Visual Studio freezes when switching to debug mode

Question

Strange visual studio (TS 2008) problem: The IDE completely freezes whenever I switch from Release to Debug mode in a specific project. It happens right as I switch, before I try to build or do anything else.

The whole thing started out of the blue, without any abnormal change I can think of. I tried to clean the solution, but it didn't help.

Anyone ran into this before?

Answer 1

If everything has worked fine and then stopped, usually it means there were some problem even though it had been unnoticeable.

Things I'd try:

• Check which files were changed (why and how) after update from a source control engine;
• Remove .suo and .ncb files of the solution, which sometimes cause problems;
• Remove project setting files, sort of YourProjectName.vcproj.DOMAINNAME.LOGINNAME.user or YourProjectName.csproj.user. The setting file name depends on a project kind you use;
• Run "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /setup or "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" for x64 environment.

It should reset all things to the beginning state. If it won't work, so there are additional tool to investigate. Download Process Explorer and when IDE freezes, start the Process Explorer, find the devenv process, double click it and go to Threads tab. Check, which thread has the biggest switch delta in the freeze case, double click it and take the name (or offset) of the top function. It gives additional info for further investigation.

Moreover, it often helps to repair Visual Studio in the "Add or Remove Programs" wizard in Control Panel.

Answer 2

I have the same problem on vs2008 sp1 on windows 7. When i try open process explorer > system information process explorer freez to.