Whenever I use

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /rootSuffix Exp /RANU

it fails with a dialog with caption "Recipe Framework Error", and the message "Object reference not set to an instance of an object.".

Clicking OK displays a "Package Load Failure" dialog, with text "Package 'Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage, Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' has failed to load properly ( GUID = {77D93A80-73FC-40F8-87DB-ACD3482964B2} )." Clicking "No" brings up another package load failure dialog: "Package 'Microsoft.Practices.ServiceFactory.VsPkg.ModelProjectPackage, Microsoft.Practices.ServiceFactory.VsPkg, Version=3.1.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b705951d1fb00e39' has failed to load properly ( GUID = {3A053D37-49A0-4713-A3C4-6161158FB0C4} )."

I believe this started with SP1 beta 1. In fact, in order to diagnose this problem, I created a virtual machine configured with VS2008 RTM and the RTM SDK, GAT and GAX. I confirmed that I could use the experimental hive. I then uninstalled GAT and GAX (and all guidance packages) and uninstalled the SDK. I then upgraded VS, installed the SDK, GAX and GAT. I then reset the experimental hive, created a guidance package, built it, registered it, exited VS and tried to start VS under the Experimental Hive. I got these same failures.

I really hope this can be fixed by the time SP1 ships.

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

We have just released the update (GAXP1409)to fixthis issue.
Download link

Hi Everyone,

This is confirmed to be an issue with GAX + VS 2008 SP1 (beta and RTM). Unfortunately, there is currently noworkaround to apply.

A fix is under development and will be made public once it's ready.

thanks,
-vga.

---

Working with GAX/GAT/DSL? Download SFT now! http://softwarefactoriestoolkit.net

Seriously, is nobody else seeing this? Is nobody else using SP1 Beta?

I'm more concerned to make sure this beta problem doesn't persist into the RTM. Where should I take this issue next? GAT is a P&P product, so I don't suppose I can open an issue on Connect.

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

I tried using the GAX Troubleshooter tool mentioned in another thread. I'll post what it says. MSDN Downloads says that SP1 goes RTM on 11-Aug-2008, so I'm about ready to start assembly-level debugging to figure this out. I really hate having to do that - it shows my age.
-----------

Dumping OS details...
------------------------------------------------
OS version: Microsoft Windows NT 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
CLR version: 2.0.50727.3031

Dumping GAX hive...
------------------------------------------------
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions
Value CurrentVersion=1.4 - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Compatibility
Value 1.1=1 - (DWord)
Value 1.2=1 - (DWord)
Value 1.3=1 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Hosts
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Extensions\Hosts\VisualStudio
Value 9.0=9.0 - (String)
Value CurrentHive=8.0 - (String)

Dumping GAX Main Manifest...
------------------------------------------------
WARNING: Unable to find the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Recipe Framework\RecipeFramework.xml specified file.

Dumping GAX info for 9.0 hive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
GaxTroubleshooter.exe Information: 0 : Unable to find Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\RecipeManagerPackage.
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}
Value InprocServer32=C:\WINDOWS\system32\mscoree.dll - (String)
Value Class=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage - (String)
Value CodeBase=c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\PublicAssemblies\Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.DLL - (String)
Value ID=1 - (DWord)
Value MinEdition=Standard - (String)
Value ProductVersion=1.0 - (String)
Value ProductName=recipe framework - (String)
Value CompanyName=Microsoft - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}\SatelliteDll
Value Path=c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\PublicAssemblies - (String)
Value DllName=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudioUI.dll - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\Packages\{77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}\Templates
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\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 for Visual Studio 2008\Templates\Items\Action\Action.vstemplate - (String)
Value 2=C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Toolkit for Visual Studio 2008\Templates\Solutions\GuidancePackageSolution.vstemplate - (String)
Value 3=C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Toolkit for Visual Studio 2008\Templates\Solutions\Projects\GuidancePackage\GuidancePackage.vstemplate - (String)
Value 4=C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Guidance Automation Toolkit for Visual Studio 2008\Templates\Solutions\Projects\GuidancePackageInstaller\GuidancePackageInstaller.vstemplate - (String)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}
Value {53544C4D-E3F8-4AA0-8195-8A8D16019423}=0 - (DWord)
Value {77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}=0 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}\Packages
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{ADFC4E64-0397-11D1-9F4E-00A0C911004F}\Packages\{23fc29c9-fafe-47f1-b633-b548e788dddf}
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}
Value {C9DD4A57-47FB-11D2-83E7-00C04F9902C1}=0 - (DWord)
Value {72391CE3-743A-4a55-8927-4217541F6517}=0 - (DWord)
Value {815946b0-1c0d-4eab-8226-36ea3c59162a}=0 - (DWord)
Value {77d93a80-73fc-40f8-87db-acd3482964b2}=0 - (DWord)
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}\Packages
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\AutoLoadPackages\{F1536EF8-92EC-443C-9ED7-FDADF150DA82}\Packages\{23fc29c9-fafe-47f1-b633-b548e788dddf}
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\ToolWindows\{90e51bf7-d80a-4fa1-8a20-2641cbb842f4}
Value Name=Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.ToolWindow.GuidanceNavigatorWindow - (String)
Dumping PublicAssemblies 9.0 folder...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
=====================================================================
Microsoft.Practices.Common, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.Common, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.Library, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.PackageManagement, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Common, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Library, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Microsoft.Practices.WizardFramework, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
WARNING: Unable to get assembly info: Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudioUI.dll - The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131018)

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

I've done some experimenting on a VM. Among other things, I:

1. Uninstalled GAT and GAX
2. Reinstalled GAX
3. Reinstalled GAT
4. Created a Guidance Package from the template - made no changes except for what I entered in the wizard
5. Followed the instructions in the GAT document; set the build properties, built, registered
6. Started a normal VS and confirmed that my guidance package was in the list of templates
7. Confirmed that my guidance package was listed inC:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Recipe Framework\RecipeFramework9.0.xml
8. Reset the experimental hive
9. Started VS in the Experimental Hive

This created a RecipeFramework9.0Exp.xml file that has no MetaGuidancePackage listed. Perhaps that entry would have been created if VS hadn't crashed during initialization of the RecipeManager package.

And I still get the same stack trace:

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService.GetRegistryKey(Guid PackageGuid, Boolean registering)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService.ReadRegistryData()
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService..ctor(RegistryKey currentVsRegistryKey)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.OnCreateService(IServiceContainer container, Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.System.IServiceProvider.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.Site.GetService(Type service)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.CheckDependencies(Object component, IServiceProvider provider)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.CheckDependencies(IComponent component)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.OnCreateService(IServiceContainer container, Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.Initialize()

If anyone has any ideas which registry key it might be failing to find, please let me know.

My next step is to set my test package up to register itself in the experimental hive. I'm thinking the problem may get solved if a "normal" GAT package gets registered into the experimental hive; then all its dependencies may get registered as well.

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

Hi John,
I've already have identified where is the bug and I'll try to post some workaround until it has been fixed.
Let me work on that and I'll get back to you with some workaround (if it's possible).

jose.

---

Jose Escrich - weblogs.asp.net/jescrich

Cool. I wonder if it's the bug I just found and logged in to post about?

Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService.GetRegistryKey, if currentRegistryKey == null, assumes that one of the two branches of the if will fill currentRegistryKey with a non-null value. If not, then there will be a NullReferenceException.

Thanks, Jose. I was very worried. This is happening just as we're starting to get several developers all working on the Service Factory at the same time - and none able to debug on his own machine.

I'm 100% dedicated to helping resolve this issue, so if there's anything I can do, please let me know. I've got logs, Process Monitor traces, etc., as well as several VMs I can play with to reproduce this.

Thanks again,
John

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

I just installed the RTM version of VS 2008 SP1 and I'm still experiencing the same behavior. I hope a fix will become available soon.

---

Miguel

Hi John,

Could you ping me at vga AT clariusconsulting DOT net?

thanks,
-vga.

---

Working with GAX/GAT/DSL? Download SFT now! http://softwarefactoriestoolkit.net

Jose, until there's a workaround, how bad would it be if I configured the GAT (and the rest of the Service Factory) to install into the normal hive instead of the experimental hive?

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

Same problem here

I was getting the same error after installing VS 2008 SP1.

I reset the hive, repaired the GAX install (Feb 2008), repaired the GAT install (Feb 2008), and it now works for me.

Update: Scratch that, it worked for a projectIhad opened before, but then I created a new DSL andI get the same error again.

After getting the same error again, did you try your steps again, and if so, what was the result?

---

John Saunders | Use File->New Project to create Web Service Projects

Hi,

I have VS2008 SP1- when i try to run the DSL package with minimal language option and try to run it, i get the following error

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService.GetRegistryKey(Guid PackageGuid, Boolean registering)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService.ReadRegistryData()
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService..ctor(RegistryKey currentVsRegistryKey)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.Templates.VSTemplatesService..ctor()
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.OnCreateService(IServiceContainer container, Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.System.IServiceProvider.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.Site.GetService(Type service)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.CheckDependencies(Object component, IServiceProvider provider)
at Microsoft.Practices.ComponentModel.ServiceHelper.CheckDependencies(IComponent component)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.OnCreateService(IServiceContainer container, Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Package.GetService(Type serviceType)
at Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage.Initialize()


Clicking OK displays a "Package Load Failure" dialog, 'Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio.RecipeManagerPackage, Microsoft.Practices.RecipeFramework.VisualStudio, Version=1.4.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' has failed to load properly ( GUID = {77D93A80-73FC-40F8-87DB-ACD3482964B2} )."

any idea on this?
I hav also tried installing VS 2008 SDK 1.1, still i get the same error
Thanks & Regards,
Sachin

---

Sachin

Hi Everyone,

This is confirmed to be an issue with GAX + VS 2008 SP1 (beta and RTM). Unfortunately, there is currently noworkaround to apply.

A fix is under development and will be made public once it's ready.

thanks,
-vga.

---

Working with GAX/GAT/DSL? Download SFT now! http://softwarefactoriestoolkit.net

We have just released the update (GAXP1409)to fixthis issue.
Download link

Thanks! VGA& Grigori. This works great!!

---

Sachin

Initial attempts to execute gaxp1409.exe failed with a null reference error. I uninstalled the GAX, reinstalled it, executed gaxp1409 againand all went well. I'm able to run the SDK examples now :)

Thanks!
Bill

---

MCAD.NET C# - visit: http://www.Codeplex.com/CaskDotNet