In event logs, you can sometimes get errors
that mention DCOM as a source. Usually,
the event ID is 10000 or 10005 and the
error message reads something like: The
server <a class’s ID goes here> didn’t register
with DCOM within the required timeout. As
a result, you might experience problems
starting or using an application or service
on that computer. Usually, the problem is
created by a corruption in DCOM’s class
database.
A tool that might solve the problem is
dcomcnfg.exe, a built-in Windows utility
that lets you configure DCOM settings in
the registry. One way you can access it is
to select Run on the Start menu, type
dcomcnfg, and click OK. You can also access
it through Administrative Tools, Component
Services.
In the Component Services window
that appears, navigate to Component
Services, Computers, My Computer, DCOM
Config. Highlighting the DCOM Config
folder fetches a list of all the DCOM objects
on your machine. (You might experience a
short delay during this time.) Besides fetching
the objects, dcomcnfg.exe detects any
missing registration. If the utility detects
any, it will ask you whether you want to register
that component with DCOM. Click Yes.
You might be asked this question several
times if the utility detects more than one
unregistered component. Afterward, you’ll
be able to see all the registered DCOM
components.
You can then
close dcomcnfg
.exe and check
to see whether
the problem
disappeared. Curiously, sometimes the
problem gets fixed, but if you re-open
dcom-cnfg.exe, you’re prompted again for
registration.
Note that the dcom-cnfg.exe utility
doesn’t solve
all DCOM
problems, but
you have a
good chance
of solving
a problem
by spending
no more than
a few seconds
to perform the
procedure just described. Also note that
after any change in DCOM, Microsoft recommends
that you reboot your computer.
—Apostolos Fotakelis, systems administrator, NATO,
and freelance IT consultant
Register
