MS SQL Server 2008 "Side-By-Side Configuration" Error

With only three days left before deploying to TEST, my SQL Server database went CRAZY on me!

An error to this effect kept showing up each time I tried to run MS SQL SERVER 2008 R2:

“The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail.”

After hunting around for 2 days I found this awesome post by a MS blogger (Cesardl) - 

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cesardelatorre/archive/2011/03/27/the-application-has-failed-to-start-because-its-side-by-side-configuration-is-incorrect-error-related-to-mmc-exe-programs-and-weird-cause-amp-simple-solution.aspx

I have taken his post and simplified it  below:

Step 1:

Find the Ssms.exe.config file on your machine.

It is found here:

i) C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 64 bit Windows 7.

ii) C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 32 bit Windows 7.

Step 2:

Rename the exiting Ssms.exe.config file to Ssms.exe.configxxx.

Step 3:

Use notepad.exe (Press Start and type "notepad.exe" + press enter) to create a new  Ssms.exe.config file.

Save it here:

i) C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 64 bit Windows 7.

ii) C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE - 32 bit Windows 7.

Yes, you are just saving an empty file, stay with me. :)

Step 4:

Copy the XML code below and paste it into your new Ssms.exe.config file.  Save.

<configuration>

   <runtime>

      <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">

       <dependentAssembly>

         <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.WindowsAzure.StorageClient"

                           publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35"

                           culture="neutral" />

         <bindingRedirect oldVersion="1.0.0.0"

                          newVersion="1.1.0.0"/>

       </dependentAssembly>

       <dependentAssembly>

         <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.WindowsAzure.StorageClient"

                           publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35"

                           culture="neutral" />

          <publisherPolicy apply="no" />

       </dependentAssembly>

      </assemblyBinding>

   </runtime>

</configuration>

Step 5:

Open SQL Server 2008 R2 as "Administrator" of your computer. This allows the programs to re-register certain components.

You should be good to go!