x86 Remote Debugger Service on x64

This works on my machine(TM) after installing rdbgsetup_x64.exe and going through the configuration wizard:

sc stop msvsmon90
sc config msvsmon90 binPath= "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\Remote Debugger\x86\msvsmon.exe /service msvsmon90"
sc start msvsmon90

We had the same problem when trying to remote debug a website that is running as 32 bit inside 64 bit IIS.

You can also do this:

  • Stop the default debugging service (which will be x64 as the installer will have been clever and configured that one to run).
  • Navigate to the Remote Debugger start menu folder and run the x86 debugging service. Ignore the warning about
    32bit/64bit.
  • Open the Tools->Options window of the remote debugger app window and make
    note of the value in the 'Server
    Name' text box.
  • Now you can attach your visual studio to it by copying the 'Server Name'
    value into the 'Qualifier' text/combo box on the Attach To Process dialog
    of Visual Studio.

On a related note, there is also a low-level bug with Kerberos authentication if you are attaching from Windows 2008/7/Vista to a 2003 machine, reported to MS (and then closed as 'external') via Connect here: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=508455