FIX: Localized characters appear as question marks (?) in the IIS 7.0 log file when you access an ASP page or an ASPX page

When you access an .asp page or an .aspx page by using a query string that resembles the following string, the localized characters (that is, the non-English characters) in the query string appear as question marks (?) in the Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 log file: This problem occurs if you configure the regional and language options of your computer to the local language.

When the http.sys file sanitizes the URL on the wire and provides the URL to IIS, the http.sys file pads the query string to create a unicode string. However, IIS cannot interpret this string directly as a unicode string. Instead, IIS must unpad the string into a character string. Then, IIS can interpret the string.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

You must have IIS 7.0 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart IIS 7.0 after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008, x86 versions

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008, x64 versions

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008, Itanium versions

Even after you apply this fix, similar issues may occur when you use an .aspx page that is running in integrated mode for IIS 7.0. This specific issue is fixed in the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and in the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1).