Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Replication, Version=9.0.242.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91'

Question

I am using .net application built in .net 2.0 using SQL server Express 2005 Replication publication functionality. Application setup is in 32 bit.
Now i am running this .net application setup on Windows-7 [64 bit]. It gets installed successfully with SQL server Express 2005.
But when starting the application getting below error while performing Synchronization of subscription and publication via .net app.  I have checked that Microsoft.SqlServer.Replication.dll file is installed in GAC having same version
[Version=9.0.242.0]. It is working fine on 32-bit OS.    
Below is error details.
TITLE: SETSynchConsole
Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Replication, Version=9.0.242.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91' or one of its dependencies. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.

Answer 1

Hi deshpasu,
According to your description, you install SQL Server Express 2005, and OS is 64bit. If your assembly is running as a 32 bit process and it is unable to load a 64 bit dll, we get a exception , so we need to verify if you install Microsoft SQL Server
2005 Replication Management Objects. These are not installed by default database engine install.
This is 64bit OS so you should install 64bit "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Replication Management Objects" from online feature pack of SQL Server 2005.
If SQL Express x86 setup (with Database Engine, Replication selected at setup) installs Microsoft.SqlServer.Replication and so this load error does not occur on 32bit systems.
For more information, see:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41449/i-get-a-an-attempt-was-made-to-load-a-program-with-an-incorrect-format-error-o
Regards,
Sofiya Li
Sofiya Li
TechNet Community Support