if i get this message one more time I am going to put my fist through my monitor

We are trying hard to get this to reliably reproduce. We think it is the dialog box that tells you that the data set needs to bereleased. Have you seen any patterns?

I'm also having this annoying nag :(Didn't find any pattern but i think it my have something to do with source safe when it works with reporting services...

I get this a lot, we dont have sourcesafe..... Its a 3 button fix so far but would really appreciate a fix. I get it everytime i try to debug a report using more than 1 param and the report has more than 1 dataset (2 used for Parameters)

Hi.I'm also working on report with more then one dataset and a few parameters.What do you mean by "3 button fix"?I'm just saving my work, check it in in vss and close the ssrs with ctrl+alt+del...Ooo, did you mean ctrl+alt+del as the "3 button fix" ?:)

:-) Yup!! 3 button being CTRL+ALT+DEL!! I too am very close to losing a monitor out of the window!

For those of you reproing this issue, PLZ provide some info: Build of RS Report Designer -- Shiloh, Yukon, Service Pack OS -- Win2k, Win2k3, or XP Report structure -- # and datatype ofparams, # of datasets, # and type of report items Thanks!

Hello Mike,I don't know if I have all the fetails but here it goes:I'm developing useing:visual studio 2005 (8.0.50727.42) and FW 2.0.50727Microsoft sql server reporting services designers ver 9.00.1399.00OS: windows XP professional, service pack 2I'm useing a few parameters of type string and about 4-6 datasets.Noting special about the report. just a table and textboxes.I'm working with oracle database.Hope that helps,Roy.

Thanks for the info. So far all of the rep[ros I've seen have a common element which is Windows XP operating system. Does anyone have repro on some other OS? Sorry for more questions than answers, but we're stumped on how to cause this to happen in our lab so we can debug it.

I am also getting this error on occassion. I am developing a report with several subreports that usea string parameter (@parameter | Fields!fieldname). MS VS 2005 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200) MS .NET FRAMEWORK 2.0.50727 MS Windows XP Professional Version 2003 SP2 MS SQL Server Developer Edition 9.00.1399.06

I have received the error on both XP SP2 and the 6.0 release of Vista from MSDN. I received it after running a report that runs two sub-reports with multiple parameters. I exported the report to Excel and then was unable to minimize the window. I realized then that it had occurred, so I saved my reports closed the solution and then received the message after trying to close the app. It's hard to tell exactly when the problem occurs because you don't receive the error until you try to close the program (or when you noticea side-effect like it won't allow you to minimize the app anymore - at least in Vista).

I get it all the time too (less often now though), and had to CTRL-ALT-DELETE and kill the devenv.exe Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP1 (onthe servers, not locally) MS Visual Studio 2005 Version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200) MS .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727 Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 9.00.2047.00 Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.2047.00 Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 9.00.2047.00

I've been getting it often enough to find this thread. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.1399.00XP SP2No sourcesafe I've gotten it on pretty simple reports, with just one dataset and a few string parameters. I just got it on a slightly more complex report with two datasets sharing a single string parameter. I also have windows (properties, output, etc) that refuse to autohide sometimes. I have to get rid of them by pinning and unpinning them. It may or may not be related, but this is certainly a tough bug to reproduce. I have a feeling, likely incorrect, that it has something to do with switching to preview and then back to the layout without entering the parameter and viewing the preview.

I have this error on an almost daily basis. I also encounter the problem with windows autohiding correctly. Most of my reports have multiple parms and not all string based. Running Visual Studio 2005 Version 8.0.50727.42 Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.1399.00 XP SP2 No sourcesafe

It just happened on me twice today5 datasets, 7 parameter reportOne quick way to notice is when the keyboards stop workingCTRL+C, V, S just won't work (have to use to cut and paste, etc..)Then I have to "close project", kill devenv.exe, then re-start the VS2005Oh, I hate the often-not-working auto-hide (pin/unpin)

I have tried like mad to reproduce this as well. However, it definetly has something to do with deploying and/or building a report while it is open in the Visual Studio editor. I have recently changed my deployment method to include closing all open reports before deploying and the problem has completely gone away!Thanks,Greg Van Mullem

I got this error today - using Windows 2000. I was designing very simple (lookup) reports - 1 table, 1 parameter. Doing a lot of copying and pasting, then it froze up and I couldn't shut down without using task manager. No XML files being edited or anything fancy - just very basic simple reports,

Hello.You ask for more infoFrom event logEvent ID 1000Faulting application devenv.exe, version 8.0.50727.42, stamp 4333e699, faulting module ole32.dll, version 5.1.2600.2726, stamp 42e5be93, debug? 0, fault address 0x00092dd8.Event ID 1001Bucket 235552456, bucket table 1, faulting application devenv.exe, version 8.0.50727.42, stamp 4333e699, faulting module ole32.dll, version 5.1.2600.2726, stamp 42e5be93, debug? 0, fault address 0x00092dd8.I have XP pro sp2 with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005Version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)Microsoft .NET FrameworkVersion 2.0.50727Installed Edition: ProfessionalMicrosoft Visual Basic 2005 77626-009-0000007-41620Microsoft Visual Basic 2005Microsoft Visual C# 2005 77626-009-0000007-41620Microsoft Visual C# 2005Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 77626-009-0000007-41620Microsoft Visual C++ 2005Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 77626-009-0000007-41620Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005 77626-009-0000007-41620Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005Version 8.0.60504.00Crystal Reports AAC60-G0CSA4B-V7000AYCrystal Reports for Visual Studio 2005Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB925674) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. \nIf you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. \nFor more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925674SQL Server Analysis Services Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 9.00.2047.00SQL Server Integration Services Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 9.00.2047.00SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.2047.00Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB915364) This Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. \nIf you later install a more recent service pack, this Update will be uninstalled automatically. \nFor more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915364Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 69461-270-0000007-18884Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Service Pack 1 (KB918007) If you have any news about the problem please responce to jadrikop@hotmail.com

It appears to be related to the auto-hide functionality of the Solution Explorer, Properties, or one of those windows. I notice that occasionally my Solution Explorer, while set on auto-hide, gets stuck and doesn't hide. So I end up having to click the pushpin icon, then click it again to get it auto-hiding again. I just noticed that as soon as I do that, some of the keyboard keys stop working (e.g. Delete, arrow keys, etc) and then if I try to minimize or close Visual Studio I get that modal dialog error. Any info on that? -T

I get this often too but I notice that it seems like it is when I have many reports open on the tabs on top.

Agree with Greg Van Mullem. As soon as I deploy at least one report with open one in designer or preview mode - it not possible to close VS because of this message...

i was expecting SP1 to fix this, but alas, it didn't.

I agree with Tobias that there's a relation between this message and the auto-hide feature stopping. Actually, this happens all the time with me.That's the signal for me to make sure I save my reports often, especially before trying to deploy them. I then have one of two scenarios happen all the time.Either VS 2005 crashes or, if I'm trying to exit VS, I get this "modal dialog is active" error message. I find the comment from another person about closing all reports before deploying anything resulting in the problem disappearing very interesting. I plan to try that approach. Jon

Me too... but VS2005SP1 didn't fix it. I would be very pleased if MS could solve this nasty problem (dear Brian Welcker do something!)It's not only the waste of time when it happens, it's also the hours in searching msdn/technet for a fix every once a month. Up to now I'm getting this Error that lets me loose so much time.- I do NOT deploy reports from VS- no auto hide anymore, Solution Explorer and Toolbox are ALWAYS open (1680 x 1050 Monitor)- I've NEVER more than 2 Tabs open (initially thought it'd be a memory leak)- only happens when I work with Reports!!! some weeks ago I programmed a Winform over 2 days w/o shutting down anything (and also NOT working with Reports in VS) and didn't get this behaviour- and really: the moment came when I try to move textboxes with the keyboard and this doesn't work anymore Saludos, Henry --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My config:- on Win XPSP2- OS and ALL Programs on my machine are english- SQL Server is NOT installed on this machine- despite of this I've applied SQL Server 2005 SP1 on this machine!- I work extensively with Virtual PC 2004 SP1 (where my SQL Server runs inside) Microsoft Visual Studio 2005Version 8.0.50727.762 (SP.050727-7600)Microsoft .NET FrameworkVersion 2.0.50727 Installed Edition: Professional Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 77626-009-0000007-41690Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Microsoft Visual C# 2005 77626-009-0000007-41690Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 77626-009-0000007-41690Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005 77626-009-0000007-41690Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005Version 8.0.50727.762 Crystal Reports AAC60-G0CSA4B-V7000AYCrystal Reports for Visual Studio 2005 Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926601) This service pack is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this service pack will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926601 SQL Server Analysis Services Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 9.00.2047.00 SQL Server Integration Services Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 9.00.2047.00 SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.2047.00

Jerry, no source safe (or any source code control add-ins)? And are you using the generic query designer or the graphical one? On the auto-hide, you are talking about the fields window?

I haven't bumped into this issue for a while now, but then I am not working with THAT many reports as before either, and that I try to save, close report before clicking "deploy" in Solutions Explorer I have SQL 2005 SP2 installed now as well, gonna see if this error pops up again

not an answer but this is what i do to reduce the issue with just reporting services projects included in a VS solution. I have had the same issue. I seem to have less trouble if i make sure the report designer is not in preview mode. just preview then move to design or data before making changes to any project files. also pinning down the windows(no autohide).

We have some diagnostic code we are using to track down this issue. If you are seeing this problem and are willing to help us out please ping me.

I just installed SQL 2005 SP1. After migrating SQL 2000 database, clicked on "database diagram", got a pop up "This database does not have one or more of the support objects required to use database diagramming. Do you wish to create them?" Clicked "yes", but the pop up didn't go away. And now I can't shut down SQL server "cannot shut down because a modal dialog is active".

Forgot to mention, it's on SMS. No reports. Only one stored procedure open, but no modification made.

Andrew,I am currently experiencing this problem quite heavily, and I am willing to help you diagnose the cause of the problem if it gets us closer to a fix!Please respond to the email I sent you from my GMail account to get in touch with me.Cheers,- Michael

Is this fixed by SQL Server Service Pack 2?

Is this bug fixed by SQL Server Service Pack 2?

No, it is not fixed in SQL 2005 SP2. However, thanks to the participation of many on these message boards,we are very close to releasing a fix. There are still a few hurdles left to clear but we are close.

Any updates on this issue? I and two colleagues also get the message at seemingly random times... but vaguely associated with Reporting Services design and deployment.

Andrew Harding - MSFT wrote: ...we are very close to releasing a fix ... Excellent news. Please keep us posted on progress. Thanks.

hi all this problem occurs in BIDS 2005 quite frequently . i observed the following pattern for this to occur. if you click on the report solution explorer and say view source code and then click on designer then this problem will occur. so best is before openning the designer window, first close the code window and then open the designer window.

That solution does not work for me. Even when I make sure only one report editing tab is open at all times, I still get the issue occurring.

Just received this message. Was not using any reporting, VSS, nor SQL. C# project with 2 code, one form design, and a project property tab open (4 tabs total). All tool sections locked open (Toolbox, Solution Explorer, Properties Window). Was performing a IDE find operation using the following parameters:Quick FindFind what: m_:i+:b+=:b+Look in: Current DocumentMatch caseSearch hidden textUse Regular expressionsHit the Find Next (from within the Find and Replace dialog) button a couple of times. Then escaped out of the "Find and Replace" dialog box. Then started hitting F3 (multiple times, waiting for the find operation to complete before hitting the next F3). Sometimes, I'd manually replace the found text. Other times, I'd simply F3 without manually replacing the text (By manually replacing the text, I mean that I would manually type text directly over the found, and selected text within the IDE window. I was not using the replace option of the Find and Replace dialog).The code document I was searching through contained 1814 lines of code, including numerous #region / #endregion sections, some nested inside others. When I started the first search, I had started at the top of the document after Ctrl+M, Ctrl+O (Edit > Outlining > Collapse to Definitions).Once or twice, I received the following dialog box during the search:++++++++++++++++++++++++ Find===== i Locating the next match... Cancel++++++++++++++++++++++++MS Visual Studio 2005 v8.0.50727.762Net Framework: v2.0.50727MS Win XP Pro v5.1.2600 SP2 Build 2600x86 Family 6 Model 9 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~1598 MhzTotal Physical Memory: 1,536.00 MBAvailable Physical Memory: 869.01 MB- Roger Nedel

I'm just here to bump this issue as this happens to me at least a couple times a day. I believe that it is in fact related to the auto hide features and reporting services.

HiMe to, I can close tabs etc but I cannot exit. I'm bang up to date with latest service packs both for VS 2005 and SQL 2005. It's a Reporting Services Project, all localhost with about 30 reports on the go and a variety of data,design, preview tabs.I can bring up about box and other dialogs but can't quit. Also has a habit of crashing (dump submitted) when working with reportsI have also noticed that the menus don't dropdown after a while and I have to close/reopen VS (different problem? as I can quit VS)Look forward to the fix

Having the same trouble. It's very frustrating. Can't wait for the fix. Here's my VS info. Microsoft Visual Studio 2005Version 8.0.50727.762 (SP.050727-7600)Microsoft .NET FrameworkVersion 2.0.50727 Installed Edition: Enterprise Architect Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Microsoft Visual C# 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Microsoft Visual J# 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual J# 2005 Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Office 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office System Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005Version 8.0.50727.762 Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Architects 77637-163-9000005-41050Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Architects Crystal Reports AAC60-G0CSA4B-V7000AYCrystal Reports for Visual Studio 2005 Extensions for Windows WF Windows Workflow Foundation Tools for Visual Studio Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Architects - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926601) This service pack is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Software Architects - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this service pack will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926601 Ruby In Steel 1.00.205Ruby In Steel Personal Edition. Copyright 2006-2007 Rosedown Mill Ltd and SapphireSteelSoftware.All rights reserved. http:// www.sapphiresteel.com. SQL Server Analysis Services Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 9.00.2047.00 SQL Server Integration Services Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 9.00.2047.00 SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.2047.00 TestDriven.NET 2.0.1573 BasicFor more information, see the TestDriven.NET website at http://www.testdriven.net/. Development by Jamie Cansdale <jamie@mutantdesign.co.uk>. Copyright (c) 2002-2006 Mutant Design.

This bug was reported over 6 months ago and it still hasn't been fixed! Disappointing is an understatement...this is nothing short of "incompetence"

Please fix this issue it's driving me insane!!!

Right now we are in the process of getting a QFE published to the web. Since we just missed the latest window to publish KB articles this might take a couple of weeks. If you do not want to wait for this fix to be published to the web you can call Support directly and request KB 936971. They will be able to get the fix for you. This was a very tricky issue to find and fix. I want to thank all the folks who participate in these forums for helping us track this down. Please contact me if this fix does not work for you. I will post the link once this QFE gets published on the web. Thanks, Andrew

Hi, I met this error too when using Crystal Report designer. OS: XP SP2 Visual Studio 2005 version 8.0.50727.762 Does this hotfix (KB 936971) fix the Crystal Report designer too ? Sorry since I don't know whether Crystal Report designer is the same thing with the report designer you guys mentioned above. Thanks.

This hotfix is for Visual Studio so there is a chance that it will fix your issue. We have been working with the Microsoft Report Designer, not the Crystal Report Designer,so we cannot be certain.

The patch works! There truly is a God! Thanks Andrew - This will make a *lot* of peoples' lives bearable again.

Has the patch for KB 936971 been published yet?

The easiest way to find out is to go to http://support.microsoft.com and search on the number. As of this second, it has not. But you should check before calling Customer Support Services. For the time being, calling CSS will get you the fix. Also, since I'm posting on this thread again, thanks to everyone who helped us isolate the issue. It turns out it only occurs in a particular case on a memory constrained system. It proved very, very hard to reproduce in house. Thanks for the community support you all have given us as we tried to identify and solve the issue. -Lukasz

I got the patch from MS customer service. When I run it I get the following error message. "The upgrade patch cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service because the program to be upgraded may be missing, or the upgrade patch may update a different version of the program. Verify that the program to be upgraded exists on your computer and that you have the correct upgrade patch." I've tried running this file from the root directory of my C drive and also in the root directory for my VS2005 installation. I'm not sure where I should be placing this file in order to get it patched. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have Visual Studio 2005 professional edition (version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200) running on an XP Pro OS. Thanks, Jim

You should follow up with MS Customer Support Services on this. They would be best able to help you successfully install the patch. -Lukasz

The QFE for this issue is now publicly available for download here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936971 Thanks again for all the support from the MSDN forums to help us track this issue down and fix it. - Andrew

Attempting to install hotix usingdownloaded file VS80sp1-KB936971-X86-ENU.exe gives Windows Installer Error: The upgrade patch cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service because the program to be upgraded may be missing, or the upgrade patch may upgrade a different version of the program. Verify that the program to be upgraded exists on your computer and that you have the correct upgrade patch. Windows 2000 SP4 .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727 Visual Studio 2005 Professional Version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200) Application Event Log: Description: Product: Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU - Update '{403A4894-CBF1-4101-8BBD-99B371CB0EBE}' could not be installed. Error code 1642. Windows Installer can create logs to help troubleshoot issues with installing software packages. Use the following link for instructions on turning on logging support: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=23127 Data: 0000: 7b 34 33 37 41 42 38 45 {437AB8E0008: 30 2d 46 42 36 39 2d 34 0-FB69-40010: 32 32 32 2d 42 32 38 30 222-B2800018: 2d 41 36 34 46 33 44 45 -A64F3DE0020: 32 32 35 39 31 7d 20 7b 22591} {0028: 34 30 33 41 34 38 39 34 403A48940030: 2d 43 42 46 31 2d 34 31 -CBF1-410038: 30 31 2d 38 42 42 44 2d 01-8BBD-0040: 39 39 42 33 37 31 43 42 99B371CB0048: 30 45 42 45 7d 20 31 36 0EBE} 160050: 34 32 42

Has a fix ever been provided for this bug?

Copied and pasted from the KB article...... A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. But the hotfix is intended only to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 2005 service pack that contains this hotfix. Whenwill the next visual studio 2005 service pack be released?

Copied and pasted from the KB article...... A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. But the hotfix is intended only to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Visual Studio 2005 service pack that contains this hotfix. Whenwill the next visual studio 2005 service pack be released?

Here is the problem I am having. When I'm working on a report within Visual studio, there are times when I click on the preview tab and then the output window appears and "locks up". I can not close the output window and when I try to close VS, i then see the vs cannot shut down because a modal dialog is active message. Will the fix referenced in this thread resolve this issue? Thanks! Amedeo

Here is the problem I am having. When I'm working on a report within Visual studio, there are times when I click on the preview tab and then the output window appears and "locks up". I can not close the output window and when I try to close VS, i then see the vs cannot shut down because a modal dialog is active message. Will the fix referenced in this thread resolve this issue? Thanks! Amedeo

This fix will address the issue you are seeing Amedeo. If it does not please let us know. I am not sure when the next service pack for VS is scheduled to come out but this is a fairly safe fix. I have been running with this for a while with my VS 2005 install and have seen no side effects. This change is also in Orcas with no observable side effects.

Had this happen twice today - not using any reports in our solution. It happened both times when the debugger broke on a 'no row at position 0' in a typed dataset (c#) - devenv's memory usage shot up from 400MB to around 900MB (I have 2GB - still had 400MB free even after this) and got the dreaded 'visual studio needs to close' message. It happened yesterday too in the same place - it feels like a stack-overflow type situation. However it didn't close but just froze there with the symptoms described above (can close edit window tabs but can't use the keyboard) and the '3-fingered salute' produced the modal dialog message above. Just applied the hotfix - hopefully it will fix this very annoying bug!

I wanted to report that I have similar symptoms but this KB seems to not address my specific problem. For me, it indeed does have a modal dialog, but this modal dialog is BEHIND the visual studio IDE. PLUS, this modal dialog is unresponsive. It seems to happen when I do a Get Latest from VSS (2005)- it's the dialog that says I have things checked out and asks me to merge/leave/etc. What happens is I doa Get Latest, the IDE appears to freeze up, but about 1-2 minutes later it "appears" to come back. When it comes back, only some of the GUI elements work. By this it is the tabs, dropdowns, tabs, opening new files from the SolutionExplorer, andthe pseudo child window controls (down arror, thumbtack, and X buttons like on the Solution Explorer, Error List window, Properties window, etc.). However, other things don't work such as thecode editor, the Menus, the toolbar buttons, and some other stuff. Once the IDE "appears" to come back, I can move it around and that is when I notice the Replace/Merge/Leave/Cancel/Help VSS modal dialog behind the IDE. However, NOTHING can interact with this dialog. I can't drag it around to move it, I can't click the X button, I can't click any of the normal buttons, I can't do anything "NORMAL" with this dialog. The ONLY way I have been able to figure out how to interact with it is, in Vista, do the WIN+TAB thing to get to the 3-d alt-tab thing, scroll around until you see that dialog, then click on the 3-d image of that dialog. Once you do that, you can immediately hit ESC to close it. If you click off of it and back on it just normally, you can no longer hit ESC or anything else. Here is my system info (fully updated via Microsoft Updates): Laptop Intel Core 2 Duo (1.73GHz) Vista Business (UAC off) 2GB RAM Visual Studio 2005 Pro (latest SP) SourceSafe 2005 (db file hosted on network) SQL Server 2005 Dev is installed on this PC (server and tools) As a contractor, I've worked in many different environments and have been working with VS2005 since summer of 2005 and I must say I have seen this problem quite a few different times and it seems to either consistantly happen to several people or not happen at all as I move around. The ONLY common thing I have observed that isn't obvious from the tech specs is that it seems to happen EITHER to people who are traditionally VB developers (even when working on C# apps)OR to people who are working on VB projects, and they have all used SourceSafe. This leads me to believe that there might be some sort of rare conflict between the SourceSafe add-in and some default VB options (you know when it asks if you're a C# or VB developer). My reasoning is that I bet even the VB devs working on the C# apps choose the VB defaults thinking that they'll be more comfortable with them. And of course if you're working on a VB app, there's a good chance that you'll be using the VB defaults. I personally have worked on 5 different development machines and have NEVER personally ran into this problem until my latest contract which was my first VB project and the dev machine was specifically configured (from clean windows install) for this project, so the VB defaults were chosen when that option was given. I hope this helps!! -Shane

Jaxidian wrote: I wanted to report that I have similar symptoms but this KB seems to not address my specific problem. For me, it indeed does have a modal dialog, but this modal dialog is BEHIND the visual studio IDE. PLUS, this modal dialog is unresponsive. It seems to happen when I do a Get Latest from VSS (2005)- it's the dialog that says I have things checked out and asks me to merge/leave/etc. What happens is I doa Get Latest, the IDE appears to freeze up, but about 1-2 minutes later it "appears" to come back. When it comes back, only some of the GUI elements work. By this it is the tabs, dropdowns, tabs, opening new files from the SolutionExplorer, andthe pseudo child window controls (down arror, thumbtack, and X buttons like on the Solution Explorer, Error List window, Properties window, etc.). However, other things don't work such as thecode editor, the Menus, the toolbar buttons, and some other stuff. Once the IDE "appears" to come back, I can move it around and that is when I notice the Replace/Merge/Leave/Cancel/Help VSS modal dialog behind the IDE. However, NOTHING can interact with this dialog. I can't drag it around to move it, I can't click the X button, I can't click any of the normal buttons, I can't do anything "NORMAL" with this dialog. The ONLY way I have been able to figure out how to interact with it is, in Vista, do the WIN+TAB thing to get to the 3-d alt-tab thing, scroll around until you see that dialog, then click on the 3-d image of that dialog. Once you do that, you can immediately hit ESC to close it. If you click off of it and back on it just normally, you can no longer hit ESC or anything else. Here is my system info (fully updated via Microsoft Updates): Laptop Intel Core 2 Duo (1.73GHz) Vista Business (UAC off) 2GB RAM Visual Studio 2005 Pro (latest SP) SourceSafe 2005 (db file hosted on network) SQL Server 2005 Dev is installed on this PC (server and tools) As a contractor, I've worked in many different environments and have been working with VS2005 since summer of 2005 and I must say I have seen this problem quite a few different times and it seems to either consistantly happen to several people or not happen at all as I move around. The ONLY common thing I have observed that isn't obvious from the tech specs is that it seems to happen EITHER to people who are traditionally VB developers (even when working on C# apps)OR to people who are working on VB projects, and they have all used SourceSafe. This leads me to believe that there might be some sort of rare conflict between the SourceSafe add-in and some default VB options (you know when it asks if you're a C# or VB developer). My reasoning is that I bet even the VB devs working on the C# apps choose the VB defaults thinking that they'll be more comfortable with them. And of course if you're working on a VB app, there's a good chance that you'll be using the VB defaults. I personally have worked on 5 different development machines and have NEVER personally ran into this problem until my latest contract which was my first VB project and the dev machine was specifically configured (from clean windows install) for this project, so the VB defaults were chosen when that option was given. I hope this helps!! -Shane Oh, and one more thing to add. There is one way I have discovered to prevent this problem from happening. That is when I do a Get Latest, if I do not click on anything else prior to that modal dialog coming up, then all is well! However, this is hard to do because it seems like when this happens, it takes 5 minutes for that modal dialog to popup so I usually have the tendency to go to another window to do something else while I'm waiting on the SourceSafe action to respond. And lastly, it seems like once I'm able to reproduce this, it keeps happening over and over until I reboot (closing Visual Studio and reopening it does not appear to resolve the problem), and that only sometimes resolves the problem. -Shane

This sounds like an issue with Source Safe rather than the issue we fixed here. If you have a large Source Safe database, a slow network connection, or even an overloaded system the dialogs can take a long time to come up. I would recommend you post to the Source Safe forums with your questions. If they cannot help you out then I would escalate the issue with Microsoft Support. You can also try using connect.microsoft.com. I am not sure if they are accepting new users right now but if they are you can log a bug for the Source Safe team. Hope This Helps,

for what it's worth, I was actually browsing the threads looking for help with another problem when I saw this.I'm also using VSS (not by choice... my source control of choice is SVN with Ankh), and I got the modal dialog error today.In this instance, I'd gotten a history and checked out an older version of a report; something I rarely do. This was the first time I got that message on this machine, and the first time I've had to pull an old item out of the VSS store. Maybe coincidence, but I think there's a relationship there.

Running Win XP on a Gateway laptop. Design reports locally on my machine that have multiple parameters open. I have SQL Server Manager express open as well and it gets really slow. My machine starts to lag and then Visual Studio menus shut down. The only thing I can do is hit the close in the upper right and then I get the message. I have multiple reports open using the same primary data set but they have other datasets to get values for parameter look ups. I had just deployed the report before VS locked up. I have one gb of ram.

got this too while working with datasets/testing reports. XP SP2 VS 2005 SP1 SQL 2005 Developer SP2 1 GB ram it blocks all respond to VS, only the Ctrl-Alt-Del worked so i kill the devenv process and restart VS. annoying bug and quite often happen.

Got this as well on Visual Studio 2008, ASP.NET web app connecting to a web service, I guess it's got something to do with the databinding on the datagrid. XP SP2 VS 2008 Full (30 day trial) WebService (connecting to a Sybase DB) I've got a Spy++ tree saved if anybody is interested...

I also got this problem today several times...I noticed that it seemed to occur when I had updated the parameter list in one of my datasets then changed focus into the source control editor of another tab without saving first? It was quite scary because I couldn't access the menu bar of studio to even quickly save my work. However I noticed if I clicked the [x] in the editor window which then asked if I wanted to save the file, then I could click 'yes' and then save it. Phew!

I got this a lot in the spring. Search your HD for file "~*.tmp" and delete them or this problem may continue. It has to do with windows failing to shut down properly.

This was valuable than anything else.I had to save my work and I was stuck until I saw this message.And yes, Phew!

I posted this a while ago but gawd knows where that's ended up.There is a hotfixhttp://code.msdn.microsoft.com/KB936971

i have vs 2008 and hotfix requires vs 2005 sp1.i actually replied to this post by Jonswaino I also got this problem today several times...I noticed that it seemed to occur when I had updated the parameter list in one of my datasets then changed focus into the source control editor of another tab without saving first? It was quite scary because I couldn't access the menu bar of studio to even quickly save my work. However I noticed if I clicked the [x] in the editor window which then asked if I wanted to save the file, then I could click 'yes' and then save it. Phew!

suggest you post in the katmai forum for RS not here (or even the vs 2008 one ??)2008 hasn't been released yet, so you'll probably get a speedier responsehttp://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=428&SiteID=1

ok.i will check up at the other forum and post back infothanks for the weblink again

running vista business 32-bit and ssms 9.00.3042.00. I got this error while doing a save-as and clicking the drop down for locations. had one unsaved query open.

Jerry Hung wrote: Oh, I hate the often-not-working auto-hide (pin/unpin) I agree, that is also extremely irritating.

I can't do CTRL-ALT-DELETE because it lock up therefore I end process thru window task manager

Well I'm on my third monitor and 4th wig. This happens ALL the time to me. So often in fact I'm looking for a DIFFERENT way to get my work done and am pretty sorry I purchased VS.NET. BTW: since my update to XP SP3 it feels as though this particular problem is getting worse.The offending dialog is NEVER in the task list and I can't alt-tab to it. It's not in the process list in either task manager, process monitor or process explorer and I can't find any reference to screwy dialogs or off kilter handles if I attempt to find them using WINDBG.Why can't the Main IDE simply KEEP a handle to all the Modal Dialogs it opens then instead of displaying that impossibly stupid message box simply make that Modal Dialog the foreground window and visible?For that matter there are a LOT places where this happens throughout the operating system. Open The EventViewer snap-in - go look at any event click all over the screen and open a bunch of windows. Then go BACK the MMC and try to close it. Bring the stinky dialog to the foreground FOR ME so I don't have to hunt for it!cmillens

Wow so we never really got a fix for this after 3+ years...Jason Honingford

Nope, no fix yet ... what is even more annoying is that the so called fix was for a VS 2005 with SP1 but I never had this problem until I installed VS 2005 Sp2 so the fix cannot find the executable to which it must be applied. It's a real killer mostly because I have no dialog based window opened. I even closed the project but still nothing. Just an error message. It just another thing that makes a programmer's life so thrilling ... and the emotions and the feelings from that moments when you open VS ... "OMG, what if today I get that error again ?!? .. " no kidding mates but you are Microsoft people not penguins ... you are supposed to do something since it's your error and community demands a solution, the same community who bought your product that has errors ....

Here is it, Oct. 1st of 2009 and I'm STILL getting this error...Is there ever going to be a definitive fix for this?

if i get this message one more time I am going to put my fist through my monitor Ok, here it is 3 years later, and I have to totally agree with the original post. Just had to force quit in Task Manager FOR THE 12TH TIME TODAY - come on, enough with this error already!

Here is it, Oct. 1st of 2009 and I'm STILL getting this error...Is there ever going to be a definitive fix for this? Ditto!!!!

yeah me too. reassuring (although not) to hear the output auto-hide is a common prob too....

Count me too....save me from this bugger

Thanks for the info. So far all of the rep[ros I've seen have a common element which is Windows XP operating system. Does anyone have repro on some other OS? Sorry for more questions than answers, but we're stumped on how to cause this to happen in our lab so we can debug it. I get it on Windows Vista I have only had it happen a handful of times, and not recently so I can't respond to the question about the specifics of the report that does it, but I am using: Windows Vista Enterprise, sp1 (Intel Core 2 Duo CPU @2.33 GHz, 2 GB ram) Visual Studio 2005 - Version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200) - Microsoft .NET Framework: 2.0.50727 SP1 - SSRS Designers 9.00.1399.00

I have been getting this error for years. And I think that I have finally noticed what is common when the error occurs.1. I am selecting from a view, using a command type of 'text'2. I am using a text, allow null, report parameter in the select clause Ex: SELECT case left(current_group, len(@groupexp)) when @groupexp then @groupexp else current_group end paremeter_group, * FROM VW 3. The derived field in the view, is used in the report, and is used as an expression in a group, and is the source for that groups document map label.4. The datasets pane is set to Auto Hide, and is docked on the left side of the environment.The sequence of events that appears to cause this is as follows:Open report, make changes.I think i uaually have the code view open for the same report, but am not sure if this has anything to do with it.Add one or more fields tothe view.Return to report.Hover over Datasets until [auto hide] pane opens up (note, this doesn't always happen. Sometimes, in order to open datasets pane i have to open another pane in the group like toolbox, by hovering over it. then a hover backover datasets)Right click on Report Datasets, and select Refresh.What i notice is that the newly added field is not in the dataset!So i try several things to try to get it to refresh...First go to Data Tab of report, and execute the datased in question, which works. But i have to supply a parameter to the command.NOTE: It is this dialog 'Define Query Parameters' that I believe is part of the problem. I believe that it is a resource for this dialog that VS thinks is open.I then return to the dataset window and refresh, but new field is still not there.I close the report, and re-open. Still nothing.I try to close VS, and get the described error. The only way to recover is close all Devenv processes, and kill the remaining one.One other notable behavioral difference that occurs while this session of devenv is open, is that the Datasets pane will not auto hide, in order to get it to auto hide i have to turn it off, then back on. Then the pane hides, but if i hover again and it unhides, it will not hide again until i reset the auto hide setting again.Environment:Windows XP.Always have several Visual Studio 2005, and 2008 active sessions open. One is always 2005 Reporting Services Project, the other is 2008 Database Project.I hope this helps someone reproduce this VERY annoying bug.Thanks,Al Anderson

Hey there. If you would rather not get glass all over your fist, check this out:http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/KB936971/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=908Looks like there's a hotfix for this issue.

Great - I'm gonna try this out now.Do note this:IMPORTANT NOTEPlease be aware this Hotfix has not gone through full Microsoft product regression testing nor has it been tested in combination with other Hotfixes.

Just in case anybody is still reading this: I get the 'Locating the next match' dialog when opening a particular project in VS2008 Professional. It comes from an external source, so it might be created in VS2005. The patch suggested is for 2005 if I'm correct.Is there a solution for this for VS2008?Thanks,BartBart Roozendaal, Sevensteps

In case anybody is interested: I just found that in my case Eurekalog was responsible (or triggered) the dialog. Removing Eurekalog from my system also removes the problem. I hope this helps somebody. Bye, BartBart Roozendaal, Sevensteps

Also getting this in VS 2008 prof on windows 7 :"(

I'm getting this same problem in VS 2008 Professional Version 9.0.21022.8 RTMI have Vault (source control) and Nevron UI control integrated in.I have hotfixes KB944899, KB945282, KB946040, KB946308, KB946344, KB946581, KB947171, KB947173, KB947180, KB947540, KB947789, KB948127, KB952241, KB953256, KB971091

I am also getting this modal dialog open error.I'm running the following.Windows Vista Enterprise SP2Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 @ 2.8GHz (x2)3.00GB RAM32-bitDomainMicrosoft Visual Studio 2005Version 8.0.50727.867 (vsvista.050727-8600)Microsoft .NET FrameworkVersion 2.0.50727 SP2 Installed Edition: Professional Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Microsoft Visual C# 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Microsoft Visual J# 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual J# 2005 Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Applications (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Applications Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005 (serial# removed)Microsoft Web Application Projects 2005Version 8.0.50727.867 Crystal Reports (serial# removed)Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2005 Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB926601) This service pack is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this service pack will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926601 Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB937061) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937061 Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB947738) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947738 Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB971023) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971023 Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB971090) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971090 Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB973673) This Security Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Security Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973673 SQL Server Analysis Services Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 9.00.1399.00 SQL Server Integration Services Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 9.00.1399.00 SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 9.00.1399.00 Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU (KB932232) This Update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - ENU. If you later install a more recent service pack, this Update will be uninstalled automatically. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932232 Application Styling Configuration DialogFor more information about Application Styling, please see the Infragistics, Inc., website athttp://www.infragistics.comCopyright (c) 2007 Infragistics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Nathon Dalton Software Developer Systems Administrator Network Administrator Blog: http://nathondalton.wordpress.com

I get this happening all the time as well.I'm running VS2005 V8.0.50727.762 (SP.050727.7600) with .NET Framework V2.0.50727 SP2 (it's the free version that comes with SQL Server 2005, not a fully functional VS, restricted to reporting services).They're running on a PC with XP Professional V2002 SP3.I've never seen any pattern to it, though the longer I have VS open the more chance of it happening. I can always tell when it happens, though, cause the autohide function on the menus stops working, and I have to deselect then reselect the autohide function to make them hide - each and every time I use one.I have never actually seen a dialog box, which is the most frustrating part of this error.Only way I've found to fix it is to kill VS using CTRL-ALT-DEL and restart it.

I'm getting this AGAIN!! Thought you guys had fixed it? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUWas trying to close down after build/deploy of ssrs report seemed to hang after the 'build' partxp sp3Microsoft Visual Studio 2008Version 9.0.30729.1 SPMicrosoft .NET FrameworkVersion 3.5 SP1Installed Edition: IDE StandardAnkhSVN - Subversion Support for Visual Studio 2.1.7756.392AnkhSVN - Subversion Support for Visual Studio 2.1.7756.392 * Ankh.Package 2.1.7756.392 * Subversion 1.6.9 via SharpSvn 1.6009.1458.9025SharpSvn is linked to: Apr 1.3.8, Apr-util 1.3.9, Neon 0.29.3, OpenSSL 0.9.8l 5 Nov 2009, serf 0.3.0, SQLite 3.6.22, Subversion1.6.9-SharpSvn-tag-1.6.9@902549, ZLib 1.2.3SharpSvn is dynamically linked to: Cyrus Sasl 2.1.23SharpSvn is optionally linked to: Berkeley DB 4.4.20, SharpPlink 1.6009.1458.9025Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB945282) KB945282This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945282.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB946040) KB946040This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946040.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB946308) KB946308This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946308.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB946344) KB946344This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946344.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB946581) KB946581This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946581.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB947173) KB947173This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947173.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB947540) KB947540This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947540.Hotfix for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB947789) KB947789This hotfix is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this hotfix will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947789.Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU (KB972222) KB972222This security update is for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Shell (integrated mode) - ENU.If you later install a more recent service pack, this security update will be uninstalled automatically.For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972222.SQL Server Analysis Services Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services Designer Version 10.0.1600.22SQL Server Integration Services Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services DesignerVersion 10.0.1600.22 ((SQL_PreRelease).080709-1414 )SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers Version 10.0.1600.22LaCie drives. Failing when you need them most."La" meaning "Terrible", "Cie" meaning "customer service"

Did you install the latest service packs for Visual Studio? That was supposed to fix it. Apparently it happens when you move docked windows while Visual Studio is open. You should be able to avoid it if you don't move them.Nathon DaltonSoftware DeveloperSystems AdministratorNetwork AdministratorBlog: http://nathondalton.wordpress.com

Thanks for the info. So far all of the rep[ros I've seen have a common element which is Windows XP operating system. Does anyone have repro on some other OS? Sorry for more questions than answers, but we're stumped on how to cause this to happen in our lab so we can debug it. I'm getting it using Vista Ultimate 64 bit 4GB ram SP2 Visual Studio 2005 8.0.50727.867 (vsvista.050727-8600) Version 2.0.50727 SP2 I did not move any windows while it was opened, just ran a report, exported the results and went to close the program. As others have reported, the project closes fine and I can open and work on other projects without any issues, but cannot close the program itself without this error. Even the 3 button close doesn't work the first time, but takes several times to get the program to finally close. It's not a huge deal, but very aggravating and certainly inconvenient. Eyespi20

This issue has been fixed in MS KB 960075. The patch for this issue is listed here. This is so far not a part of any service packs, to my knowledge. I would download it and install it (if you haven't already) and see if it helps.Nathon Dalton Software Developer Systems Administrator Network Administrator Blog: http://nathondalton.wordpress.com

I just started getting this error in Visual Studio Web Developer 2010 Express (VWDExpress) on Windows 7 x64 with 16GB RAM (10GB free). I can't click on non-docked windows, but I can reset window layout. I have limited keyboard interaction. My VS C# 2010 Express works fine. Not sure what's going on. [Update: Ok, it may be because I'm using a windows pager app to get virtual desktops, and when I hit the compile+debug button and switch desktops during compiling the "build failed, do you still want to run" dialog showed up on my active virtual desktop, but for some reason I couldn't see it or it was underneath another window (and it doesn't show up in the taskbar, which makes it hard to find.) I'm hoping this is all it is.]

This looks to be a general Visual Studio problem when doing regular expression search/replace. https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/356296/quickfind-using-regular-expressions-causes-visual-studio-2008-to-stop-responding Look at the comments on that issue, "expected behaviour". Ha. My 486 SX-25 could do regular expressions of similar complexity using UNIX 'sed' in a couple of seconds on files that were megabytes in size, back in '98. However Visual Studio on a Core i7 920, 12GB RAM and 10K RPM hard disks has trouble doing the same thing with a text file that is a massive 10 kilobytes. But it's good to know that Microsoft don't plan on fixing this.

For what it's worth, I get the same thing in VS 2005 and VS 2008 when I copy a local web project to a remote server. It appears everything is frozen and just dings at me if I try and click anywhere on the IDE. What works for me is to click Alt + Tab and scroll until you find the modal dialog in the task list and simply click it. It then appears in front of the IDE as it should. I hope this helps..

I get this error occasionally without any visible reason. I'm just working and on closing Visual Studio it refuses to terminate because some [invisible] modal window is opened. I never copy a local project to a remote server as the previous member reported.

I just got this message too. 10/12/2010 16:08 CDT. Sent error report. I had updated a simple report checked the update into StarTeam and then tried to close VS2005. Ended up giving 3-finger salute. Win XP PRO fully patched up to 10/11/2010. VS2005 also with all patches. I also have VS2008 and installed VS2010 last week. Does 2008 work better than 2005. I mainly use 2005 BIDS for report services. I am told that there is no BIDS yet in 2010. I may move all dev to 2008 if this fixes it.

With Visual Studio 2008, always after renaming a file in the Project-Explorer, there came a box that it can not be renamed, that never closed again. When trying to close Visual studio it told that there is still a modal dialog box open. Ironically I then tried to close it, because the modal dialog doesn't close. So I had to terminate it in the taskmgr with the process-explorer. Does anyone know about a fix for this? I assume it is the same.

As of right now this bug is a SHOWSTOPPER for me. I am in the middle of a large InfoPath project in Visual Studio 2008 and if I try to open the main form (manifest.xsf), the app freezes. If I then try to close the IDE, I am presented with the modal dialog is open message. At that point I am forced to terminate the app through Task Manager. The problem is happening EVERY TIME I try to open the manifest file, effectively halting the progress of the project on which I am working. System: VS2008, .NET 3.5, Windows Server 2003, no VSS or source control integration, everything fully patched.

Just found a workaround for any InfoPath developers who are having this issue in VS 2008. Open manifest.xsf with Notepad and set the following value to "no": <xsf2:solutionDefinition verifyOnServer="no"/> My project is no longer being verified on the server, but at least I can open it and work on it. Your mileage may vary.

Can you change the thread type to question from discussion? Thanks. Kalman Toth, SQL Server & Business Intelligence Training; SQL Server 2008 Training

Can you change the thread type to question from discussion? Thanks. Kalman Toth, SQL Server & Business Intelligence Training; SQL Server 2008 Training

My version of this problem came when trying to check some code into TFS using VS 2008 SP1. Everything had been working fine but all of a sudden after I tried to check in some code the whole IDE was unclickable because of this hidden modal dialog forcing me to undo my changes and kill the IDE. After many frustrating attempts I found that I could hit ESC and the mysterious dialog would close, I could then access the rest of the IDE again. I just couldn't check in the code. But because I was able to ESC out of the non-visible dialog that meant that it *had* to be hidden somewhere. I could undo my checked out code because that is another, different dialog. Then I tried this: 1. Perform the steps create the hidden dialog behavior (in my case trying to check-in to TFS) 2. Hold down ALT and press space bar. This (keyboard shortcut) exposes the menu at the top left of the active window/dialog allowing you to Move | Size | Minimize | Maximize etc. As soon as I had done that I could see that the dialog was tucked under the right hand side of one of my screens, on account of the location of the pop-up menu. All I needed to do from there was to select "Move" and use the arrow keys to move the dialog back to the visible area of my screen. Problem (or at least my version of it) solved! Cheers, Nickhttp://nickbarclay.blogspot.com

Nick, Oh, my word! I am completely kicking myself for not having tried what you just described. You ever have one of those moments when you beat your head against the wall on a problem and then someone with their eyes open comes in and does some basic thing and fixes the issue? LOL Great job!!! Just out of curiosity, what did the dialog box say? I don't think anyone else has actually seen it. Nathon Dalton Software Developer Systems Administrator Network Administrator Blog: http://nathondalton.wordpress.com

No luck here using the Alt+Space trick, because the dialog does not have focus. It's nowhere to be found. Seriously, in my 8 years of experiencing this problem, why do I still not have a "Force quit" or "Force close modal dialog" or "Give focus to modal dialog" option? How can Visual Studio know there is a modal dialog and not be able to find it wherever it hides, unhide it, give it focus, raise it to front, center it on screen? This issue is easily in my top 10 of the worst Visual Studio QA failures that make my daily life miserable.

No luck here using the Alt+Space trick, because the dialog does not have focus. It's nowhere to be found. Seriously, in my 8 years of experiencing this problem, why do I still not have a "Force quit" or "Force close modal dialog" or "Give focus to modal dialog" option? How can Visual Studio know there is a modal dialog and not be able to find it wherever it hides, unhide it, give it focus, raise it to front, center it on screen? This issue is easily in my top 10 of the worst Visual Studio QA failures that make my daily life miserable. The problem is that the "modal" dialog is not behaving properly, in that it SHOULD be in front of the Visual Studio main window, and preventing you from interacting with that window. Neither is the case. I can freely click on the main window, restore it, minimize it, etc. If I move it out of the way, I see the dialog, but IT WON'T LET ME CLICK IT! And of course, VS won't close, because it thinks it has a modal dialog open. This happens, without fail, if I am performing a Source Safe operation, and I click on another window while waiting for it to complete, and a Source Safe dialog appears. Now that I think about it, the dialog is actually a Source Safe dialog, so I can see where it has trouble interacting with Visual Studio. Still, as a user, it's not behaving as expected, and has forced me to kill VS 2010 countless times.

I had the same problem... and the solution... drum roll.... is to alt-tab to the modal dialog and then press Escape (ESC). That essentially clicks the Cancel button on that dialog. http://timeswhengoogleletmedown.blogspot.com/2011/05/closing-modal-dialog-box.html Hope this helps (it had me stumped for years!)