WCF - Getting your web Service to work on XP & VS2005 & VS2008

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If you are having trouble getting your WCF service running on winxp and eveything seems like it "should" work but doesnt!! It seems like the service is just not getting recognized. Try these tips and see if they help. Im assuming ASP.NET version 2 installed and configured aswell as .NET3.0 & 3.5 and VS2005 as IDE.

First check to see if you have a mapping for the ".svc" extension in IIS.

  1. Goto IIS->Properties(Of the service)-> Virtual Directory->Coniguration->Mappings
  2. Look for the .svc in the mappings
  3. If its not there add it.
    • Executable: (C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_isapi.dll)
    • Extension: .svc
    • Verbs: All verbs -> Click OK
  4. Next you probably havent registered WCF service model with IIS.
  5. Open VS Command prompt and map to C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.Net\Framework\v3.0\Windows Communication Foundation
  6. Install the ServiceModelReg exe using the command prompt -> ServiceModelReg.exe -i
  7. This fixes the registry and config files etc
  8. Try bowse the service in IIS.. It probably will work but now try it in the browser - it wont!!
  9. Getting there though :-) Next go back to basics and uninstall ASP.NET and reinstall it
  10. In the command prompt do the following in order: 
    1. aspnet_regiis -ua
    2. aspnet_regiis -i
    3. iisreset

Now try agian in the browser after Publishing! It should work..

For Vista and VS2008

Its allot easier.. Just goto Control Panel->Program and features->Turn Windows Features On and Off->Microsoft .Net Framwork 3.0 and then tick all the WCF boxes and install the components.. it should work a treat..