index > Visual Studio Guidance Automation Toolkit > Improper loading of GAT

Improper loading of GAT

Hi,

I installed vs2008 in my system. Then i installed GAX and GAT july 2007 CTP. I also created few sample guidance solutions using Guidance package. One more thing, i installed GAX for Vs 2008 Orcas. All were working fine until i deleted all guidance packages folders that i created.

After that i tried uninstalling GAX and GAT but it failed. Then i followed all the insructions as is from http://blogs.msdn.com/tomholl/archive/2006/06/24/645882.aspx#648815 to remove all references manually. Once i did this GAX and GAT uninstalled successfully.

I also reinstalled vs 2008. Now when i tried installing GAX and GAT it installed without any problem. But when i openend vs 2008, i could find three packages under Guidance packages(wierd, coz usualy only one appears). They were named Guidance Package, Guidance Package, Package Installer Project. I tried click on one of them to create a guidance package and when i did that it threw me the following error.

Recipe Framework Error

Value cannot be null
Parameter name: serviceProvider

System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: serviceProvider
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.GetService(IServiceProvider serviceProvider, Type serviceType, Object component)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VszWizard.EnvDTE.IDTWizard.Execute(Object Application, Int32 hwndOwner, Object[]& ContextParams, Object[]& CustomParams, wizardResult& retval)

Thanks

ranjith_chev Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:28 AM

Hi BlueObject

If you're getting the null reference service when try to unfold a template that's happens when the GAX installation is is corrupted and its package isn't load properly. In that case, Visual Studio shows an alert about that, also asking if you want to disable the corrupted package, if you've pressed yes, so Vs will ignore the GAX package

You can confirm that running devenv.exe /ResetSkipPkgs, that will confirm that the GAX package is not loaded well.

Please try to reinstall the GAX/GAT installation. If you still have troubles please use the GaxTroubleshooter tool and post the information provided by it.

hth.

jose.

Jose Escrich Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:19 PM

Can you run a repair on GAT ?

If you're seeing those 3 templates you're mentioning, that is a sign of a failed uninstallation and is due to having removed packages by hand, used tools like MSI Cleanup, etc.

Let me know if a GAT repair fixes it, if not, we will think of something else to try.

-Victor.

vga Friday, February 01, 2008 12:46 AM

Hi,

I tried all that but in vain.

-Ranjith

ranjith_chev Friday, February 01, 2008 4:18 AM

Hello,

I have exactly the same problem over here but on a VS 2005 TE for SD.

Did you finally resolve it?

Best regards,

Alexander

anowak Friday, February 01, 2008 10:47 AM

Hey,

I downloaded the GAX troubleshooter (http://weblogs.asp.net/vga/archive/2007/12/28/troubleshooting-gax-gat-installation-issues.asp)

Below you can findthe result output

Maybe someone can take a look at it and tell me how I can solve the error.

Thanks in advance.

best regards,

Alexander

ps result ouput GAX troubleshooter

GAX Troubleshooter
Developed in 2007 by Clarius Consulting

Dumping OS details...
OS version: Microsoft Windows NT 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
CLR version: 2.0.50727.832

------------------------------------------------
Dumping GAX hive...
------------------------------------------------
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions
Value CurrentVersion=1.3 - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Compatibility
Value 1.1=1 - (DWord)
Value 1.2=1 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Hosts
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Hosts\VisualStudio
Value CurrentHive=8.0 - (String)
Value CurrentInstallDir=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\ - (String)
Dumping GAX Main Manifest...
------------------------------------------------
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RecipeFramework SchemaVersion="1.0" TraceLevel="Error" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/pag/gax-manifest">
<Hosts>
<Host Name="VisualStudio" InstallerType="Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeFrameworkInstaller, Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio" />
</Hosts>
<GuidancePackages>
<GuidancePackage Name="MetaGuidancePackage" Version="1.0" Caption="Guidance Package Development" Description="" Host="VisualStudio" Guid="23FC29C9-FAFE-47f1-B633-B548E788DDDF" ConfigurationFile="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Guidance Automation Toolkit\Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.MetaGuidancePackage.xml" Timestamp="633208681660000000" />
</GuidancePackages>
</RecipeFramework>
Dumping GAX info for 8.0 hive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}
Value ID=1 - (DWord)
Value MinEdition=Standard - (String)
Value ProductVersion=1.0 - (String)
Value ProductName=recipe framework - (String)
Value CompanyName=Microsoft - (String)
Value InprocServer32=C:\WINNT\system32\mscoree.dll - (String)
Value Class=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage - (String)
Value CodeBase=file:///C:/Program Files/Microsoft Visual Studio 8/Common7/IDE/PublicAssemblies/Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.DLL - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}\SatelliteDll
Value Path=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\PublicAssemblies - (String)
Value DllName=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudioUI.dll - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}\Templates
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}\Templates\{23fc29c9-fafe-47f1-b633-b548e788dddf}
Value LastTemplate=4 - (DWord)
Value PackageName=MetaGuidancePackage - (String)
Value 1=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Guidance Automation Toolkit\Templates\Items\Action\Action.vstemplate - (String)
Value 2=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Guidance Automation Toolkit\Templates\Solutions\GuidancePackageSolution.vstemplate - (String)
Value 3=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Guidance Automation Toolkit\Templates\Solutions\Projects\GuidancePackage\GuidancePackage.vstemplate - (String)
Value 4=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Guidance Automation Toolkit\Templates\Solutions\Projects\GuidancePackageInstaller\GuidancePackageInstaller.vstemplate - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}
Value {77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}=0 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}\Packages
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}\Packages\{23fc29c9-fafe-47f1-b633-b548e788dddf}
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}
Value {77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}=0 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}\Packages
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}\Packages\{23fc29c9-fafe-47f1-b633-b548e788dddf}
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\8.0\ToolWindows\{90e51bf7-d80a-4fa1-8a20-2641cbb842f4}
Value Name=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.ToolWindow.GuidanceNavigatorWindow - (String)
Dumping PublicAssemblies 8.0 folder...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft.Practices.Common, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.Common, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.Library, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.PackageManagement, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Common, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Library, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.WizardFramework, Version=1.3.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Unable to get assembly info: Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudioUI.dll - The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131018)
=====================================================================
Dumping GAX info for 9.0 hive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dumping PublicAssemblies 9.0 folder...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The directory PublicAssemblies does not exists.
=====================================================================

anowak Friday, February 01, 2008 12:39 PM

Alexander: the log shows you've GAX installed on VS2005 and not VS2008, is this correct?

vga Thursday, February 07, 2008 1:14 AM

Hello,

Yes, it is installed on a VS2005 TE for SD.I posted in on this thread because I have exactly the same error message as mentioned the original post.

Also I see "doubles" in the Guidance Package section of the new project dialog.

Sorry for the mix up.

I tried it several times again. De-install it , check with GAXtroubleshooter, Clean up the registery (probably the initial cause of it all : -) Re-installing.

Maybe a point that I forgot to mention is that I also installed the Clarius SF toolkit at one time. But I also un-installed it at some point . There were some registery entries still present after de-installation : in Loaded package hive. VS always came complaining about a certain Clarius CorePackage that it could not load. I manually removed it.

I ' m now working on a VS2008 rosario CTP image to test out GAT (and hopefully Clarius as well) but meanwhilecan you help me clean up my "real" machine. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Best regards,

Alexander

ps I just run the trouble shooter again . Here's the output

GAX Troubleshooter
Developed in 2007 by Clarius Consulting

Dumping OS details...
OS version: Microsoft Windows NT 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
CLR version: 2.0.50727.832

anowak Friday, February 08, 2008 9:57 AM

Sorry I'm lost now about what's your current issue. You've GAX installed but GAT failed? Please decribe your current issue again. Also, can you point a screenshot of what you're describing as "doubles"?

thanks,
-Victor.

vga Sunday, February 10, 2008 7:55 PM

Hey,

Sure. Here we go !

Installed GAX/GAT (CTP 2007)
Played with it using VS 2005 TE for SD
Worked fine (default package )
Installed Clarius SF toolkit
Tried it out
Worked fine
De-installed Clarius SF toolkit because I wanted to learn the "default" GAT
Problems with missing Clarius packages afterwards. Manually removed any left-over clarius registries.
De-installed GAX/GAT
Re-installed GAC/GAT ... but now I see "doubles" meaning in de Guidance package development new project dialog I see two twice the guidance package template and once a package installer poject template.
Used the GAX trobleshooter
De-installed GAX/GAT again
Run the GAX troubleshooter again
Removed manually an left over package entries
GAX troubleshooter detects no registries
Re-installed GAX/GAT again
Unfortunately problem persists ...Help !

I think point7 was my biggest mistake :-)

Thanks for taking the time trying to help me.

Best regards,

Alexander

ps: you can see a screenshot of the "doubles" problem at http://appdevchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/02/first-steps-with-guidance-automation.html(bottom of entry)

anowak Monday, February 11, 2008 7:39 AM

Hi,

Point 7) is harmless, SFT is just another GP as any other of the factories and won't mess with your GAX installation. I'm more concerned with step 8) where you manually zapped some registry entries.

I've looked at the logs and they don't show any apparent errors, and the troubleshooter is not currently dumping a full log (we do need to update it to show some missing keys), do you mind extracting the entire VS hive, compressing it, and sending it my way to vga AT clariusconsulting DOT net. That way I can easily diff for potential wrong keys.

vga Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:29 AM

Hi, if you find out what is wrong, can you please post ? I have the same issue with 2008 only.
Recipie Framework Error
Parameter name: serviceProvider
System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: serviceProvider
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.GetService(IServiceProvider serviceProvider, Type serviceType, Object component)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VszWizard.EnvDTE.IDTWizard.Execute(Object Application, Int32 hwndOwner, Object[]& ContextParams, Object[]& CustomParams, wizardResult& retval)

thanks
Martysp1@gmail.com

BlueObject Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:02 AM

Hi, I have the same problem and been trying for weeks for a solution. Were you able to find a solution ?

thanks
martysp1 @ gmail.com

BlueObject Thursday, March 20, 2008 5:00 AM

Hi BlueObject

You can confirm that running devenv.exe /ResetSkipPkgs, that will confirm that the GAX package is not loaded well.

Please try to reinstall the GAX/GAT installation. If you still have troubles please use the GaxTroubleshooter tool and post the information provided by it.

hth.

jose.

Jose Escrich Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:19 PM

Hi,

You won't believe it but the problem just disappeared after I installed one of the Microsoft Software factories (SCSF, WCSF, WSSF). I just went on installing them in the hope it would work. And guess what ...it worked

Mind though, that I'm using VS2005 and I used the SFs for 2005.

I'm not sure what happend but I guess the the installation of the SFs somehow corrected the corrupted registry entries.

Good luck.

Best regards,

Alexander Nowak

anowak Wednesday, March 26, 2008 7:21 AM

Thanks - I got it to go away also by not installing GAT.

GAX and WCSF worked fine. No one wants to figure it out.

Microsoft needs to beef up quality a little. Oh, wait, lets go off and build an MVC hello world framework and go in the opposite direction of the MVP camp. Lets not try to improve MVP - its been out now for two years... We need to start something new. Oh yeah, and we'll build a completely new IOC container model too and completely change the way the factories work and we'll fix all the factories a couple years after 2008 RTM ships. No one will notice.

My Mom always said "finish what you started first". You think MS would do that.

BlueObject Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:18 AM

Running the following command line (from a VS2008 command prompt) worked for me:

devenv /ResetSkipPkgs

I would assume that if you are using VS2005, you would get similar joy from a VS2005 command prompt.

I am guess the "service unavailable" message (inside the exception) is because the Guidance Package(s) are not loaded properly.

Regards,

Callum

Callum Wednesday, May 21, 2008 10:52 AM