FIX: The Visual Studio 2008 SP1 IDE shows no response for several seconds when you set at least one breakpoint in the application

Symptoms

You debug an application in Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1). When you set at least one breakpoint in a source file, the Visual Studio 2008 SP1 IDE shows no response for several seconds, then resumes working. This problem occurs when the Visual Studio debugger is set to load symbol files for all the modules automatically.

Note This problem does not occur when you set at least one breakpoint in the Visual Studio 2005 IDE and the Visual Studio 2008 released to manufacturing (RTM) IDE.

Cause

This problem occurs because the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 SP1 debugger steps through all the source code instead of the related source code in the application.

Resolution

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it 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 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.