I just spent more time than I care to think about chasing down a silly config error in the Visual Studio codename "Orcas" Beta 1 VPC image.

I wanted to run a pre-existing web site, so I copied it to the VPC, aimed a virtual directory at it in IIS and BOOM! 404 errors.

I figured it was directory permissions, incorrect paths, all sorts of things.

Eventually, in frustration I opened VS and created a new ASP.NET web project at localhost/test. Guess what? VS kindly informed me that ASP.NET wasn't enabled for IIS on this machine, and asked if I'd like to enable it. Of course I said yes - and instantly my pre-existing web site started working.

So if you decided to use the Beta 1 VPC (which is a nice way to go), be aware that ASP.NET is not enabled for IIS, and you'll need to enable it before doing any work with ASP.NET or WCF.