Re: IIS 6 Locks Up, Must Restart, No Event Errors

From: David Wang [Msft] (someone_at_online.microsoft.com)
Date: 05/10/04 

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 19:40:19 -0700

You can use IIS State to diagnose what is causing IIS to "Lock up", and post
its log file here for analysis. This is the same sort of tool that
Microsoft PSS will ask you to run anyway; we allow you to do it yourself and
will even help you analyze what's going wrong and sometimes provide
workaround/fixes -- all for free.

http://www.iisfaq.com/default.aspx?view=P197

My suspicion is that some of your web pages are slowly tying up IIS threads,
which over time results in IIS running out of resources to handle requests,
at which point you see it "lock up". We'll need to use IIS State to
diagnose what is actually tying up IIS, which can then help suggest how you
may fix the issue.

The reason why you do not see any event messages about "locking up" is
simple -- it is theoretically impossible to detect a locking situation with
100% accuracy. I am not going to give you a false impression that it can be
done -- because any attempt will either have false positives or false
negatives -- even when users expect the impossible. Why? Let's just say
that it is not possible to distinguish from an external perspective between
a long-running operation that will eventually finish and another
long-running operation that is locked up. Only the thread that is doing the
operation can determine with 100% accuracy, but it's currently tied-up on
that long-running operation and cannot tell you whether it's locked or not.

FYI:
I feel compelled to say the following to clarify some of your
misconceptions. I do this with only positive intentions.

A license to use a particular software does not imply support. It's like a
driver's license gives you the right to drive, but it doesn't mean the
license comes with a car to drive -- you still have to buy/maintain the car.

In your case, you have constructed a custom server package after purchasing
the various licenses, so the assumption is that YOU will take care of
supporting the combination of server software. If you cannot... then you
either must pay some professionals (in this case, you chose Microsoft PSS
for some reason even when most of your software does not involve Microsoft),
or change your server package to a supported one that fits your needs.

I mean, this is not different from any other industry -- if you modify your
car engine, the assumption is that you are responsible for those
modifications... and if you find that you have engine knocks later on but
you cannot take care of it, then you either need to pay a car shop to take
care of it, or you get another car that has the modifications and is
supported.

You cannot buy a car, make modifications, and expect the car manufacturer to
support your modifications for free... 

-- 
//David
IIS
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
//
"Nate Jones" <nate@natejones.net> wrote in message
news:a5c301c43628$967b47f0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
Oh, someone please...  please help.  I really can't
afford the $250 call to MS, but am running out of options
quickly.
I have a single server configuration (Dell PE2650),
running the applications below:
  Windows Server 2003
  IIS 6.0
  SQL Server 2000 Std
  MySQL 4.1.08
  SmarterMail
  SmarterStats
  TitanFTP
  PHP
  And, a few ASP components.
The issue is this: At random (sometimes twice a day;
sometimes days in between) IIS locks up, and all sites go
dead.  Most sites are written in ASP / HMTL.  One in
PHP.  When opening IIS, all APPEAR to be functioning
normal (from a novice's view).  Every other "server" app
continues to function normally (ie. mail, ftp, stats,
etc.)
When examining the Event Viewer, no Errors can be
found... only the occasional Warning about W32Time not
syncronizing, and the occasional SQL Server "SuperSocket"
Warning.  No Warnings or Errors on the same day IIS locks
up.
I will bite the bullet if necessary (MS/$), as this
absolutely has to be solved... but if ANYONE has an idea
of what might be the problem, suggestions will be greatly
appreciated.  It's been happening every since setting up
the server.
Thanks,
-Nate Jones
800-519-9091 Cell
866-815-3366 Home
PS : Unlike many out there, everything on this system has
a legal license.  I have made the extra effort and
sacrifice to be so, but STILL find myself begging for
support.  Funny how that is.  :-\