"Add Connection" crashes Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition  
Author Message
Sid McFarland





PostPosted: Visual Basic Express Edition, "Add Connection" crashes Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition Top

I am running Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition and am trying to create a new connection to my SQL Server database. Normally, when you click on "Add Connection..." or "Connect to Database" within the VS2005 IDE, a database connection wizard dialog comes up and guides you through the process of creating the database connection. However, this dialog is not coming up for me, and in some cases Visual Web Developer simply crashes.

While in Visual Web Developer 2005, when I click on the "Connect to Database" in the toolbar of the Database Explorer window, I see the database connection wizard dialog appear for a split second and then disappear immediately. It's like it pops up and then quickly closes. I can do this several times, and each time I do it I notice the application takes up more and more memory.

On the other hand, when I right-click on "Data Connections" in the Database Explorer window and select "Add Connection...", the Visual Web Developer IDE flat out crashes. No error messages or anything. The IDE just disappears.

I've tried the repair/re-install option under Add/Remove Programs, but this didn't resolve the problem. Is anyone else having this problem or does anyone know how to resolve it

Thanks;
Sid McFarland



Visual Studio Express Editions38  
 
 
Sid McFarland





PostPosted: Visual Basic Express Edition, "Add Connection" crashes Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition Top

OK, I spent about 3 hours troubleshooting this and finally figured this one out on my own. It turns out that certain WindowBlinds skins are not compatible with Visual Web Developer or Visual Basic 2005. WindowBlinds is not at fault. It's only certain skins (if they are not designed properly) that cause the database connection dialog to fail to load. I can tell you that the "devoir" skin, for one, is not compatible with VS2005. Perhaps there are others.

If you're having the same problem I had, I would recommend you experiment with WindowBlinds skins. Choose a skin that both meets your personal style and also does not crash VS2005. Hope this has been helpful.

Thanks;
Sid McFarland