VS2015 fatal: unable to load DLL `sqlceme35.dll`

[erikej]

VS2015 fatal: unable to load DLL `sqlceme35.dll`

[CADbloke]

I strongly suspect it has something to do with https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/wiki/Known-issues but instead of graying out the menu it grayed out Visual Studio. The offending computer has SQL CE 4 (4.0.8876.1) on it but not SQL CE3.5 (obviously). I will await advice before installing CE3.5 (in case you want me to troubleshoot)

[ErikEJ]

You have some parts of SQL CE 3.5 SP1 on your system (ie a broken 3,5 SP1 Install) - assume you are not using daily builds, but latest version from VS Gallery? I will attempt to repro with latest daily bits.

[ErikEJ]

I tried installing 3.5 SP1 (iso 3.5 SP2) on my machine, but was unable to repro with the latest daily bits - maybe you could give them a try: http://vsixgallery.com/extension/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/

[CADbloke]

the download link in the page you linked == "The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable."
and yes, latest version from the gallery. I will try to track the problem for you before I fix the install of CE3.5

Darn, I can't build it from the source because I don't have VS10 handy. I'd build a VM but I am already late releasing a beta of my new app to a very patient customer / distributor.

[ErikEJ]

Hmmm.. I have no issues with the link.

You should be able to build from source with just VS 2015!?

Great if you could investigate what SQL CE 3.5 x86 binaries (versions and locations) are present on your system .. in particular System.data.sqlserverce.dll and sqlceme35.dll

[CADbloke]

sure, where should I look for those?

[ErikEJ]

On your C: drive!
In GAC under Windows\Microsoft.NET and C:\program files (x86)

[CADbloke]

my C: is quite crowded and I didn't know which files. No binaries for SQL CE 3.5 (apart from an installation of PerfectDisk - plenty for SQL CE 4.

Neither of the files you mentioned are installed, I only have SQL CE 4 on this PC

[CADbloke]

I found the problems with the broken VS2015 build...

SqlCeToolbox.DDEX35.csproj at line 95 is unresolved

<Reference Include="Microsoft.VisualStudio.Data.Framework, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a, processorArchitecture=MSIL" />

same in SqlCeToolbox.DDEXe.csproj (same line number too)

SqlCeToolbox.csproj at Line 61, these files are missing from the ..\lib\ folder - see https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/tree/master/src/GUI/lib

<Reference Include="Microsoft.ReportViewer.Common, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a, processorArchitecture=MSIL">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>..\lib\Microsoft.ReportViewer.Common.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="Microsoft.ReportViewer.WinForms, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a, processorArchitecture=MSIL">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>..\lib\Microsoft.ReportViewer.WinForms.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>

[ErikEJ]

Re files: System.data.sqlserverce.dll and sqlceme35.dll is what you should be looking for...

I will look into the ability to build without VS 2015 asap...

[CADbloke]

ok, so I need both SQL CE 3.5 and SQL CE 4 installed? I don't have SQLCE3.5 installed. I am 100% ok with installing it but the docs at https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/wiki say (my emphasis)

The Toolbox requires one of these SQL Server Compact runtime MSIs to be installed...

also (just in case I confused you)

I will look into the ability to build without VS 2015 asap...

[ErikEJ]

I meant "without VS 2010" - sorry.

In order to build you need both SQLCE 3.5 and 4.0, yes.

[ErikEJ]

I will update the build instructions on the readme.md to clarify build requirements

[CADbloke]

what about to install from the Visual Studio Gallery as an end-user (my original problem)? That's the wiki page I linked, it says you only need one version of CE, not both.

...edit...

at https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/wiki#how-do-i-get-started-using-the-toolbox

The Toolbox requires one of these SQL Server Compact runtime MSIs to be installed, if you want to connect to a SQL Server Compact database file:

infers that you don't need SQLCE installed at all if, say, you just want to use SQLite.

btw, your toolbox is awesome, as is your years of contributions for all of us out here, just in case you don't get to hear that often enough. Thanks.

[ErikEJ]

As an end user, you only need runtimes for the database engine versions that you need to work with. But you appear to have 3.5 in GAC, but broken (I use that engine to store the list of databases)

[ErikEJ]

Hey, I just checked in fixes for the reference issues and missing files for build with VS 2015 only

[CADbloke]

confirmed, now builds ok in Visual Studio.

Still can't download the newest vsix from http://vsixgallery.com/extension/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/ - download link is http://vsixgallery.com/extensions/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/SQL%20Server%20Compact%2FSQLite%20Toolbox%20v4.5.45.vsix

[ErikEJ]

Sorry, I see what ypou mean now about vsix gallery - I assumed you were unable to even open the site.
You can use the feed lin: http://vsixgallery.com/extensions/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/extension.vsix

[ErikEJ]

Thanks for the update on the ability to build in VS 2015, btw

[CADbloke]

no problem. I'll try the vsix in a minute - for infinite value of "minute" - I pressed F5 in VS2015 and now it is downloading symbols for ... well, everything...ever.

[CADbloke]

I gave up on F5 - the Internet in Australia has a ping time of about 5 years.

The new vsix still crashes VS2015, same as before.

I'll try F5 again - this could take a while

[ErikEJ]

I think you can disable it http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3817223/disable-vs-downloading-public-symbols

[CADbloke]

yeah, that's somewhat quicker, thanks. I don't see the SQLCE toolbox in the experimental VS instance so I can't debug it. :(

[ErikEJ]

Tools menu!

[CADbloke]

yeah but no - not there. Nothing in the settings either.

[ErikEJ]

And the affected code is in ExplorerControl.xaml.cs

[ErikEJ]

Windows, other?

[ErikEJ]

Set a breakpoint in the init meyhod in the package.cs

[CADbloke]

I set a breakpoint in SqlCeToolboxPackage.cs and it didn't hit it. VS said it won't hit it because there are no symbols loaded. I don't think I will live long enough to see all the symbols load.

Just confirming, "SqlCeToolbox" should be the startup project?

[CADbloke]

and no, wasn't in View - Other Windows either.

[ErikEJ]

Are you in release mode, perhaps?

[CADbloke]

was in Debug, AnyCPU. Switched to Debug x86 and it worked. It crashed, same as before. No debug symbols.

SQLCE3.5 seems to be a hard dependency?

[ErikEJ]

Nope, it is not. No breakpoints hit, in ExplorerControl.xaml.cs, loaded event?

[ErikEJ]

Can I see the logs, that you mentioned in your initial post?

[CADbloke]

sure. I just scrolled through them, they are just the activity logs
oh, Github doesn't like 7zip zip files (as in *.zip).
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5115091/SQLCEtoolboxVSlogs.7z
let me know if you don't have 7zip but the f7z is 91kB, the .zip is 317kB

Let me know if there are any other tests / logs I can help with. I will leave this PC "broken" for now - I have others I can use.

[ErikEJ]

🏁 Hey, thanks a million for helping with this - finally nailed it down, thanks to your detailed info and a walk with the dog 😄 - try build 4.5.52 from here: http://vsixgallery.com/extensions/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/extension.vsix

[CADbloke]

Tested build 4.5.52 - still has the same problem, sorry.

Does System.Data.Common.DbProviderFactories.GetFactory("System.Data.SqlServerCe.3.5"); catch System.DllNotFoundException?

No worries about trying to track this down, thanks a million for making this.

I fix a lot of bugs on long walks.

[ErikEJ]

Need to do a better test when I have the time...

[CADbloke]

"time", ah yes, I remember that luxury. Vaguely. No problems, let me know what else I can do to help.

[ErikEJ]

I was finally able to remove the newer 3.5 version from GAC, and was able to repro your issue. The conclusion: The Toolbox requires SQL Compact 3.5 SP2 installed, as 3.5 SP1 is not supported and has compatibility issues on newer OSes. I was not able to "catch" the fatal crash in any way.

[CADbloke]

Glad you found the root cause. I will install SQLCE3.5. Don't forget to tweak the wiki so the users know that SQLCE3.5 is a prerequisite to running the Toolbox, not just optional if you happen to want to connect to to SQLCE. I only use SQLite, hence my lack of CE.3.5.

https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/wiki

The Toolbox requires one of these SQL Server Compact runtime MSIs to be installed, if you want to connect to a SQL Server Compact database file:

[ErikEJ]

Have thought of a couple of ideas for a fix, reopening

[CADbloke]

ok, still haven't "fixed" the busted PC so I'll leave it alone until I hear from you.

[ErikEJ]

The fix is up now in the latest daily (4.5.60): http://vsixgallery.com/extensions/41521019-e4c7-480c-8ea8-fc4a2c6f50aa/extension.vsix - would be very grateful if you could give at try!

If you use my tools, I would be very grateful for a rating or review here:
https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/0e313dfd-be80-4afb-b5e9-6e74d369f7a1/view/Reviews

[CADbloke]

WIN! 👍 Launches and does SQLite all ok. I noticed the SQLCE 3.5 option was grayed out.

Fixed. Thanks.