Error message when you install SQL Server 2005: "The file C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\Meaningless_string\mscorlib.tlb could not be loaded" (918685)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft SQL Server 2005, you receive the following error message:
The file C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\Meaningless_string\mscorlib.tlb could not be loaded. An attempt to repair this condition failed because the file could not be found. Please reinstall this program.
Note Meaningless_string is a placeholder for the meaningless characters that appear in the error message. These characters resemble the version number of the Microsoft .NET Framework, such as v1.0.3705, v1.1.4870, or v2.0.50727.

After you install SQL Server 2005, you may receive an error message that resembles this error message every time that you start Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because the path of the Mscorlib.tlb file is incorrectly interpreted during the Setup process.

WORKAROUND

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this problem, you must manually specify the correct path of the Mscorlib.tlb file in the registry. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Shell\TlbAutoRepair\mscorlib.tlb

    Notes
    • If you install SQL Server 2005 on 64-bit operating systems, locate the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Shell\TlbAutoRepair\mscorlib.tlb

    • If you install SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services, locate the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\ShellSEM\TlbAutoRepair\mscorlib.tlb

  3. In the right pane, double-click the registry entry TlbPath. The Edit String dialog box appears.
  4. In the Value data box, replace %CLRVERSION% with the following value:

    v2.0.50727

    Note The value v2.0.50727 indicates the version of the .NET Framework that the original release version of SQL Server 2005 uses.
  5. Click OK, and then exit Registry Editor.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/12/2006
Keywords:kbsql2005setup kbExpertiseAdvanced kbtshoot kbprb KB918685 kbAudDeveloper kbAudITPRO