This can happen if you have objects in application scope (even under MTS). This is why
Article #2053 explains you should avoid storing non-thread-safe objects in session or application variables. If you are using MTS, and believe your object is safe to store in session or application scope, then make sure your package is set "Leave Running When Idle" instead of "Timeout After Inactivity."
If you have a component that is running out of process in IIS 4.0, take a look at
KB #290822... you may be able to obtain a hotfix from Microsoft if the problem can't be fixed with a service pack.
See
KB #265340 if you are attempting to run a DCOM application.
In Control Panel / Services, ensure that Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service is set to startup automatically.
As with cookies / sessions not working, the fact that your development server has an underscore in the name might be the cause. See if the errors go away when you access the machine by IP. If you have renamed your web server (from or to any name, including names with underscores), see
KB #234142 for possible solutions.
Check the logs for any further info you might be able to obtain about this problem. You might see a web log entry along the lines of:
| Out of process ISAPI extension request failed 500 |
And a system event log entry like this:
Event ID 37 Out of process application '/LM/W3SVC/2/ROOT' terminated unexpectedly. |
You can also poke around
KB #224370 for a potential problem residing outside of IIS entirely.
Of course the problem usually goes away by simply refreshing the page. If it doesn't, you can unload the application / web site in Internet Services Manager, or use
iisreset from the command line to restart the entire web service. You can also attempt to change the application protection level of the application / site temporarily, to see if this resolves the problem. If you still get the problem repeatedly, you may have a corrupt mediabase. Try reinstalling IIS (though only after you've exhausted all of the above), but keep in mind you will have to reconfigure plenty of options if you go this route.