Cannot use external references with C# Console Application

Question

I have tried all the suggestions below but still no joy.

I'm now trying a console application, and let me explain exactly what I'm doing.

1. I create a new console project in VS 2010
2. I add a number of references (dll's) some that aren't mine such as Castle.Winsor and N2 CMS dlls
3. in the console app I can add using statements indicating I am using name spaces within the referenced DLLs
4. I start writing code.
5. As soon as I compile all the code that uses the referenced DLLs immediately complains with "The type or namespace name '' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)"

I have tried setting the dlls to copy to local always, I have copied the DLL into the same directory, I have tried added reference by project and adding a reference to the DLL's themselves

I don't get this problem with a web application project or a ASP.net project they always work fine, only something that is compiled to an EXE like a console app or windows service.

there must be something I'm missing or I would have got this working by now.

Answer 1

Change the project Target to a non Client Profile target. Right click the Project and select Properties, you should see a list of Framework versions. As you are using VS2010, the Console project you've created by default targets .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile, change that to .NET Framework 4.0.

Answer 2

Check if Copy Local is set to true for the referenced assembly.