SQL Prompt Error '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 1, position 1.

• 
  I was able to find figure out the solution to this issue.
  
  1) Uninstalled SQL Prompt
  2) I went into C:\Users\myuser\AppData\Local\RedGate folder and deleted SQL Prompt 10 folder
  3) Installed SQL Prompt
  
  Things are back to normal now.

  surgen August 04, 2020 15:11

  - 0 +
• 
  Hi all, i had same problem after i accidentally hit the power switch.
  
  To fix the issue without re-installing SQL Prompt what I did was 
  1) Exit SQL Management studio
  2) Go to folder C:\Users\myuser\AppData\Local\Red Gate\SQL Prompt 10\
  3) Rename the file (to test it first) RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions.xml to something else like RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions_old.xml
  4) Run SQL Management studio
  
  This will then re-generate this file. It seems this file got corrupted (i.e. its empty) once i run it up and worked I removed renamed file
  
  
  

  Steve_Paxton January 08, 2021 09:48

  - 0 +
• 

  Steve_Paxton said:

  Hi all, i had same problem after i accidentally hit the power switch.
  
  To fix the issue without re-installing SQL Prompt what I did was 
  1) Exit SQL Management studio
  2) Go to folder C:\Users\myuser\AppData\Local\Red Gate\SQL Prompt 10\
  3) Rename the file (to test it first) RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions.xml to something else like RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions_old.xml
  4) Run SQL Management studio
  
  This will then re-generate this file. It seems this file got corrupted (i.e. its empty) once i run it up and worked I removed renamed file
  
  
  

  This worked for me, thank goodness. I didn't want to lose my entire setup. Thanks!

  Cassaundra January 09, 2021 04:10

  - 0 +
• 
  Thanks for your post Steve_Paxton.  This started happening to me around 2021-01-15 and your steps resolved it without losing my snippets.

  lvbarnes_d January 18, 2021 20:35

  - 0 +
• 
  I tried all of the above, but nothing has yet resolved that I get this same error message (and no part of SQL Prompt works).  I uninstalled, re-downloaded and re-installed, but get the same error.  One difference for me, from the instructions above, is that I found no Red Gate (nor RedGate) folder in my C:\Users\"myuser"\AppData\Local\ , nor a folder like 'SQLPrompt', or 'SQL Prompt', nor a file like 'UIOptions'.  The only thing in my AppData\Local folder is the Microsoft folder.  
   In my Program Files (x86) folder, there is a Red Gate/SQL Prompt 10 folder, but it has no xml files in it.  
  
  I'd really like to continue to use this tool that my company bought for me, but I need more suggestions about how to resolve this problem.
  
  

  KathyPDX February 16, 2021 17:10

  - 0 +
• 
  KathyPDX The AppData folder was a hidden folder.  I had to go to the Windows Explorer options, click on View and then enable it to show hidden folders.  HTH
  

  lvbarnes_d February 16, 2021 17:30

  - 0 +
• 
  lvbarnes_d, Thank you!  I knew that AppData and subfolder Local are hidden, but I have often found folders and files within their structure (like the Microsoft one) from search results.  Interesting that some aren't found even by search.  I re-named that xml file, re-tried the process described above, and finally, SQL Prompt is working again! 
  

  KathyPDX February 16, 2021 18:23

  - 0 +
• 
  I gave a positive report too quickly...Yes, SSMS launched, but I could not connect to any server ("Could not load file or assembly") which made working impossible.  I uninstalled SQL Prompt, and now I can connect to the servers again.  Just can't use SQL Prompt. 
  
  Update (an hour later): I upgraded from SSMS v18.2 to v18.8, then re-installed SQL Prompt, and now it all seems to be working: connection to servers AND sql prompt.

  KathyPDX February 16, 2021 18:35

  - 0 +
• 
  I gave a positive report too quickly    Yes, SSMS launched, but I cannot connect to any server, therefore I cannot work.  Now I get this problem:  https://forum.red-gate.com/discussion/87482/update-broke-ssms-and-now-i-cant-use-it

  KathyPDX February 17, 2021 09:02

  - 0 +
• 
  lvbarnes_d, Thank you!  I knew that AppData and subfolder Local are hidden, but I have often found folders and files within their structure (like the Microsoft one) from search results.  Interesting that some aren't found even by search.  Now that I have re-named that xml file, I'll re-try the process described above. 
  

  KathyPDX February 17, 2021 09:02

  - 0 +
• 

  3) Rename the file (to test it first) RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions.xml to something else like RedGate_SQLPrompt_CommonUI_Options_UIOptions_old.xml
  

  4) Run SQL Management studio
  
  This will then re-generate this file. It seems this file got corrupted (i.e. its empty) once i run it up and worked I removed renamed file
  

  This worked for me!  Thank you!
  
  The most irritating thing about this issue:  if you go to the Red Gate support page, and attempt to open a case, it asks for your serial number.  But you can't retrieve your serial number from SQL Prompt because SQL Prompt has died.  Explaining this in the field for serial number gets you a "that's not a valid serial number" message, after you've spent ten minutes documenting, and making annotated screen shots. 
  
  And you can't call the support number.  I mean, you can, but nobody answers.  Not even a voicemail.
  
  So:  thanks!

  slow September 07, 2022 19:22

  - 0 +
• 
  Ahhh this is a big win, thanks @Steve_Paxton!
  
  

  q_pac September 14, 2022 13:30

  - 0 +

Add comment

Please sign in to leave a comment.