web.config error... allowDefinition='MachineToApplication'

[ssp]

This one just came out of the blue! One minute it is working and the
next minute, it drops dead with the error below...

===========================
Parser Error Message: It is an error to use a section registered as
allowDefinition='MachineToApplication' beyond application level. This
error can be caused by a virtual directory not being configured as an
application in IIS.

Source Error:

Line 16: />
Line 17:
Line 18: <authentication mode="Forms">
Line 19: <forms name=".XXXAUTH" protection="All"
timeout="60"
loginUrl="/login.aspx" />
Line 20: </authentication>

=========================

Below is the full web.config code:

==========================
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
<startup>
<supportedRuntime version="v1.1.4322" safemode="true"
/>
</startup>

<system.web>

<compilation
defaultLanguage="c#"
debug="true"
/>

<customErrors
mode="Off"
/>
<!-- start comment out -->
<authentication mode="Forms">
<forms name=".XXXAUTH" protection="All" timeout="60"
loginUrl="/login.aspx" />
</authentication>

<authorization>
<allow users="*" />
</authorization>

<trace
enabled="false"
requestLimit="10"
pageOutput="false"
traceMode="SortByTime"
localOnly="true"
/>

<sessionState
mode="InProc"
stateConnectionString="tcpip=127.0.0.1:42424"
sqlConnectionString="data
source=127.0.0.1;Trusted_Connection=yes"
cookieless="false"
timeout="20"
/>
<!-- end comment out -->
<globalization
requestEncoding="utf-8"
responseEncoding="utf-8"
/>

</system.web>

<appSettings>
<!-- sqlConnection1Encrypted is the encrypted connection of
sqlConnection1.ConnectionString.
Encryption is not necessary if this site is hosted inhouse and
access
to it is not restricted heavily.
-->
<add key="sqlConnection1Encrypted"
value="AXnhkjjqnRx1ytJ3T8vvjZOvsQEbkvT0HQsweHP2DdVJpYSkpAAMtt3fjT8PayjDGM2HHXkBRH/YLHvnohouzoCNMDnIyr3HFkbQFy5IInHYmwkjm7nZcjTbw2Vv+4lP"
/>
</appSettings>
</configuration>

==============================

If I comment out the all code between the sections "commented" above,
it works fine, the application runs fine, but I cant implement the
security.

PLease don't tell me to look "ensure that the folder is configured as
an application...", because i've looked at that over and over again.

Funny thing is that another similar application runs fine on my
machine. no issues at all.

Any ideas??

 

[EC]

Config the virtual dir for ypur app folder as an app in IIS as indicated by the
error message.

Open the IIS, right-click your app folder and select Properties, and then click
the Create button on the App settion section of the Virtual Dir tab.