Unknown Error in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

For Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Standard Edition Advanced - Complete, single-server installation, certain application Shared Documents library functions such as check-in/out or publish, produce the following error:

The error is caused by an incorrect installation and configuration of SharePoint. This error, reported in system diagnostics during application operations, may indicate a work-around that instructs the administrator to edit machine key values in the SharePoint farm to resolve the issue.� Microsoft does not require or recommend�that system administrators edit SharePoint machine key values.�The underlying cause of the error is a configuration issue that may have occurred during or following the initial SharePoint farm installation.

To test and verify your Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Standard Edition farm installation methodology, and isolate possible errors in application code, or post-installation SharePoint configuration, follow these procedures to create a new SharePoint 2007 Standard Edition baseline Virtual Machine:
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Pre-installation:� For the purposes of test and validation only, create the following domain users:
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Domain user account�(requires administrative privileges to install products on the VM).
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Domain Administrator account is required to attach the VM to the Domain.�
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SharePoint 2007 Standard Edition Advanced Complete, Single-Server Farm installation requires the following "Application Specific" Domain User accounts:
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"SPConfig" -- Use this when prompted for a domain user to assign to administrative configuration databases during software installation.
"SPSearch" -- Use this when prompted for a domain user to assign to search, indexing, profile, or shared services you create.
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Installation:
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1.� Create a new virtual machine (VM) configured with Microsoft Windows 2003 R2 Standard Edition, with SP2.
2.� Configure preferences to enable over 2GB of RAM.�Configure network settings for your VM.
�2.� Name and join your new VM to the domain (will require Domain Administrator privileges to do so).�
3.� Configure the Server Role "Application Server,"�Install IIS 6.0.
4.� Restart the VM.
5.� Install SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition.
6.� Install SQL Server 2005 SP2 patch.
7.� Restart your VM.
8.� Install SharePoint 2007 Standard Edition Server.� Use the "Advanced" and "Complete" options when prompted.
9.� Assign "SPConfig" domain user to the SharePoint configuration database; otherwise, accept all defaults.
10.� Restart the VM.
11.� Run the SharePoint 2007 Configuration Wizard from the startup menu.� Complete all tasks.
12.� Create the Central Web Application as prompted.
13.� Reboot your VM.
14.� Login to SharePoint 2007 Central Administration as the SPConfig user you created.
15.� Configure all services as prompted.� Assign user "SPSearch" to the Search and Indexing Services.� Also use "SPSearch" when prompted for a domain user in steps that follow:
16.� Create a new Shared Service Provider. On the form, as indicated, create a new web application for shared services -- Do not assign to port 80.�
17.� Using the same Shared Services Provider form, you will create the My Sites web application; Do not assign to port 80.�
18.� After you have created both applications and completed the form, click the "OK" button to create the Shared Services Provider.
19.� Restart your VM.
20.� Create a new application assigned to Port 80.
21.� Assign "SPConfig" to the application database for test purposes only.
22.� Assign your own domain user account to own the application; then click OK to create it.
23.� Ensure that you have enabled "Self Service Site Creation" on your new application.
24.� Ensure that you have enabled "Self Service Site Creation" on your My Sites application (created in step 17).
25.� Log on to your Shared Services Provider that you created in step 18; configure as appropriate for further tests -� User profiles and properties and search settings for example.
25.� Restart your VM.
26.� Now log on to your new Port 80 application and test functionality.� Create a My Site.� Execute Check-out functions in the Shared Documents library.� All should work, error-free.
27.� Isolate and preserve this SharePoint 2007 Standard Edition baseline VM in its current state.� Create another, separate VM, for use in application development.�

This article was prepared with the help of Marie A. Rundquist, Principal Software Engineer for Marie A. Rundquist Consulting Services.

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