WordPress 3.1 fresh install Multi-site Apache Virtual Host gets 404 on all sites

I have a fresh install (NOT UPGRADE) of wordpress in multi site as subdirectory configuration installed into an Apache Virtual Host. After creating a few test sites I use the ‘Visit’ link on the Sites admin page. Every site gives a 404 error. Nothing ever comes up.

Research suggests that a plugin is the problem but I have never installed a plugin. I deleted the two default plugins.

I figured out the Rewrite engine was not working and had to add some options to my virtual host configuration for the directory of the virtual host.

<VirtualHost *:80>
<Directory /var/www/vhosts/wordpress>
AllowOverride Fileinfo Options
</Directory>

I’m posting here to try to help others who run into this issue.