PRB: 'Error creating COM+ package' error when installing Zetafax Web client on a Domain Controller

ZTN1278

ID: ZTN1278

This Zetafax technical note applies to:

• Zetafax Version 8 (Web Client)

Symptom

When installing the Web Client on a Domain Controller, the install may generate an error, saying that the Zetafax Web Components COM+ Package could not be created:

The install still proceeds, and otherwise completes successfully.

In some instances, the install may complete without this error, but the Web Client then fails to function correctly.

Cause

There are two causes of this problem:

1. During the install, the user is prompted for a username and password for the user account they want to run the Zetafax Web Components COM+ package as.  If the same password is entered in both the 'password' and 'confirmation' boxes, but that password is incorrect, the COM+ package creation mechanism will fail silently.
2. There is an intermittent problem with the creation of one of the components (MSXFramework.dll) in the COM+ Package.  This causes the above error message to be displayed.

Resolution

In either scenario, the resolution mechanism is the same and can be accomplished by performing one of the following:

1. Ensure that the latest Microsoft Service Pack is installed on the domain controller.  In the majority of cases, this will solve the problem.
2. Manually create the COM+ Package.  This can be done by:
1. Running the Component Services application (Control Panel r Administrative Tools r Component Services).
2. Navigate to the 'COM+ applications' (Component Services r Computers r My Computer).
3. If the 'Zetafax Web Components' COM+ Package is not present under this branch of the tree, it will need to be created:
   • Right-click on COM+ Applications and select New r Application.  The COM+ Application Install Wizard will be displayed.
   • Click Next
   • Select 'Create an Empty Application'
   • Enter 'Zetafax Web Components' as the name and click Next.
   • Enter the account details for the person you wish to run the COM+ package as (often this is the person you log onto the machine as).
   • Click Next and then Finish.
4. Expand the Zetafax Web Components r Components tree.  Under this branch, you need to have both the Zfapi32 and MSXFramework dlls configured to ensure that the Web Client functions correctly.  Add these using the following mechanism:
   • Right-click on 'Components' and select New r Component.  The COM Component Install Wizard will be displayed
   • Click Next
   • Select the 'Install New Components' option.
   • Browse to the Web Client install folder (e.g. c:\program files\Equisys\Zetafax Web Components).
   • Select both zfapi32.dll and msxframework.dll and click Open.
   • A dialog is displayed showing the files to install and the components found.  Click Next and then Finish.
5. Ensure that the security is set correctly on the COM+ Package:
   • Still in Component Services, right-click on the 'Zetafax Web Components' folder and select 'Properties'
   • Select the 'Security' tab from the dialog.
   • Set the 'Impersonation Level' to Delegate.
   • Leave all other properties as they are and click OK.
 

Status

This has been identified by Equisys as a problem with the software versions given above.

Last updated: < 17> < June> < 2003> (< GR> /< DH> )