwords for the IWAM and IUSR accounts from the IIS metabase.

Note: When you try to obtain the password in Windows NT 4.0, the password appears as clear text; however, the password appears as asterisks in Windows 2000. To obtain the password in clear text in Windows 2000, you must modify Adsutil.vbs so that it displays the unmasked password. To do this, follow these steps:

a. In Notepad, open Adsutil.vbs.
b. On the Edit menu, click Find, type IsSecureProperty = True, and then click Find
Next.
c. Change "IsSecureProperty = True" to "IsSecureProperty = False".
d. Save the changes to Adsutil.vbs, and then close Notepad. "


2. To change the IUSR and/or IWAM passwords in Windows NT, follow these steps:

a. From the Start menu, point to Programs point to Administrative Tools, and then click User Manager for Domains. In User Manager for Domains, you can change the account information for all Windows NT user accounts and groups.
b. Double-click the IUSR_ComputerName and/or IWAM_ComputerName users, and modify the passwords so that they reflect the IIS metabase password that you obtained in step 1.
To change the IUSR and/or IWAM passwords in Windows 2000, follow these steps:a. From the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.
b. Under the System Tools node, click to expand the Local Users and Groups and Users nodes. In the User node, you can change the account information for all Windows 2000 user accounts and groups.
c. Right-click the IUSR_ComputerName and/or IWAM_ComputerName accounts, and then click Set Password.
d. Modify the passwords so that they reflect the IIS metabase password that you obtained in step 1.

3. Browse to the ASP page that returned the error message to check if the problem has been resolved.


Applies To:
Exchange 2000, 2003

James Chong (MVP)
MCITP | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+
Security+, Project+, ITIL
msexchangetips.blogspot.com


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