Microsoft KB Archive/323207

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Internet Explorer makes unnecessary POST request to Ocget.dll for .cab files

Article ID: 323207

Article Last Modified on 9/9/2005



APPLIES TO

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.5 SP2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 6.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 6 (SP1)



This article was previously published under Q323207

SYMPTOMS

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry


When Internet Explorer tries to download a cabinet (.cab) file, it may make POST requests to the following:

-or-

This may cause problems if you do not want to access the internet.

CAUSE

A typical OBJECT tag with a CODEBASE parameter is similar to the following:

<OBJECT ID="CommonDialog1" WIDTH=32 HEIGHT=32
    CLASSID="CLSID:F9043C85-F6F2-101A-A3C9-08002B2F49FB"
    CODEBASE="http://activex.microsoft.com/controls/vb5/comdlg32.cab
    #Version=1,0,0,0">
</OBJECT>
                

Internet Explorer uses the CodeBaseSearchPath registry value to search for the .cab file when a CODEBASE parameter is not specified in the OBJECT tag. However, when a CODEBASE parameter is specified, Internet Explorer still uses the CodeBaseSearchPath registry value because it assumes that the CODEBASE parameter may not always be correct. The default value of CodeBaseSearchPath is shown as follows:

CODEBASE;<http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll>;<http://codecs.microsoft.com/isapi/ocget.dll>
                

Note that the CodeBaseSearchPath registry value tells Internet Explorer to use what is specified in the CODEBASE parameter. If the .cab file is not found on the server that is specified in the CODEBASE parameter, Internet Explorer searches the next location to find the .cab file.

When the version that is specified in the CODEBASE parameter is -1,-1,-1,-1, Internet Explorer will search for the .cab file using the locations that are specified in the CodeBaseSearchPath registry value until a newer .cab file is found. When the .cab file is on the server that is specified in the CODEBASE attribute, but the .cab file has not been updated, the extra POST requests occur. If no newer .cab file is found, Internet Explorer will use the control that is already registered in the system. If nothing is in the system, the component does not display.

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Change the following registry key so that it does not query ocget.dll:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\CodeBaseSearchPath


You can complete this manually through Registry Editor, or through the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK). At stage 5 (the Policies and Restrictions section) in the IEAK, you can modify the Code Download option under Corporate Settings to your requirements.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbprb KB323207