FIX: Visual C++ .NET May Fail When It Loads a .dsp File (316429)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual C++ .NET (2002)
This article was previously published under Q316429

SYMPTOMS

When the Visual C++ .NET IDE tries to convert a project (.dsp) file from an earlier version of the product to a solution (.sln) file, the IDE may stop responding (crash) and the environment may close.

CAUSE

The .dsp file contains environment variables $(<ENVVAR>) in a source path. Although environment variables were not supported in the .dsp files, they could have been added outside of the Visual C++ project environment to customize the project. Visual C++ .NET does not recognize the environment variables during conversion, which causes the IDE to stop responding.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, do one of the following:
  • Use a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad, to edit the .dsp file and change the environment variables to the actual or relative path.

    -or-
  • Install the fix for this problem.
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 Visual Studio.Net service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone 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 typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version      Size      File name
   ------------------------------------------------------------------
   03-Jul-2002  10:48  7.0.9514.0   364,544   Vcprojectconversion.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

  1. Use the Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Application Wizard to create a Microsoft Foundation Classes application.
  2. Close the project.
  3. Use Notepad to open the project.dsp file that you created in step 1.
  4. Scroll down and note that # Begin Group Source Files is followed by several lines of text that end with # End Group.
  5. Paste the following three lines of code above # End Group, and then save the file.
    # Begin Source File
SOURCE=$(TMP)\testfile.cpp
# End Source File
  6. Open Visual C++ .NET. On the File menu, click Open Solution, and then click All Project Files on the Files of type list.
  7. Browse to the folder that contains the modified .dsp file, and then open the file.
  8. When you receive the prompt, Do you want to convert?, click Yes. An error is generated.

REFERENCES

For more information about the solution files and about how to upgrade, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:

Upgrading Your Program
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ vccore/html/vchowUpgradingYourProgramOverview.asp

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/12/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbide kbIDEProject kbProd2Web kbQFE KB316429
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