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SSL Site Error Says 'Page Cannot Be Displayed'
Why are the users getting a "Page cannot be displayed" error when they try to access one of the Web sites using HTTPS?
by Zubair Alexander
3/18/2009 -- If your users are trying to access an SSL Web site using HTTPS and they're getting "Page cannot be displayed," the most likely reason is that the Web site is using a certificate that doesn't have a matching private key.
One easy way to determine if your certificate has a private key attached is to try to export the certificate and see if you have the option to export the private key. If not, then the certificate doesn't have the private key attached to it.
You need to remove the current certificate and create a new certificate with the private key. Assuming that you have the matching certificate file backed up as a PKCS #7, .CER, or a .CRT file, you can assign a private key to a new certificate. You can use the certutil tool to repair the certificate:
certutil -repairstore my "SerialNumber"
Check out the KB article Q889651 for step-by-step instructions on how to assign a private key to a new certificate.
Zubair Alexander, MCSE, MCT, MCSA and Microsoft MVP is the founder of SeattlePro Enterprises, an IT training and consulting business. His experience covers a wide range of spectrum: trainer, consultant, systems administrator, security architect, network engineer, author, technical editor, college instructor and public speaker. Zubair holds more than 25 technical certifications and Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Information Systems. His Web site, www.techgalaxy.net, is dedicated to technical resources for IT professionals. Zubair may be reached at .
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