System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll is not a valid Win32 program

Question

I am developing a C# program with visual studio that makes use of the sql compact library. On the developing computer everything works like a charm but on my home computer that has an almost fresh win8 installment I get a System.BadImageFormatException: is not a valid win32 program and I have no clue why.

I have added the Microsoft.SqlServer.Compact package with nuget. this package includes the System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll.

I have also seen on my development computer in the output window of visual studio that the System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll is loaded from GAC. Since my home computer has a fersh win8 installment it does not have the System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll in its GAC but since I have added the Microsoft.SqlServer.Compact package with nuget that should not be problem right?

Answer 1

The problem is probably that your program or one of it's dependancies is 64 bit and you are running it on a 32-bit computer. Go to the project properties, and set the "platform target" to either "Any CPU" or "x86" if you are planning to run it on 32-bit systems.