Cant add reference to any projects

Question

When I right click in solution explorer to add reference I get a error window:

Method not found 'System.Collection.Generic.IList`1<System.String> Microsoft.Build.Utilities.ToolLocationHelper.GetAssemblyFoldersExDirectoryList(System.String, System.String, System.String, System.String, System.String, System.Reflection.ProcessorArchitecture)`.

Any suggestions how I can resolve this.  After OK'ing the error window, no add reference dialog appears thus I can not add any references or use visual studio at all!

Thanks

John

Answer 1

Hi John,
Reinstall Visual Studio,

hope it helps :)

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If some code doesn't work, don't worry help is on the way.. don't forget to mark your thread as solved when done...

Answer 2

ok thanks I will try that.

Should I uninstall first and re-run the web installer or just re-run the web installer without uninstalling?

Or should I look for the iso?

regards

John

Answer 3

Hi John,
Uninstall it or choose reinstall from the setup.. it is the same result... 

just run the installer like the first time

Regards

Muli

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If some code doesn't work, don't worry help is on the way.. don't forget to mark your thread as solved when done...

Answer 4

I set the reinstall going at the time of your(Muli_352) last post.  It got 104 of 106 components installed, but never completed.

I will try again tomorrow.

Regards

John.

Answer 5

I thought I would run Visual studio even though it had failed on two components:  I can now add a reference successfully.

Now when I select build I get an error message stating that 'PerformancePackage' package did not load correctly: pointing me to a log file with these entries:

557	ERROR	Loading UI library	{F4A63B2A-49AB-4B2D-AA59-A10F01026C89}	80004005 - E_FAIL	VisualStudio	2012/03/12 14:58:12.531
558	ERROR	SetSite failed for packageSetSite failed for package	{F4A63B2A-49AB-4B2D-AA59-A10F01026C89}	80004005 - E_FAIL	VisualStudio	2012/03/12 14:58:12.531
559	ERROR	End package loadEnd package load	{F4A63B2A-49AB-4B2D-AA59-A10F01026C89}	80004005 - E_FAIL	VisualStudio	2012/03/12 14:58:12.536

Should I try one more re-install?

NB: Visual studio 11 is the first Item I installed on a fresh build of Windows 8 preview.

regards

John

Answer 6

Hi ItheONEl,
According to your description, this issue is caused by the incorrect installation. So I will move this thread to visual studio setup and installation forum for a better support.
Thank you for your understanding!

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Lucy Liu [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 7

Hi John,

Still having problems with adding a reference ?

Regards Muli

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If some code doesn't work, don't worry help is on the way.. don't forget to mark your thread as solved when done...

Answer 8

Hi Muli,

No the reinstall fixed add reference but now I can't build: something to do with 'PerformancePackage' . see above.

When I have more time at the weekend: I think I will uninstall and re-try again.

I'll give an update once I have tried that.

Cheers

John.

Answer 9

Hello John,

What about your issue now? Have you resolved it?

And based on your description, in my opinion the root cause of your issue is your VS is corrupted or you do not install your VS successfully. Please try to use the VS2010 Uninstall Utility  (VS2010_Uninstall-RTM.ENU.exe /full /netfx) to uninstall the VS completly and then re-install it.

Thanks.

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Vicky Song [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 10

Hi Vicky,

I did not have time this weekend to attempt a fix.

I will try again sometime this week. and post here my success or otherwise.

Regards

John

Answer 11

Hi,

Sorry, I have not had any time to do the reinstall.

I am happy to consider the issue closed, as no one else seems to be having the issue.

Thanks

John.