Sharepoint Web Services Errors

If you are trying to connect an application to the Sharepoint web services for example the list service then you might be experiencing some degree of pain. Specifically if you try to enter a web reference via the wizard you may get the following error

The document at the url http://localhost/_vti_bin/Lists.asmx was not recognized as a known document type.

The error message from each known type may help you fix the problem:

- Report from 'DISCO Document' is 'Root element is missing.'.

- Report from 'http://localhost/_vti_bin/Lists.asmx'

Some sites have stated that you can remedy this by pressing service definition however I still got the error. Follow this method and it will work.

1) Apply latest WSS service pack and if necessary MOSS.

2) Paste the exact location of the web site whose list you want to access e.g.

http://mark-0f396c89fa/sites/MyTopSiteCollectionName/AgentB/_vti_bin/Lists.asmx?WSDL

Remember each site that includes subsites has its own web service.

To make doubly sure paste the url you created in stage 2 within the browser and the wsdl should be displayed if it is correct.