Failed to open registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\POSfor.NET\ControlAssemblies (with Windows7)

Question

We are receiving the following error when running POS for .NET 1.12 on Windows 7 x86 version.  My guess is that it is a permissions related error caused by UAC in Windows7.  The code worked fine under Windows XP.  Does anyone have any idea about how to resolve this?



An exception of type 'System.TypeInitializationException' occurred and was caught.

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11/02/2009 13:32:33

Type : System.TypeInitializationException

Message : The type initializer for 'Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer' threw an exception.

Source : Microsoft.PointOfService

Help link :

TypeName : Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer

Data : System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal

TargetSite : Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer CreateExplorer()

Stack Trace :    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer.CreateExplorer()

   at Microsoft.PointOfService.PosExplorer.LoadExplorer()

   at Microsoft.PointOfService.PosExplorer.Initialize()

   at Microsoft.PointOfService.PosExplorer..ctor(ISynchronizeInvoke synchronizingObject)

   at Maddog.WePOSDevices.CardReader..ctor(ISynchronizeInvoke sinvoke)

   at Maddog.Client.Contact.CustomerQuickAdd.CustomerQuickAdd_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)

 

Additional Info:

 

MachineName : PC4116
TimeStamp : 11/2/2009 7:32:33 PM
FullName : Microsoft.Practices.EnterpriseLibrary.ExceptionHandling, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null
AppDomainName : Maddog.Client.exe
ThreadIdentity :
WindowsIdentity :  
Inner Exception

 ---------------

 Type : Microsoft.PointOfService.PosLibraryException

 Message : Failed to open registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\POSfor.NET\ControlAssemblies.

 Source : Microsoft.PointOfService

 Help link :

 Data : System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal

 TargetSite : Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.ServiceObjectCollection Scan()

 Stack Trace :    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.AssemblyLoader.Scan()

    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.AssemblyLoader.Scan()

    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer.ScanForSOAssemblies()

    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer.Refresh()

    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer..ctor()

    at Microsoft.PointOfService.Management.Explorer..cctor()

---------------------------
OK  
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Answer 1

Hi,

Does it work if you disable UAC or change your application to elevate itself ? Seems odd that it would be a UAC issue since you can use Pos .Net as a non-admin user under XP which should be very similar to a UAC enabled account that hasn't been elevated. It is of course possible they've changed the permissions on the registry keys and that combined with UAC is causing the problem.

You could using regedit to modify the permissions on the registry key so everyone has read access, that shoudl still be secure and allow the app to run.

Answer 2

Also check to make sure the registry key was not deleted:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\POSfor.NET\ControlAssemblies

Answer 3

My theory is that if POS for .NET is installed and user does not have local admin rights, it will not install correctly and unfortunately will not throw any type of error under a silent install.

Most probably the registry keys are not getting installed correctly under Windows 7 because of some additional security on the client machine there, but Windows XP doesnt have the same restrictions.

Answer 4

Hi,

Not surprising, most applications and libraries require installation under an admin account in order to update the system and since Vista that has included elevation.

Try installing it with UAC turned off, or by right clicking the exe and saying 'run as administration'.