SSMS crash when creating new database diagram

Question

For several years I have been unable to create database diagrams from within SSMS.  I have tried every combination of VS2005, VS2008, VS2012 and VS2013 with every combination of SQL2005, SQL2008, SQL2012 and SQL2014.
I have installed, uninstalled, and repaired many dozens of times.  I am currently using VS2013 ultimate with SQL2014 express.
I have tried every related 'workaround' that I can find on the internet.  Still the problem persists.
Any help would be deeply appreciated.
Here are the relevant details with file versions:
In SSMS, I right-click on a database and choose New Database Diagram.  A Blank diagram window appears with the SSMS error dialog:
===================================
Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt. (Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop)
Program Location:
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop.IOleCommandTarget.QueryStatus(Guid& pguidCmdGroup, UInt32 cCmds, OLECMD[] prgCmds, IntPtr pCmdText)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.DocumentObjectSite.QueryStatus(Guid& pguidCmdGroup, UInt32 cCmds, OLECMD[] prgCmds, IntPtr pCmdText)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.QueryStatus(Guid& pguidCmdGroup, UInt32 cCmds, OLECMD[] prgCmds, IntPtr pCmdText)
   at Microsoft.Internal.VisualStudio.Shell.Interop.IVsTrackSelectionExPrivate.Register()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.ConnectSelectionContext()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.Activate()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowManagerService.viewManager_ActiveViewChanged(Object sender, ActiveViewChangedEventArgs e)
   at System.EventHandler`1.Invoke(Object sender, TEventArgs e)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.PlatformUI.ExtensionMethods.RaiseEvent[TEventArgs](EventHandler`1 eventHandler, Object source, TEventArgs args)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.PlatformUI.Shell.ViewManager.SetActiveView(View view, ActivationType type)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.ShowInternal(ShowFlags showFlags)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.<Show>b__26()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ErrorHandler.CallWithCOMConvention(Func`1 method)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.Show()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.MarshalingWindowFrame.<Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Interop.IVsWindowFrame.Show>b__7a()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.ThreadHelper.Invoke[TResult](Func`1 method)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Platform.WindowManagement.WindowFrame.MarshalingWindowFrame.Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Interop.IVsWindowFrame.Show()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.VirtualProject.CreateDesigner(Urn origUrn, DocumentType editorType, DocumentOptions aeOptions, IManagedConnection con, String fileName)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.VirtualProject.Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.ISqlVirtualProject.CreateDesigner(Urn origUrn, DocumentType editorType, DocumentOptions aeOptions, IManagedConnection
con, String fileName)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.ISqlVirtualProject.CreateDesigner(Urn origUrn, DocumentType editorType, DocumentOptions aeOptions, IManagedConnection con, String fileName)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.VsDocumentMenuItem.CreateDesignerWindow(IManagedConnection mc, DocumentOptions options)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.VsDocumentMenuItem.InvokeDesigner(IManagedConnection connection)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.Editors.VsDocumentMenuItem.Invoke()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.ObjectExplorer.ToolsMenuItemBase.MenuInvokedHandler(Object sender, EventArgs args)
Version info taken from Sql Server  Management Studio/Help/About dialog:
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio      12.0.2000.8
Microsoft Analysis Services Client Tools    12.0.2000.8
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC)     6.1.7601.17514
Microsoft MSXML                             3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer                 9.11.9600.17358
Microsoft .NET Framework                    4.0.30319.18444
Operating System                            6.1.7601
DLL versions
c:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\Visual Database Tools
dsref80.dll  version 12.0.21005.1
c:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\MSDesigners8
msdds.dll    12.0.21005.1
msddsf.dll   12.0.21005.1
msddslm.dll  12.0.21005.1
msdds.mp.dll 12.0.21005.1
msddsp.dll   12.0.21005.1
c:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\MSDesigners8\Resources\1033
msddsui.dll 12.0.21005.1

Answer 1

Hello,
There is a Connect item related to this issue. This is the link of that Connect item:
https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/730985/smss-crashes-when-creating-new-database-diagram
Try the workarounds posted there (Workarounds section).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com