LINQPad can't find Entity Framework 4.3: Could not load file or assembly EntityFramework

Question

I'm trying to use LINQPad with my MVC3 project that is using Entity Framework 4.3. In LINQPad I create a new connection like this: Add Connection -> Use A typed Data Context -> EF DBContext POCO Point it to my assembly, provide full typename, reference web.config. Then try to test and see this error:

I've installed EF via nuget, so it is not referenced in GAC. (I have tried that, I could not do it, don't think EF is GAC'able, but I could be wrong here). I've copied EntityFramework.dll into the same folder as LINQPad - no luck. Then added this to linqpad.exe.config

<assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
  <dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity name="EntityFramework" publicKeyToken="b77a5c561934e089" culture="neutral" />
    <bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-4.3.1.0" newVersion="4.3.1.0" />
  </dependentAssembly>
</assemblyBinding>

but no luck. Keep getting the same problem. I've seen this post and been here - no luck.

Any other ideas??

p.s. I'm using EF 4.3, LINQPad 4.42.01. Just tried the latest LINQPad Beta and the same problem.

UPDATE: According to Joe, this problem is fixed in 4.42.5, at the moment available in Beta: www.linqpad.net/beta.aspx. Did have a go on it and it was indeed fixed.

Answer 1

This is a known problem, although I can't fix it because I can't reproduce it.

The workaround is here: http://forum.linqpad.net/discussion/21/does-linqpad-support-ef-4-3-1-now#latest

Answer 2

I've experienced this problem when using a LocalDb connection with the |DataDirectory| alias. Fixed by following Joe's suggestion to create a separate web.config with only the connection string, but also gave it an absolute path.