I had recently installed IE8 on a Windows 2003 SBS server which also runs ISA 2000. After noticing that our anti-virus software was no longer automatically updating I investigated and found that it was not able to connect to the update site properly through the automated process, but could using the manual update button.

Firstly, I checked to see if IE8 was the problem somehow since it did seem to be a bit more picky with who could do what, especially with enhanced security running, but determined that it was not the issue and that it was merely coincedence in timing. My next step was to test the ISA software firewall since changes had been made here over the last few weeks, although nothing that seemed major enough to block our anti-virus software. I made a backup of the current settings just to be sure I could return to the current settings later. I then proceeded to restore the settings I had backed up a couple of months ago, long before any problems. Lucky me, the restore procedure hung and then ISA crashed altogether. When I launched ISA again I was showing 2 server instances, one with settings from a few months ago, and one with the settings I had been using. The servers show the same name except that now each has an ID after it (instance ID maybe?). I have tried to disconnect both servers, one at a time, but both would disappear when I did so and both would reappear when I reconnected them. I have tried stopping all services relating to ISA and restarting with no change. I have also tried restoring the older and newer settings but no change. I just want to get back to showing the single server instance and be sure that the policies enabled/disabled by both versions of the settings are not overlapping.

This literally just happened to me and I have much troubleshooting left to do, but I figured I'd try the WinHlp community as a time-saver. If anyone has any idea how to set ISA straight without having to do any major reworking/restoring of Windows I would be very appreciative. Otherwise, I guess I will be here late trying to figure out what affect this glitch is having on our security/performance and how to fix the darn thing.

If any more information is required just let me know.