About 30 days ago, the below two IRM event log entries started occurring every hour on one WFE but not the other. The FARM includes two WFEs running v12.0.0.6550 and a SQL Server cluster. The WFEs are Server 2003 x64 R2 SP2 In Central Admin Information Rights Management is set to “Do not use IRM on this server.” There is a question from 2009 on the forums but I really do not want to run a “repair.” Event ID: 5038 - Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as a generic COM object (IUnknown). Protector: {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} - This indicates a major problem with the protector. Any COM object can be created as an IUnknown. Event ID: 5037 - Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as an IRM protector COM object. Protector: {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} - Protectors must implement an IRM protector interface in order to be created as an IRM protector COM object. Next, the protector will be created as a generic IUnknown COM object. Any help to solve this issue would be grateful.

Hi, At the time when you get these entries in the event logs what are the entries in ULS logs? If you have not checked them so far have a look at them s\and also paste them here so that we can also take a look of the issue. Thanks, Rahul Rashu

Hi, I agree with Rahul Rashu. Did you enable IRM configuration in your farm? If so, please look into the following article: Event ID 5038 (Windows SharePoint Services health model) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc561003(printer).aspx Thanks, Rock Wang Forum Support Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.Regards, Rock Wang Microsoft Online Community Support

Hello, Thanks for the reply and I included the requested information below. No, IRM is not enabled. In Central Admin Information Rights Management is set to “Do not use IRM on this server.” The SharePoint log entries are below. 08/08/2011 06:19:43.35 w3wp.exe (0x2A60) 0x2A5C Windows SharePoint Services IRM 95lu Information Information Rights Management (IRM): The initialization of protector {4F9976DD-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} was completed. Protector: {4F9976DD-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} 08/08/2011 06:19:43.38 w3wp.exe (0x2A60) 0x2A5C Windows SharePoint Services IRM 95ly Warning Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as an IRM protector COM object. Protector: {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} Protectors must implement an IRM protector interface in order to be created as an IRM protector COM object. Next, the protector will be created as a generic IUnknown COM object. 08/08/2011 06:19:43.39 w3wp.exe (0x2A60) 0x2A5C Windows SharePoint Services IRM 95lz Critical Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as a generic COM object (IUnknown). Protector: {4F9976DE-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} This indicates a major problem with the protector. Any COM object can be created as an IUnknown. 08/08/2011 06:19:43.41 w3wp.exe (0x2A60) 0x2A5C Windows SharePoint Services IRM 95ly Warning Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as an IRM protector COM object. Protector: {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} Protectors must implement an IRM protector interface in order to be created as an IRM protector COM object. Next, the protector will be created as a generic IUnknown COM object. 08/08/2011 06:19:43.41 w3wp.exe (0x2A60) 0x2A5C Windows SharePoint Services IRM 95lz Critical Information Rights Management (IRM): Protector {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} could not be created as a generic COM object (IUnknown). Protector: {4F9976DC-47C3-4518-B2A2-A258B379F970} This indicates a major problem with the protector. Any COM object can be created as an IUnknown. Thanks, Scott