HTTP 500 - Internet server error

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The page cannot be displayed with HTTP 500 - Internal server error

Situation: The client has reported HTTP 500 - Internet server error (shows below) when he tried to access a web site.

The page cannot be displayed

There is a problem with the page you are trying to reach and it cannot be displayed.

Please try the following:

Open the www.howtonetworking.com home page, and then look for links to the information you want.
Click the Refresh button, or try again later.
Click Search to look for information on the Internet.
You can also see a list of related sites.

HTTP 500 - Internal server error
Internet Explorer

Troubleshooting:

1. The Event Viewer also lists the Event ID 30 with Description: The server was unable to read the file C:\WINNT\help\iisHelp\common\403-6.htm. The file does not exist.

2. I can access the same web site using my logon ID on any computers.

3. When I test more computers, I find some computer work fine but others don't.

4. When I try to open C:\WINNT\help\iisHelp\common\403-6.htm on the server, I find there is no iishelp folder existing.

Analysis and resolution: If you receive "HTTP 500 - Internet server error" when running an ASP page, that means there is a coding error in the ASP page, but it doesn't show up because the Show friendly HTTP error messages option under the Internet Options of IE is checked. Basically, most programmers don't want users to know the coding error so that the Show friendly HTTP error messages is checked by default. However, for the programmers, they would like to see the coding error and they should uncheck the Show friendly HTTP error messages so that they can see the details of the error. To uncheck the Show friendly HTTP error message, open IE>Tools>Internet options>Advanced>Browsing (Figure).

There are two possible reasons the server doesn't have the iishelp folder. One is that it was never created when the IIS installed with Documents unchecked. Or the folder was removed by some one or some software for the security reasons. To install the iishelp folder, go to Add or Remove Programs under Control Panel. Select IIS/Documents.