Visual Studio 2008 Project Properties Build Configuration Missing Options

Question

I have a strange problem, and hopefully someone can help me.

I have a solution with 13 separate C# projects. I am using Vista x64 to develop on, and I would like to build these projects to target the x86 platform. This is normally quite easy. I can go to solution properties -> Configuration properties and change the platform to x86. The strange part here is that 3 of my projects refuse to allow me to select x86.

So, I thought I'd go to each of these 3 projects separately and change it in Project Properties->Build and change the Platform. And the Configuration and Platform dropdowns are not there for these projects. I googled around a bit, and found a setting in Tools->Options->Projects And Solutions->Show Advanced build configuration. After selecting this, when going to Project Properties for the offending projects, I now see both dropdowns, but the platform only lets me select Active (Any CPU).

I can also not change the Platform in Solution properties to x86 for these projects.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

I would compare the textual contents of the csproj files to see if there is any setting that has fallen out or in by accident. Also check the contents of the sln, maybe there's something weird with the configs.

Regards,

Sebastiaan

Answer 2

I also develop on x64 and deploy to x86. However I don't change the platform from the default value (Any CPU) and it works for me just fine. Do you have any code (such as Win interop) that works differently across platforms? Check out this post by Hanselman for details on 32/64 bit .NET targeting.

Answer 3

Sounds like the Build Configurations have gone screwy. The three projects were probably added after the solution was configured to have x86 support (New projects only support AnyCPU, even if the solution supports more platforms.)

• Go Build->Configuration Manager...
• Change 'Active Solution Platform' to x86 (if it's there. If only AnyCPU is there, then use that.)
• For each offending project, in the Platform column, select 'New'
• Choose New Platform as 'x86', Copy Settings from 'Any CPU', and make sure the check box is NOT ticked.
• Hit OK.

Getting configuration/platforms consistent between the solution and individual projects can be tricky. The Configuration Manager can behave unexpectedly - especially with custom solution configurations. I suggest playing in a test solution first.