This was a fun error I encountered when deploying software to a test server the other day. While we all enjoy working in ivory tower situations where we can clean and scrub servers to our hearts content, sometimes you have to use what you are given. And so, onto this PIII machine I deployed a ASP.NET app and went about doing some preliminary testing. Part of that deployment involved installing the 1.1 framework and its service pack 1 (which requires a reboot--- something to consider when planning roll-outs to production servers!) that went without issue.
So my app is installed and after a little JIT studder of the machine, I am greeted with this message:
Access denied to 'c:\inetpub\wwwroot\web.config'. Failed to start monitoring file changes.
Whaaa? I carefully re-read the message when it hit me: “I have no web.config in the wwwroot directory!” Something very strange was going on, and with a bunch of folks over my shoulders wanting answers from Mr. Certified, the heat was on.
All hail Google! Copied and pasted the whole error message and got the right answer right away.
Basically, this machine had Sharepoint 2001 installed on it and Sharepoint 2001 does some things to directory security the root directory of the web server. And, if like everyone use, all your subdirectories inherit their permissions from the root it will affect your app. By verifying/adding/changing the following permissions everything worked as expected:
Everyone: Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, and Read.
SYSTEM: Full Control
Network Service: Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, and Read.