The type initializer for 'System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection' threw an exception. vb.net gina SQL

Hi,

I have written my own custom gina, which then calls into a .net assembly(dll).

Within this assembly im trying to connect to a SQL database, but receive the following error:

The type initializer for 'System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection' threw an exception.

It happens on the following line in my code:

 _sqlCnn = New SqlConnection(connectionString)

where connectionString is a valid connection string as i use the same one as a previous application that worked.  Any idea? please note that im NOT logged in, so I believe the process is running under a SYSTEM account, the same as the windows logon app.

Full trace details are:

2006-06-15 13:46:05 ERR -1        ForgotPasswordService System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection' threw an exception. ---> System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory' threw an exception. ---> System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'System.Data.SqlClient.SqlPerformanceCounters' threw an exception. ---> System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Configuration system failed to initialize ---> System.ArgumentException: Illegal characters in path.
                                           at System.Security.Permissions.FileIOPermission.HasIllegalCharacters(String[] str)
                                           at System.Security.Permissions.FileIOPermission.AddPathList(FileIOPermissionAccess access, AccessControlActions control, String[] pathListOrig, Boolean checkForDuplicates, Boolean needFullPath, Boolean copyPathList)
                                           at System.Security.Permissions.FileIOPermission..ctor(FileIOPermissionAccess access, String[] pathList, Boolean checkForDuplicates, Boolean needFullPath)
                                           at System.IO.Path.GetFullPath(String path)
                                           at System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths..ctor(String exePath, Boolean includeUserConfig)
                                           at System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths.GetPaths(String exePath, Boolean includeUserConfig)
                                           at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationHost.get_ConfigPaths()
                                           at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationHost.GetStreamName(String configPath)
                                           at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem..ctor()
                                           at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.EnsureConfigurationSystem()
                                           --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
                                           at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.EnsureConfigurationSystem()
                                           at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
                                           at System.Configuration.PrivilegedConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
                                           at System.Diagnostics.DiagnosticsConfiguration.GetConfigSection()
                                           at System.Diagnostics.DiagnosticsConfiguration.Initialize()
                                           at System.Diagnostics.Switch.InitializeConfigSettings()
                                           at System.Diagnostics.Switch.InitializeWithStatus()
                                           at System.Diagnostics.Switch.get_SwitchSetting()
                                           at System.Diagnostics.TraceSwitch.get_Level()
                                           at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPoolCounters..ctor(String categoryName, String categoryHelp)
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlPerformanceCounters..ctor()
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlPerformanceCounters..cctor()
                                           --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory..ctor()
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory..cctor()
                                           --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection..cctor()
                                           --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection..ctor()
                                           at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection..ctor(String connectionString)
                                           at CustomIE.DatabaseLibrary.StoredProcedure..ctor(String spName, String connectionString)Start Free Trial