VS.NET 2003 Installation Woes

I finally got VS.NET 2003 working. It turns out that the DVD drive on my laptop has a firmware issue that means that an installation from DVD fails randomly.

OK - I copied the entire DVD to hard disk, then installed from the hard disk. Still, the installation was failing.

Next, I ran WinDiff, to compare the files on the DVD with those on the hard disk. Hmm, some checksum mismatches. So, I manually copied the dodgy files from the DVD, until WinDiff reports no differences.

Installation now succeeds! However, although VS.NET 2003 launches, the Splash Screen is blank, i.e. it does not show my name as the licensee nor does it display the icons for the features installed (C#, VB.NET, J# etc.). More worryingly, the IDE disappears from the screen if I invoke various IDE functionality:

1) Click an item on the Start Page

2) Try to debug a C# project that has breakpoints

3) Invoke the Macro Editor

Clutching at straws, I decided to run WinDiff again, this time comparing the Setup files on the hard disk with the runtime copies made by the installation process. Weird - there are some differences in various DLL files, including those that seem connected with the functionality listed above. Anyway, I manually copied all the mismatch files, then relaunched the IDE. All the same problems exist.

Finally, I ran the Repair option in the Setup, then rebooted for good luck. Bingo - this time it works and, so far, all the features I have tried function as expected.

Shame it took 4 weeks of banging my head on a wall to get there.

6 Comments

  • The VS.NET install is very painful. Took me days to get it installed too. Never could get the CDs to work, so I finally downloaded the self extractor from MSDN and it did the trick.

  • Some CD/DVD players are very notorious in laptops. My Compaq with Toshiba DVD was randomly spitting out errors reading DVDs particularly during drive intensive operations such as software installations. Now, changing IDE channel from DMA to PIO mode (see KB Q310751) does seem to help, however, it will most likely screw up video playback (PIO is just not fast enough) though milage varies depending on CPU and bus. I ended up replacing DVD - they've put QSI drive (used to be standard on HP laptops) and I did not have any problem since.

  • can i copy the first 3 cds to HDD and install from HDD ? Do i need the 3 cd if i already have the .net framework ?

  • I upgraded my Win98 to Win2000 prof and try to install vs.net enterprise architect from hard disk backup.on entering the product key and continue,i receive the error

    "setup has detected pidgen.dll file is missing.

    This file is critical to running setup.

    please verify that the files in the location from which you are installing match the files on the original installation media,then run setup again."



    please help me

  • Hi. I just got vs.net and have all the hardware requirements and I'm running winXP. However, when I try to install it, the window that comes up lists steps for installation and it says some of my windows components dont match those required, however it doesn't tell me what they are! The msdn site was no help so i came here.

  • Ahh ... Please ... I dunno why it takes so much effort to install tht damn .net 2003 .. outta frustration i've deleted all of it.

    i've installed 2002 previously somehow it's workin fine .. so for now i'm happy .. even msdn 2003 sux a big time .. as it stops n rollback installation wid no aparent reason n no logs to look at ...

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