FIX: Error message when a Visual Studio solution contains several BizTalk Server 2006 projects: "Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You deploy a Microsoft Visual Studio solution. The Visual Studio solution contains several Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 projects. One or more of the BizTalk Server 2006 projects contain custom pipelines. You open the Visual Studio solution, and then you redeploy the BizTalk Server 2006 projects. In this scenario, you may receive an error message that resembles one of the following in the Visual Studio Output window:

Error message 1

Error errornumber
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Deployment.BizTalkAssembly.GetConnectedPorts(BtsCatalogExplorer explorer, String pipelineFullyQualifiedName)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Deployment.BizTalkAssembly.RemovePortsUsingPipelines()
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Deployment.BizTalkAssembly.RemovePipelines()
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Deployment.BizTalkAssembly.Remove()
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Deployment.BizTalkAssembly.RemoveNamedModule(String server, String database, String assemblyName, String assemblyVersion, String assemblyCulture, String assemblyPublicKeyToken, ApplicationLog log)

Error message 2

Error errornumber
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Note This problem does not occur in Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2.

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RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

You must have BizTalk Server 2006 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Collapse this tableExpand this table

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time
Microsoft.biztalk.deployment.dll	3.5.1691.0	345,480	20-Jul-2007	02:45

Note Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix that contains these files may also contain additional files.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, compile each BizTalk Server 2006 project in Visual Studio. Then, add the assemblies to the BizTalk application by using the BizTalk Administration console or by using the command line.

For more information about how to add the assemblies to the BizTalk application by using the BizTalk Administration console or by using the command line, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa558703.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa558703.aspx)

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