SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1 central deployment

Question

I have created application which uses SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1. I tried using central deployment. So I added reference to System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll (of SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1 )using add reference in visual studio.

Then I tried running application in

On a windows XP PC having only .net 2.0 and SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1. But it didn't work and gave error like

System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'System.Data.SqlServerCe, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.
Then I tried on a PC with only .net 2.0 and SQL Server CE 4.0. It worked properly.

So how it does not work for SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1 even if I added System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll of SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1? What I am missing? Should i need to change anything in my code (.config) to target 4.0 SP1?

The installtion of SQL CE on the first PC is broken. Reinstall/repair. Make sure to reference assembly version 4.0.0.0 everywhere (and not 4.0.0.1). There is not api differnce between 4.0 and 4.0 SP1 — ErikEJ
@JesseJames if i set copy local=true to only System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll den i wil get error like "Unable to load the native components of SQL Server Compact corresponding to the ADO.NET provider of version 8854. Install the correct version of SQL Server Compact. Refer to KB article 974247 for more details." If I include all dll from SQL ce install folder(native components) then it works . but it will be private deployment.I have asked the same in question here stackoverflow.com/questions/27548397/… and it worked. — IT researcher

ErikEJ ErikEJ · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-23T07:43:25

SQL Server Compact 4.0 requires .NET 3.5 SP1 or later. It will not run a machine with just .NET 2.0. See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17876

SQL Server CE 4.0 SP1 central deployment

1 Answers