Problem adding GAC reference to VS2008 project

Question

Okay, so this isn't strictly a programming question, but it is a programming-related question.

I have a C# winforms project that I am trying to add a reference to the System.Messaging dll.

However, when I add the reference (from the .net tab of the Add References dialog), it shows up with a yellow exclamation warning.

Right-clicking on other references will allow me to view them in the object browser. Right clicking on the System.Messaging reference will not.

Here's the kicker though... If I click on another reference and scroll through the list in the object browser, I can see the System.Messaging entry.

I tried a variety of things to fix this so far, including a forced reinstall of the dll in the GAC using gacutil, but it's still not working.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to fix this? If I need to provide more information, please leave the specific information request in the comments.

Note. The operating system is Vista.

Answer 1

Perhaps the reference is somehow broken. Right-click on the project and select "Unload Project". Then use the right-click again to "Edit ...csproj". You are now looking at the actual MS Build "script" used to define your project in the Studio. Search for the System.Messaging reference. I tried it on my local VS2008/Vista and it looks like this:

<Reference Include="System.Messaging" />

If this is correct in your project, perhaps a strange entry in your App.config is redirecting the reference.

Answer 2

i faced a similar problem but in my asp.net project (and a different GAC assembly - cant remember the name though). i fixed it by explicity telling my application the exact version to use in my web.config by inserting add assembly tag

for eg:

<add assembly="System.Messaging, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" />

is there a way you can try this with your windows form app.config file (i havent worked much with winforms so not sure)

Answer 3

I managed to find the solution after some creative googling.

On the project settings, there is a checkbox marked "Client-only framework subset".

Unchecking that checkbox did the trick.

Answer 4

Hi,

I've created a tool that will help you to achieve your goal. Muse VSReferences will allow you to add a Global Assembly Cache reference to the project from Add GAC Reference menu item.

Regards Muse VSExtensions