We are installing 32 bit application, in compatibility mode, on Windows 2008 R2 Server i.e. a 64-bit O.S. The installation and the functionality
is working fine.
But, when trying to uninstall the application, we are receiving a error related to ‘COM Surrogate’. This error occurs
randomly.
A message box is displayed saying “Close the below applications before uninstallation” and it displays the “COM Surrogate
(Process ID)”. The ProcessID displayed is of the dllhost.exe*32 process. This is the special dllhost.exe, launched in 64-bit OS to support the 32-bit applications in compatibility mode. The 32-bit binaries required for the application are hosted
by this exe. The life of this exe is only when any of the 32-bit application is running on a 64-bit machine.
Ideally, during uninstallation,
dllhost.exe*32 should die gracefully and the uninstallation should be smooth. But, this is not happening some times.
If we wait for sometime or kill the
dllhost.exe*32 manually then uninstallation works fine.
What we are looking at is the exact cause why the
dllhost.exe*32 is not able to die gracefully and the resolution to it.
Please, if anyone could help us in this regard.
Abhishek...