I just started using vs2008 everything has worked fine up until now, when I try to switch to design mode for a new web project; without changing anything in a new web project it looks like the design mode is locked up whenever I switch to it. Visual studio does not lock up, just the panel. To get back to code I just click the X for the window and click view code. I have tested this with a new project and an old project.

 Any ideas? I'd rather not reinstall. But I will if nothing else works.

Does it happen with all pages (including empty new page) or is it specific to a given page?

It happens every time, when I create a new web project with only default code, with an existing project with code, and a blank .aspx page with absolutly no code.

 I just reinstalled everything and it did not fix it.

What is version and date of the fpeditax.dll in Program Files\Microsoft Web Designer Tools\VWD ?

the only 2 files I see in VWD are in VWD\1033 FPEDSAT.DLL and FPUTLSAT.DLL both are dated 10/26/06

It looks like designer is not installed. Try running WebDesignerCore.exe from dvd\WCU\WebDesignerCore. Designer setup does not have UI, just give it a few minutes to finish. When it is done, you should see Microsoft Web Designer Tools (or Microsoft Web Authoring Component) in Control Panel.

It worked. Thanks!

In my case this solution does not work.

A had almost the same symptoms with design view, but another solution for me. I installed SharePoint Designer 2010 (CTP) instead of SharePoint Designer 2007. It seems that VS 2008 do not work with new SharePoint Designer 2010 since Microsoft Visual Studio Web Authoring Component uses Office components. After uninstallation of 2010 version and installation 2007 all works fine as earlier. Possibly reinstallation of SharePoint Designer 2007 may help in other cases.