Internet Explorer Parses Certain DBCS Domain Names Incorrectly

Retired KB Content Disclaimer

View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q269677

SYMPTOMS

When you use Internet Explorer to browse a Web site whose domain name contains certain double-byte character set (DBCS) characters, the domain name may be parsed incorrectly and you may receive a "cannot find server" error message.

Back to the top

CAUSE

This problem can occur because a DBCS domain name can contain any byte range from 0x00 to 0xFF. If the domain name contains 0x2F (/), 0x40 (@), or other Uniform Resource Locator (URL) delimiters, the domain name is truncated when it is parsed.

Back to the top

RESOLUTION

Interent Explorer 5.5

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Internet Explorer 5.5 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;cntactms)

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The Traditional Chinese-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date        Time     Version         Size     File name    Operating 
                                                              System
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   11/15/2000  12:56P  5.50.4219.1200  478,892  Wininet.dll  Internet
                                                             Explorer 5.5

Back to the top

Interent Explorer 5.01

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer version 5.01. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267954 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267954/EN-US/ ) How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack

Back to the top

STATUS

Interent Explorer 5.5

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Interent Explorer 5.5.

Back to the top

Interent Explorer 5.01

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Interent Explorer 5.01. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer version 5.01 Service Pack 2.

Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION

Tips

Before you download the fix, verify that the Always send URLs as UTF-8 check box is not selected (click Options on the Tools menu, and then click Advanced).
When a page contain hyperlinks and a hyperlink contains a DBCS domain name, the character set of the page should be set to the correct value or left blank. If an incorrect character set (such as Windows-1252) is specified, the link does not work.
The installation automatically adds the following value to your registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MS\Windows\Current Version\Internet Settings
DWORD:EnableDBCSCheck=1
If you want to disable the new feature, set the EnableDBCSCheck value to 0 (zero).

Back to the top

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition

Back to the top

kbbug kbdbcs kbfile kbfix kbie501presp2fix kbie550presp2fix kbqfe KB269677

Back to the top

Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

Back to the top