Overview

This article provides a solution to the web error 'Error 503. The service is unavailable' after performing an installation or upgrade of GFI Archiver

 

Diagnosis

 

After upgrading from an earlier version or installing on a new server, the User Interface does not load, and the following error is encountered:

Service Unavailable
HTTP Error 503. The Service is unavailable

The Application Pool for GFI Archiver is stopped, and when trying to open the GFI Archiver website, IIS is not be able to access the configuration. 

 

Solution

Follow the steps below to confirm the required settings are in place and the website is started for the error to not be received.

1. Verify if the Internet Information Services/IIS Admin service and its dependencies are started/running.
   • Start > Run > Services.msc (Start > Programs > Administrative Tools > Services)
   • Locate IIS Admin Service
   • Verify it is Running
   • Start the service if it is stopped
     NOTE: A restart can help if the service shows running in case the service is locked up
2. Check if the website is started/running:
   • Go to Start > Administrative Tools > IIS Manager.
   • Expand the machine node and the Sites option.
   • Right-click the website that hosts GFI Archiver and select the Manage Website > Restart option.

     Example: Default Web Site

3. On IIS Manager's main interface, expand the machine node, and select the Application Pools option. Ensure that the GFI Archiver Application Pool is running/started.
   
4. Ensure the GFI Archiver Application Pool is set to ASP.NET v4.0 and Network Service:
   • Go to IIS Manager > Application Pools.
   • Go to the GFI Archiver Application Pool and click the Advanced Settings option.
   • On the Advanced Settings window, go to General > .NET Framework Version and verify if the application pool is using .NET Framework 4.0.
   • Go to Process Model > Identity to check if the application pool identity is set to the Network Service option.
5. Confirm if all IIS prerequisites listed below are installed:
   •  ASP.NET
   • .NET extensibility
   • ISAPI extensions
   • ISAPI filters
   • Windows authentication
6. Verify if ASP.NET has been registered with IIS, and the pages are enabled.

 

Testing

 

After making sure all the Web Site application pools are started and running using the correct underlying software components, close the opened web browser and re-launch the GFI Archiver Web Console. The web console should open with no error and request login credentials.