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Q239879: CoCreateInstance Fails When Constructor String Is Blank

Article: Q239879
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WINDOWS:
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCOMPlus kbOSWin2000 kbDSupport kbCOMPlusAdmin kbSysAdmin
Last Modified: 31-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Create a component that implements IObjectConstruct::Construct. Configure the
component as a COM+ application and enable the object construction property, but
do not provide a constructor string.

Attempting to instantiate the COM+ object results in the following error:

  Error 8004e025 Automation Error
  COM+ Activation function failed because an initialization function failed.

WORKAROUND
==========

The workaround for this problem is to enter a dummy string or just spaces in the
Constructor String field.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Steps to Reproduce Behavior:
----------------------------

- Create a component that derives from IObjectConstruct and implements
  IObjectConstruct::Construct but does not use a constructor string.

- Configure this component in a COM+ Server Application such that object
  construction is enabled in Component Services but the constructor string is
  left blank.

To do this:

1. On the Start menu, select Programs, and then select Administrative Tools to
  launch Component Services.

2. Create a new COM+ Server Application under My Computer\COM+ Applications.

3. Install your component in this Application.

4. Right-click on this configured component and select Properties. Click the
  Activation tab.

5. Select the Enable Object Construction button and leave the Constructor String
  blank.

6. Try to create this component through a client application.

An error message is displayed saying:

  Error 8004e025 Automation Error
  COM+ Activation function failed because an initialization function failed.

If you just enter a dummy string or spaces for the constructor string, an
instance of the object can be created.

Additional query words: objectconstruct, complus, win2k, win2000

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCOMPlus kbOSWin2000 kbDSupport kbCOMPlusAdmin kbSysAdmin 
Technology        : kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinAdvServSearch
Version           : WINDOWS:
Issue type        : kbprb

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