tfs - How do I get my build agent to build a solution with external project references? -

currently plagued 2 tfs build issues:

issue one: have solution project references dll product of project in solution. build agent not seem include these dlls , build fails.

issue two: have solution references project in solution. build agent not seem include externally referenced project , build fails.

i have looked @ "copy directory" build activity have no idea shim in or put source , output values.

the best practice use project references referencing other projects within same solution. references external solution should use file references, , check in compiled dll being referenced.

solution1   \project1  --> project1.dll   \project2  --> project2.dll  solution2   \projecta (references project1.dll)   \projectb (references project2.dll)   \references       \project1.dll -- dll gets checked in here , projecta references here       \project2.dll -- dll gets checked in here , projectb references here 

projecta.csproj

<reference include="project1.dll, version=blah blah blah">    <hintpath>..\references\project1.dll</hintpath> </reference> 

projectb.csproj

<reference include="project2.dll, version=blah blah blah">    <hintpath>..\references\project2.dll</hintpath> </reference> 

with approach have build solution1, dlls dropped, , check them references folder solution2. can real fancy , setup logic in build solution1 automatically checks out solution2\references folder, replaces project1 , project2 dlls latest build, , checks them in... , if you're using continuous integration kicks off build solution2.