FIX: Debugger does not work after you remove the .NET Framework (313504)

SYMPTOMS

If you have more than one version of the .NET Framework Redistributable Package installed on your computer, and then you remove one version, you may receive the following error message when you try to run a project:

"Error while trying to run project: Unable to start debugging.

Unable to start program 'path.exe name'

The debugger is not properly installed. Run setup to install or repair the debugger."

RESOLUTION

To resolve the issue, repair the .NET Framework redistributable installation by typing one of the following at a command prompt:

C:\dotnetfx.exe /t:temp /c:"msiexec.exe /fvecms temp\netfx.msi"

-or-

C:\dotnetfx.exe /t:temp /c:"msiexec.exe /i temp\netfx.msi REINSTALLMODE=ALL ReinstallMODE=vomus"

Note If you download the .NET Framework redistributable from the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site, the DotNetFX.exe file is wrapped in Dotnetredist.exe. Type the following at a command prompt to extract the file:

C:\dotnetredist.exe /t:c:\

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This bug was corrected in Visual Studio .NET (2003), Visual C++ .NET (2003), Visual Basic .NET (2003), Visual C# .NET (2003), Microsoft Visual J# .NET (2003), and the .NET Framework 1.1.

MORE INFORMATION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next P1 that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.The .NET Framework Redistributable Package (DotNetFX.exe) is available as a stand-alone executable file that contains the run time elements of the .NET Framework.

This issue does not occur with the first release of the .NET Framework Redistributable Package unless you do not remove a previously installed Beta version of the software.

This issue can occur when an updated version of the .NET Redistributable Installer becomes available.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to repair the .NET Framework Redistributable Package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306160 How to repair an existing installation of the .NET Framework SDK

For information about where to obtain the .NET Redistributable Package and about how to distribute .NET applications with this package, see the following MSDN article:

.NET Framework Redistributable Package Technical Reference