Command/Immediate Window Error

Question

I have received the following error consistently across multiple installations of Visual Studio .NET 2004 Enterprise Architect (in training classes, on work pc, on home pc). From both the Command window and Immediate window, any attempt to call a function or sub routine generates the following error: "The expression cannot be evaluated while in design mode." I can not find any information on this condition (bug?) anywhere. VS .NET was installed under the admin account and/or with admin permissions so this doesn't seem to be the issue. I have also reviewed all types of VS settings ('My Profile' and etc.) without success. The only commands it seems to acknowledge are 'immed' (to go into Immediate Window mode) and '?command' to go into Command Window mode. (Such a simple tool available in VB 6.0 has now become so complicated in VS that it is useless is very frustrating.) Many thanks.