Develop Reference

Problem with: Access to the path '$(sourceFolder)\Foundation\Articles\serialization' is denied

Server Error in '/' Application.
Access to the path '$(sourceFolder)\Foundation\Articles\serialization' is denied.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path '$(sourceFolder)\Foundation\Articles\serialization' is denied.
ASP.NET is not authorized to access the requested resource. Consider granting access rights to the resource to the ASP.NET request identity. ASP.NET has a base process identity (typically {MACHINE}\ASPNET on IIS 5 or Network Service on IIS 6 and IIS 7, and the configured application pool identity on IIS 7.5) that is used if the application is not impersonating. If the application is impersonating via , the identity will be the anonymous user (typically IUSR_MACHINENAME) or the authenticated request user.
To grant ASP.NET access to a file, right-click the file in File Explorer, choose "Properties" and select the Security tab. Click "Add" to add the appropriate user or group. Highlight the ASP.NET account, and check the boxes for the desired access.
Source Error:
An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.
Stack Trace:
[UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path '$(sourceFolder)\Foundation\Articles\serialization' is denied.]
System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath) +435
System.IO.Directory.InternalCreateDirectory(String fullPath, String path, Object dirSecurityObj, Boolean checkHost) +1436
System.IO.Directory.InternalCreateDirectoryHelper(String path, Boolean checkHost) +98
Rainbow.Storage.SerializationFileSystemDataStore.InitializeRootPath(String rootPath) +346
Rainbow.Storage.SerializationFileSystemDataStore..ctor(String physicalRootPath, Boolean useDataCache, ITreeRootFactory rootFactory, ISerializationFormatter formatter) +236
lambda_method(Closure , Object[] ) +246
Configy.Containers.MicroContainer.Activate(Type type, KeyValuePair`2[] unmappedConstructorParameters) +841
Unicorn.Configuration.<>c__DisplayClass8_0.<RegisterConfigTypeInterface>b__3() +41
System.Lazy`1.CreateValue() +734
System.Lazy`1.LazyInitValue() +189
Unicorn.Data.ConfigurationDataStore.RegisterForChanges(Action`2 actionOnChange) +19
Unicorn.Data.DataProvider.UnicornDataProvider..ctor(ITargetDataStore targetDataStore, ISourceDataStore sourceDataStore, IPredicate predicate, IFieldFilter fieldFilter, IUnicornDataProviderLogger logger, IUnicornDataProviderConfiguration dataProviderConfiguration, ISyncConfiguration syncConfiguration, PredicateRootPathResolver rootPathResolver) +549
lambda_method(Closure , Object[] ) +402
Configy.Containers.MicroContainer.Activate(Type type, KeyValuePair`2[] unmappedConstructorParameters) +841
Configy.Containers.MicroContainer.Resolve() +110
System.Linq.WhereSelectArrayIterator`2.MoveNext() +145
System.Linq.Buffer`1..ctor(IEnumerable`1 source) +284
System.Linq.Enumerable.ToArray(IEnumerable`1 source) +90
Unicorn.Data.DataProvider.UnicornSqlServerDataProvider..ctor(String connectionString) +222
[TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.]
System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethod(Object target, Object[] arguments, Signature sig, Boolean constructor) +0
System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture) +223
Sitecore.Reflection.ReflectionUtil.CreateObject(Type type, Object[] parameters) +119
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateFromTypeName(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +108
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper) +163
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +72
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(String configPath, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +703
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateFromReference(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +170
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper) +116
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +72
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.GetInnerObject(XmlNode paramNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +947
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.AssignProperties(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Object obj, Boolean assert, Boolean deferred, IFactoryHelper helper) +545
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert, IFactoryHelper helper) +326
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(XmlNode configNode, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +72
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.CreateObject(String configPath, String[] parameters, Boolean assert) +703
Sitecore.Configuration.DefaultFactory.GetDatabase(String name, Boolean assert) +157
Sitecore.XA.Foundation.Multisite.Providers.SxaSiteProvider.GetSiteList() +51
Sitecore.XA.Foundation.Multisite.Providers.SxaSiteProvider.InitializeSites() +105
Sitecore.XA.Foundation.Multisite.Providers.SxaSiteProvider.GetSites() +18
System.Linq.<SelectManyIterator>d__17`2.MoveNext() +265
Sitecore.Sites.SiteCollection.AddRange(IEnumerable`1 sites) +221
Sitecore.Sites.SitecoreSiteProvider.GetSites() +258
Sitecore.Sites.DefaultSiteContextFactory.GetSites() +253
Sitecore.XA.Foundation.Multisite.SiteInfoResolver.get_Sites() +60
Sitecore.XA.Foundation.Multisite.Pipelines.Initialize.InitSiteManager.Process(PipelineArgs args) +85
(Object , Object ) +9
Sitecore.Pipelines.CorePipeline.Run(PipelineArgs args) +490
Sitecore.Pipelines.DefaultCorePipelineManager.Run(String pipelineName, PipelineArgs args, String pipelineDomain, Boolean failIfNotExists) +236
Sitecore.Pipelines.DefaultCorePipelineManager.Run(String pipelineName, PipelineArgs args, String pipelineDomain) +22
Sitecore.Nexus.Web.HttpModule.Application_Start() +220
Sitecore.Nexus.Web.HttpModule.Init(HttpApplication app) +1165
System.Web.HttpApplication.RegisterEventSubscriptionsWithIIS(IntPtr appContext, HttpContext context, MethodInfo[] handlers) +584
System.Web.HttpApplication.InitSpecial(HttpApplicationState state, MethodInfo[] handlers, IntPtr appContext, HttpContext context) +168
System.Web.HttpApplicationFactory.GetSpecialApplicationInstance(IntPtr appContext, HttpContext context) +277
System.Web.Hosting.PipelineRuntime.InitializeApplication(IntPtr appContext) +369
[HttpException (0x80004005): Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.]
System.Web.HttpRuntime.FirstRequestInit(HttpContext context) +532
System.Web.HttpRuntime.EnsureFirstRequestInit(HttpContext context) +111
System.Web.HttpRuntime.ProcessRequestNotificationPrivate(IIS7WorkerRequest wr, HttpContext context) +724
Iv tried suggestions taken from the following:
Problems with error: "Access to the path is denied."
1) Open Internet Information Systems (IIS) Manager
2) Expand the site you want to modify (hit the plus next to the name)
3) Right-click the directory where you would like to be able to write files and select Edit Permissions
4) Click on the Security tab
5) Click on Edit... under the group and users list
6) Select IIS_IUSRS from the "Groups or user names" list and add make sure the Allow checkbox is marked for Write.
ASP.NET is not authorized to access the requested resource when accessing temp folder
a really simple fix to solve my issue, in IIS I had to right click on Application Pools and set .NET Framework V4 to Integrated rather than classic/.
Another solution was to set the specific folder that was being accessed to read/write to the users that required it, this can be done by unique users or within an organization, a group of users
(https://stackoverflow.com/a/47503132/19587900)
(1) I have gone to wwwroot folder. Right-click and security tab. Provided IISUSER to set read and write permission to the wwwroot folder.
(2) Changed the application pool to the separate pool and set identity to Application pool Identity.
Iv tried other things but so far no success

Looks like you're trying to create a folder that starts with "$(sourceFolder)", that's not going to work well. Are you missing a variable definition like:
<sc.variable name="sourceFolder" set:value="c:\whatever" />

Not able to read values from Azure KeyVault. The specified user does not have a valid profile

We have multiple servers on which we are hosting an ASP.NET website on IIS. In the website we are trying to fetch values from Azure KeyVault.
In one server for some reason it fails to read the values from Azure KeyVault with an error 'The specified user does not have a valid profile'. We have done investigation, double-checked configuration, permission rights on files - everything looks okay. Also tried to adjust profile in IIS, nothing helped.
Here is the stack trace:
Exception information:
Exception type: ConfigurationErrorsException
Exception message: An error occurred loading a configuration file: The specified user does not have a valid profile. Unable to load 'Microsoft.Configuration.ConfigurationBuilders.Azure, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral'. (D:\<website_path> line 77)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.EvaluateOne(String[] keys, SectionInput input, Boolean isTrusted, FactoryRecord factoryRecord, SectionRecord sectionRecord, Object parentResult)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.Evaluate(FactoryRecord factoryRecord, SectionRecord sectionRecord, Object parentResult, Boolean getLkg, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission)
at System.Web.Util.AppSettings.GetAppSettingsSection()
at System.Web.Util.AppSettings.EnsureSettingsLoaded()
at System.Web.Util.AppSettings.get_PortableCompilationOutput()
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.RestorePortableCompilationOutputSnapshot()
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.ExecutePreAppStart()
at System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.Initialize(ApplicationManager appManager, IApplicationHost appHost, IConfigMapPathFactory configMapPathFactory, HostingEnvironmentParameters hostingParameters, PolicyLevel policyLevel, Exception appDomainCreationException)
The specified user does not have a valid profile. Unable to load 'Microsoft.Configuration.ConfigurationBuilders.Azure, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral'.
at System.Configuration.TypeUtil.GetTypeImpl(String typeString, Boolean throwOnError)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationBuildersSection.InstantiateBuilder(ProviderSettings ps)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationBuildersSection.GetBuilderFromName(String builderName)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionXmlReader(String[] keys, SectionInput input)
Has anyone experienced a similar issue?
Any help will be appreciated.

I have answered a similar question here: Function app in Azure could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions'
Do check out - it can be because of same reasons. There may be a nuget package which requires different version of Microsoft.Configuration.ConfigurationBuilders.Azure: 2.0.0. But, you have a version installed which is incompatible.

After doing some debugging we have found the issue. It turned out that under Environment variables for the user we had everything correct, but under environment variables for system we mistyped AZURE_TENTANT_ID. Explains why it was working as a console application (run as current user) and not as a Windows Service (run as system)

Sitefinity 7.0 500 Error - System.Web.HttpCompileException

I have a Sitefinity 7.0 project I am developing that has been working fine until just this week. Now I get a 500 error everytime I try to access the Dashboard or any other backend page. The login works, but the desired page always fails, whether running in VS2013 or published and run from IIS 7
I have rolled back all code and data changes to well before when the site was trouble free. I'm really desperate to find the cause of the issue. The production site hosted on WS2008R2 is still trouble free, but I need to continue development on my Windows 8.1 box.
​
Log file details:
Message: HandlingInstanceID: 90fbe7e3-4606-4131-bbec-cfc0d6c34060
An exception of type 'System.Web.HttpCompileException' occurred and was caught.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/18/2015 12:36:19
Type : System.Web.HttpCompileException, System.Web, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
Message : External component has thrown an exception.
Source : System.Web
Help link :
Results : System.CodeDom.Compiler.CompilerResults
SourceCode :
WebEventCode : 0
ErrorCode : -2147467259
Data : System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal
TargetSite : System.CodeDom.Compiler.CompilerResults Compile()
HResult : -2147467259
Stack Trace : at System.Web.Compilation.AssemblyBuilder.Compile()
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildProvidersCompiler.PerformBuild()
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CompileWebFile(VirtualPath virtualPath)
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultWithNoAssert(HttpContext context, VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVirtualPathObjectFactory(VirtualPath virtualPath, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean throwIfNotFound)
at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CreateInstanceFromVirtualPath(VirtualPath virtualPath, Type requiredBaseType, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp)
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.ControlUtilities.CompileControl(String virtualPath)
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.ControlUtilities.LoadControl(String virtualPath, Page page)
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.VirtualPathTemplate.InstantiateIn(Control container, PlaceHoldersCollection placeHolders)
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.SimpleView.CreateContainer(ITemplate template)
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.SimpleView.get_Container()
at Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI.SimpleView.CreateChildControls()
at System.Web.UI.Control.EnsureChildControls()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Control.PreRenderRecursiveInternal()
at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint)
at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequest(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint)
at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequest()
at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequest(HttpContext context)
at ASP.sfpageservice_45d368fb_a8a8_4cb0_8929_9f5d2f788882_120t8d6701230_default_aspx.ProcessRequest(HttpContext context) in c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\Temporary ASP.NET Files\root\4e8361a9\d9057781\App_Web_45d368fb-a8a8-4cb0-8929-9f5d2f788882_120t8d6701230_default.aspx.d63928b6.xuf1ckmk.0.cs:line 0
at System.Web.HttpApplication.CallHandlerExecutionStep.System.Web.HttpApplication.IExecutionStep.Execute()
at System.Web.HttpApplication.ExecuteStep(IExecutionStep step, Boolean& completedSynchronously)
Additional Info:
TimeStamp : 18/11/2015 2:36:19 AM
FullName : Telerik.Sitefinity.Utilities, Version=7.0.5114.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b28c218413bdf563
AppDomainName : /LM/W3SVC/20/ROOT-1-130922877442563104
WindowsIdentity : IIS APPPOOL\AITSL-Source

The resolution was uninstalling Microsoft updates until the problem disappeared. The issue would appear associated with Security Update for Microsoft Windows KB3098779
Remove this and the site reverts back to normal functionality. The explanation of the update from Microsoft is:
This update resolves vulnerabilities in the Microsoft .NET Framework. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker injects a client-side script into a user’s browser.

Catastrophic failure in constructor of XMLValidatingReader

I am developing a library (VS 2010, assembly targeted for AnyCPU) and I am getting the following error while stepping over the constructor of XmlValidationReader(..). The parameter for this constructor is an instance of XmlReader(), and the specific XML is syntactically correct, and validates with third party tool.
Error: Catastrophic failure (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8000FFFF
(E_UNEXPECTED))
Exception object: System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException
Stack trace:
System.Security.Policy.PEFileEvidenceFactory.GetLocationEvidence(SafePEFileHandle
peFile, SecurityZone& zone, StringHandleOnStack retUrl) at
System.Security.Policy.PEFileEvidenceFactory.GenerateLocationEvidence()
at System.Security.Policy.PEFileEvidenceFactory.GenerateEvidence(Type
evidenceType) at
System.Security.Policy.AssemblyEvidenceFactory.GenerateEvidence(Type
evidenceType) at
System.Security.Policy.Evidence.GetHostEvidenceNoLock(Type type) at
System.Security.Policy.Evidence.GetHostEvidence(Type type, Boolean
markDelayEvaluatedEvidenceUsed) at
System.Security.Policy.AppDomainEvidenceFactory.GenerateEvidence(Type
evidenceType) at
System.Security.Policy.Evidence.GetHostEvidenceNoLock(Type type) at
System.Security.Policy.Evidence.RawEvidenceEnumerator.MoveNext() at
System.Security.Policy.Evidence.EvidenceEnumerator.MoveNext() at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths.GetEvidenceInfo(AppDomain
appDomain, String exePath, String& typeName) at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths.GetTypeAndHashSuffix(AppDomain
appDomain, String exePath) at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths..ctor(String exePath, Boolean
includeUserConfig) at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigPaths.GetPaths(String exePath,
Boolean includeUserConfig) at
System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationHost.RequireCompleteInit(IInternalConfigRecord
record) at
System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String
configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean
getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object&
resultRuntimeObject) at
System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String
configKey) at
System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String
sectionName) at
System.Xml.Schema.XmlSchemaCollection..ctor(XmlNameTable nametable)
at System.Xml.XmlValidatingReaderImpl..ctor(XmlReader reader) at
System.Xml.XmlValidatingReader..ctor(XmlReader reader)
I have not changed any security configuration in the system. The specific account under which the assembly is loaded has administrative privileges. Any idea of what could cause this issue? I have run through the web extensively, but in vain.

TypeInitializationException when starting Windows Service because config section can not be created

I have a strange error on a specific Windows Server 2008 R2 machine (it works on other 2008 R2 machines) when starting a Windows Service. The service uses Common.Logging and log4net. However, on this specific machine the config section handler for Common.Logging can not be created.
It fails with the following stack traces (formatted for better readability). What surprises me most is the SecurityException. What can cause this?
Does anyone have a clue?
System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for
'MyWindowsService.Program' threw an exception.
--->
Common.Logging.ConfigurationException: Failed obtaining configuration for
Common.Logging from configuration section 'common/logging'.
--->
System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: An error occurred creating
the configuration section handler for common/logging: Request failed.
(C:\Path\MyWindowsService.exe.Config line 7)
--->
System.Security.SecurityException: Request failed.
at System.RuntimeTypeHandle.CreateInstance(
RuntimeType type, Boolean publicOnly, Boolean noCheck, Boolean& canBeCached,
RuntimeMethodHandleInternal& ctor, Boolean& bNeedSecurityCheck)
at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceSlow(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis,
Boolean fillCache)
at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceDefaultCtor(Boolean publicOnly,
Boolean skipVisibilityChecks, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache)
at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type, Boolean nonPublic)
at System.Configuration.TypeUtil.CreateInstanceWithReflectionPermission(Type type)
at System.Configuration.RuntimeConfigurationRecord.RuntimeConfigurationFactory.Init(
RuntimeConfigurationRecord configRecord, FactoryRecord factoryRecord)
at System.Configuration.RuntimeConfigurationRecord.RuntimeConfigurationFactory.InitWithRestrictedPermissions(
RuntimeConfigurationRecord configRecord, FactoryRecord factoryRecord)
at System.Configuration.RuntimeConfigurationRecord.CreateSectionFactory(
FactoryRecord factoryRecord)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.FindAndEnsureFactoryRecord(
String configKey, Boolean& isRootDeclaredHere)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
It continues with:
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.FindAndEnsureFactoryRecord(
String configKey, Boolean& isRootDeclaredHere)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(
String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject,
Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
at Common.Logging.LogManager.<>c__DisplayClass6.<BuildLoggerFactoryAdapter>b__3()
at Common.Logging.Configuration.ArgUtils.<>c__DisplayClass13.<Guard>b__12()
at Common.Logging.Configuration.ArgUtils.Guard[T](Function`1 function,
String messageFormat, Object[] args)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at Common.Logging.Configuration.ArgUtils.Guard[T](Function`1 function,
String messageFormat, Object[] args)
at Common.Logging.LogManager.BuildLoggerFactoryAdapter()
at Common.Logging.LogManager.get_Adapter()
at Common.Logging.LogManager.GetLogger(Type type)
at MyWindowsService.Program..cctor()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at MyWindowsService.Program.Main(String[] args)
My configuration looks like this (the Common.Logging part of it anyway).
<configSections>
<sectionGroup name="common">
<section name="logging"
type="Common.Logging.ConfigurationSectionHandler, Common.Logging" />
</sectionGroup>
</configSections>
<common>
<logging>
<factoryAdapter
type="Common.Logging.Log4Net.Log4NetLoggerFactoryAdapter,Common.Logging.Log4net">
<arg key="configType" value="INLINE" />
</factoryAdapter>
</logging>
</common>

I've seen strange things happening when customers downloaded our zip (ASP.NET application) file from our website. Because of the security feature "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer".
Unblocking the files solved all strange problems, this would explain why this is only happening on some computers with exactly the same configuration.
The Unblock option is shown only when the file is actually blocked in the General tab of the file properties dialog:

You might also check in Visual Studio 2013 if the Project > Properties > Application Tab > Startup Object dropdown is configured to point to the Program class of the windows service. If the value isn't set, the service will fail to start with System.TypeInitializationException.

Seems like you need to give permissions to the service account to access the config file.
EDIT: Actually on second glance it doesn't seem like that's the problem, because it's actually reading the config file, but you should double check the permissions anyways.
UPDATE: This is a known issue with .NET 4.0, but there is a workaround - see http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/clr/thread/1e14f665-10a3-426b-a75d-4e66354c5522.

Turned out for me to be because I was running the executable from a network mapped drive which .NET considers unsecure