Article ID: 323207 - Last Review: September 9, 2005 - Revision: 3.1

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

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SYMPTOMS

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

http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
-or-
http://codecs.microsoft.com/isapi/ocget.dll
This may cause problems if you do not want to access the internet.
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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.
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RESOLUTION

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows


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.
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STATUS

This behavior is by design.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 5.5 SP2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 6.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 6 (SP1)
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Keywords: 
kbprb KB323207
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Retired KB ArticleRetired 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.
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