TargetInvocationException, FileNotFoundException

Hi all

First off im a student, but this is Not an assignment, it's the end of degree project!.. so im kinda freakin out a bit.

i dont want a handout, just a point in the right direction.

Ive built this application, like a floorplan viewer that has network devices on the map, works great, but now my business client wants to make it distributed, and run it as a service.

i have used a previous chatroom that i built to use for a test case, to see if i could host a remoting server in a service. the chatroom works fine its very simple, which is why i thought it would be a good test for using remoting in a service. for the test case (and confidentialy) ive decided its better to post this chatroom that i converted to a service instead of the real app.

The problem is the same with both the chatroom and the floorplan app,

1. the service starts fine, creates proxy, a successful event log is written.

2. start the client, proxy created, then on the first proxy method call i get this error...

************** Exception Text **************
System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'ClientGUI, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.
File name: 'ClientGUI, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null'
at System.Reflection.Assembly.nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, Assembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.InternalLoad(AssemblyName assemblyRef, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean forIntrospection)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.InternalLoad(String assemblyString, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean forIntrospection)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.Load(String assemblyString)
at System.Reflection.MemberInfoSerializationHolder..ctor(SerializationInfo info, StreamingContext context)

=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: User = NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
LOG: DisplayName = ClientGUI, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null
(Fully-specified)
LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/chat/MyService/bin/Release/
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = NULL
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in default load context.
LOG: No application configuration file found.
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\config\machine.config.
LOG: Policy not being applied to reference at this time (private, custom, partial, or location-based assembly bind).
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/chat/MyService/bin/Release/ClientGUI.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/chat/MyService/bin/Release/ClientGUI/ClientGUI.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/chat/MyService/bin/Release/ClientGUI.EXE.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/chat/MyService/bin/Release/ClientGUI/ClientGUI.EXE.

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

Server stack trace:
at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._SerializationInvoke(Object target, SignatureStruct& declaringTypeSig, SerializationInfo info, StreamingContext context)
at System.RuntimeMethodHandle.SerializationInvoke(Object target, SignatureStruct declaringTypeSig, SerializationInfo info, StreamingContext context)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.SerializationInvoke(Object target, SerializationInfo info, StreamingContext context)
at System.Runtime.Serialization.ObjectManager.CompleteISerializableObject(Object obj, SerializationInfo info, StreamingContext context)
at System.Runtime.Serialization.ObjectManager.FixupSpecialObject(ObjectHolder holder)
at System.Runtime.Serialization.ObjectManager.DoFixups()
at System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.ObjectReader.Deserialize(HeaderHandler handler, __BinaryParser serParser, Boolean fCheck, Boolean isCrossAppDomain, IMethodCallMessage methodCallMessage)
at System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter.Deserialize(Stream serializationStream, HeaderHandler handler, Boolean fCheck, Boolean isCrossAppDomain, IMethodCallMessage methodCallMessage)
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Channels.CoreChannel.DeserializeBinaryRequestMessage(String objectUri, Stream inputStream, Boolean bStrictBinding, TypeFilterLevel securityLevel)
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Channels.BinaryServerFormatterSink.ProcessMessage(IServerChannelSinkStack sinkStack, IMessage requestMsg, ITransportHeaders requestHeaders, Stream requestStream, IMessage& responseMsg, ITransportHeaders& responseHeaders, Stream& responseStream)

Exception rethrown at [0]:
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData& msgData, Int32 type)
at SharedClasses.IServer.Connect(Parcel msgDel, Parcel usrDel, String userName)
at ClientGUI.ClientForm.btnConnect_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\chat\ClientGUI\ClientForm.vb:line 41
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.onclick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.onclick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.onmouseup(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativewindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativewindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Nativewindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ClientGUI
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/chat/ClientGUI/bin/Release/ClientGUI.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.832 (QFE.050727-8300)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
SharedClasses
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/chat/ClientGUI/bin/Release/SharedClasses.DLL
----------------------------------------

the questions i guess i have are...

How do i tell it where to find the assembly?,

why does this not happen when it is not run as a service.. it works fine. i got good marks for it!

i really havent dealt with assemblys and namespaces (conciously) and this stuff, but keen as to figure this out.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks
red

Code for Service:

Imports System.Runtime.Remoting
Imports MyServer
Imports SharedClasses

Public Class MyService

	Private proxy As Server


	Protected Overrides Sub onstart(ByVal args() As String)

		RemotingConfiguration.Configure("C:\chat\MyService\bin\Release\ServerForm.config", False)

		proxy = CType(Activator.GetObject(Type.GetType("SharedClasses.IServer, SharedClasses"), "tcp://localhost:8085/yakkityYak"), SharedClasses.IServer)

		Dim objEventLog As New EventLog()

			
		objEventLog.Source = "MyService"
		objEventLog.WriteEntry("proxy created")
		 
			'StartTimer()

			' Add code here to start your service. This method should set things
			' in motion so your service can do its work.
	End Sub

	Protected Overrides Sub onstop()
		' Add code here to perform any tear-down necessary to stop your service.
	End Sub


End Class

Code for Server:


Imports SharedClasses

Public Class Server
	Inherits MarshalByRefObject
	Implements IServer

	Private htMsgDel As New Hashtable
	Private htUsrDel As New Hashtable

	Public msgDel As IServer.msgCallBack
	Public usrDel As IServer.usrCallBack


	Public Function Connect(ByVal msgParcel As Parcel, ByVal usrParcel As Parcel, ByVal userName As String) As Boolean Implements IServer.Connect

		SyncLock GetType(Server)

			Dim connected As Boolean

			If Not htUsrDel.ContainsKey(userName) Then

				htMsgDel.Add(userName, msgParcel.msgDel())
				htUsrDel.Add(userName, usrParcel.usrDel())
				BroadcastUsers(userName)

				
				connected = True
			Else
				MsgBox("The username " & userName & " is not available.")
			End If

			Return connected

		End SyncLock

	End Function


	Public Sub disConnect(ByVal userName As String) Implements SharedClasses.IServer.disConnect

		SyncLock GetType(Server)
			htMsgDel.Remove(userName)
			htUsrDel.Remove(userName)
			BroadcastUsers(userName)

		End SyncLock

	End Sub


	Public Sub BroadcastUsers(ByVal senderName As String) Implements IServer.BroadcastUsers

		Dim alUsers As New ArrayList

		For Each userName As String In htUsrDel.Keys
			If Not userName = "server" Then
				alUsers.Add(userName)
			End If
		Next

		For Each userName As String In htUsrDel.Keys
			If Not userName = senderName Then
				usrDel = htUsrDel.Item(userName)
				usrDel(alUsers)
			End If
		Next

	End Sub


	Public Sub Message(ByVal msg As String, ByVal userName As String) Implements IServer.Message

		SyncLock GetType(Server)
			For Each user As String In htMsgDel.Keys
				If Not user = userName Then
					msgDel = htMsgDel.Item(user)
					msgDel(userName & ": " & msg & vbCrLf, userName)
				End If
			Next
		End SyncLock

	End Sub


	Public Function getUsers() As ArrayList Implements IServer.getUsers

		Dim alUsers As New ArrayList

		For Each userName As String In htMsgDel.Keys
			alUsers.Add(userName)
		Next

		Return alUsers

	End Function


	Public Sub TickMessage(ByVal msg As String) Implements IServer.TickMessage

		SyncLock GetType(Server)
			For Each user As String In htMsgDel.Keys
				If Not user = "server" Then
					msgDel = htMsgDel.Item(user)
					msgDel(msg & vbCrLf, user)
				End If


			Next
		End SyncLock

	End Sub


End Class

Code for Server config:


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
	<system.runtime.remoting>
		<application>
			<channels>
				<channel ref="tcp" port="8085">
					<serverProviders>
						<provider ref="wsdl" />
						<formatter ref="soap" typeFilterLevel="Full" />
						<formatter ref="binary" typeFilterLevel="Full" />
					</serverProviders>
					<clientProviders>
						<formatter ref="binary" />
					</clientProviders>
				</channel>
			</channels>
			<service>
				<wellknown type="MyServer.Server, MyServer" objectUri="yakkityYak"  mode="Singleton" />
			</service>
			<!-- <lifetime leaseTime="10S" sponsorshipTimeOut="10S" renewOnCallTime="5S"/> -->
		</application>
	</system.runtime.remoting>
</configuration>

Code for Client:


Imports System.Runtime.Remoting.Channels.ChannelServices
Imports System.Runtime.Remoting.Channels.TCP
Imports SharedClasses

Public Class ClientForm

	Private IPAddress As String
	Private userName As String
	Private proxy As IServer

	Public msgDel As IServer.msgCallBack
	Public usrDel As IServer.usrCallBack

	Private myConfiguration As Configuration

	Private Sub btnConnect_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btn.Click

		If txtUserName.Text = "" Then
			MsgBox("enter a user name please")
			txtUserName.Focus()
		ElseIf Not txtUserName.Text.Length <= 13 Then
			MsgBox("user name must be 13 characters or less")
			txtUserName.Focus()
		Else

			Dim chan As TcpChannel

			chan = New TcpChannel(0)
			RegisterChannel(chan, False)

			proxy = Activator.GetObject(Type.GetType("SharedClasses.IServer, SharedClasses"), "tcp://localhost:8085/yakkityYak")

			' Send message delegate
			msgDel = AddressOf msgCallBack
			Dim msgParcel As Parcel = New Parcel(msgDel)
			usrDel = AddressOf usrCallBack
			Dim usrParcel As Parcel = New Parcel(usrDel)

			userName = txtUserName.Text

			Try
				Dim connected As Boolean = proxy.Connect(msgParcel, usrParcel, userName)
				If connected Then

					btn.Enabled = False
					btnSend.Enabled = True
					txtUserName.Enabled = False
					Me.Text = "Client : " & txtUserName.Text
					ToolStripConnect.Text = "Connected"

					For Each user As String In proxy.getUsers()
						If Not user = "server" Then
							lstUserNames.Items.Add(user)
						End If
					Next

				End If

			Catch ex As Exception
				MsgBox(ex.ToString)
			End Try




		End If

	End Sub


	Private Sub ClientForm_Closing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs) Handles MyBase.Closing
		If Not proxy Is Nothing Then
			proxy.disConnect(userName)
		End If
	End Sub


	Public Sub usrCallBack(ByVal userNames As ArrayList)
		lstUserNames.Items.Clear()
		For Each user As String In userNames
			lstUserNames.Items.Add(user)
		Next
	End Sub


	Public Sub msgCallBack(ByVal msg As String, ByVal userName As String)
		rtbMessages.AppendText(msg)
	End Sub


	Private Sub btnSend_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnSend.Click
		If Not txtMessage.Text = "" Then
			proxy.Message(txtMessage.Text, userName)
			msgCallBack(userName & ": " & txtMessage.Text & vbCrLf, userName)
			txtMessage.Text = ""
			txtMessage.Focus()
		End If

	End Sub


	Private Sub ClientForm_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		btnSend.Enabled = False
		IPAddress = "localhost"
	End Sub


	Private Sub contextUser_Opening(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs) Handles contextUser.Opening
		If Not lstUserNames.SelectedIndex = -1 Then
			MsgBox(lstUserNames.SelectedItem.ToString)
		End If
	End Sub



	Private Sub mnuConfiguration_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles mnuConfiguration.Click
		If myConfiguration Is Nothing Then
			myConfiguration = New Configuration
		End If
		myConfiguration.Show()
	End Sub




End Class

Code for serializable object


<Serializable()> Public Class Parcel

	Private msgDelegate As IServer.msgCallBack
	Private usrDelegate As IServer.usrCallBack


	Public Sub New(ByVal del As IServer.msgCallBack)
		msgDelegate = del
	End Sub

	Public Sub New(ByVal del As IServer.usrCallBack)
		usrDelegate = del
	End Sub

	Public ReadOnly Property msgDel() As IServer.msgCallBack
		Get
			Return msgDelegate
		End Get
	End Property

	Public ReadOnly Property usrDel() As IServer.usrCallBack
		Get
			Return usrDelegate
		End Get
	End Property

End Class

code for interface to server


Public Interface IServer

	Delegate Sub msgCallBack(ByVal s As String, ByVal userName As String)
	Delegate Sub usrCallBack(ByVal userNames As ArrayList)

	Function Connect(ByVal msgDel As Parcel, ByVal usrDel As Parcel, ByVal userName As String) As Boolean
	Sub disConnect(ByVal userName As String)
	Sub Message(ByVal msg As String, ByVal userName As String)
	Sub TickMessage(ByVal msg As String)
	Sub BroadcastUsers(ByVal senderName As String)

	Function getUsers() As ArrayList

End Interface

code for the server Gui ***** not used anymore, this is what the service is replacing... hopefully...


Imports System.Runtime.Remoting
Imports MyServer
Imports SharedClasses

Public Class ServerForm

	Private proxy As New Server

	Public msgDel As IServer.msgCallBack
	Public usrDel As IServer.usrCallBack


	Private Sub ServerForm_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		mnuShutdown.Enabled = False
		Timer1.Enabled = True
	End Sub


	Private Sub StartServerToolStripMenuItem_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles mnuStart.Click
		'configure server
		RemotingConfiguration.Configure("ServerForm.config", False)
		proxy = CType(Activator.GetObject(Type.GetType("SharedClasses.IServer, SharedClasses"), "tcp://localhost:8085/yakkityYak"), IServer)

		'setup delegates
		msgDel = AddressOf MsgCallBack
		Dim msgParcel As Parcel = New Parcel(msgDel)
		usrDel = AddressOf usrCallBack
		Dim usrParcel As Parcel = New Parcel(usrDel)
		'connect to proxy
		Dim connected As Boolean = proxy.Connect(msgParcel, usrParcel, "server")

		mnuStart.Enabled = False
		mnuShutdown.Enabled = True

		toolStripConnect.Text = "Server Started"


	End Sub


	Public Sub MsgCallBack(ByVal msg As String, ByVal userName As String)
		rtbMessages.AppendText(msg)
	End Sub


	Public Sub usrCallBack(ByVal userNames As ArrayList)
		lstUserNames.Items.Clear()
		For Each user As String In userNames
			lstUserNames.Items.Add(user)
		Next
	End Sub

   
	Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
		proxy.TickMessage("sss")
		MsgBox("x")

	End Sub
End Class

thanks for your time