Pocket PC and .NET Compact Framework Deploy Issues
Recently I've been playing with creating an application for a Pocket PC. Visual Studio 2005 (with Pocket PC SDK) and ActiveSync 4.1 make this a relatively simple project. Simple means that VS2005 provides a form designer and emulator for all your design and debugging needs. Once you've connected your actual device with ActiveSync you can deploy to it with just a quick change of menu option (If you want more details on this process I can write up a quick guide).
So, what could possibly go wrong? Well, you your device should have the latest version of the .NET Compact Framework. Fortunately VS2005 offers this nifty little option in the solution properties, devices tab: "Deploy the latest version of the .NET Compact Framework". Just make sure that option is checked, right? Except it just wasn't that simple. After a few attempts failed and I was beginning to get frustrated I decided to forego the built-in option and update the framework myself. I uninstalled the framework and reinstalled it on the device. And, surprise! now it works!...no more deployment errors, just fun fun fun!
I don't know why the VS2005 option resulted in error after error, but I am glad that Microsoft's installer packet worked.