diff --git a/src/ca/CASG.cpp b/src/ca/CASG.cpp
index 4e600c22f..c0e71aae4 100644
--- a/src/ca/CASG.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/CASG.cpp
@@ -278,8 +278,13 @@ void CASG::exception ( int status, const char *pContext,
 
 void CASG::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ca/bhe.cpp b/src/ca/bhe.cpp
index 94e5f5cef..dcc5ba844 100644
--- a/src/ca/bhe.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/bhe.cpp
@@ -248,8 +248,13 @@ void bhe::unregisterIIU ( tcpiiu & iiu )
 
 void bhe::operator delete ( void * )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete?" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void * bheFreeStore::allocate ( size_t size )
diff --git a/src/ca/comBuf.cpp b/src/ca/comBuf.cpp
index e4aae6a85..626ae50e0 100644
--- a/src/ca/comBuf.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/comBuf.cpp
@@ -133,8 +133,13 @@ void comBuf::throwInsufficentBytesException ()
 void comBuf::operator delete ( void *pCadaver ) 
     throw ( std::logic_error )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 comBufMemoryManager::~comBufMemoryManager () {}
diff --git a/src/ca/getCallback.cpp b/src/ca/getCallback.cpp
index 24957cbf7..4bc90ffb5 100644
--- a/src/ca/getCallback.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/getCallback.cpp
@@ -73,8 +73,13 @@ void getCallback::exception (
 
 void getCallback::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ca/getCopy.cpp b/src/ca/getCopy.cpp
index e7cf8c837..f7c4fe65a 100644
--- a/src/ca/getCopy.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/getCopy.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,12 @@ void getCopy::show ( unsigned level ) const
 
 void getCopy::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/msgForMultiplyDefinedPV.cpp b/src/ca/msgForMultiplyDefinedPV.cpp
index 87e970d54..f5335db5b 100644
--- a/src/ca/msgForMultiplyDefinedPV.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/msgForMultiplyDefinedPV.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,12 @@ void msgForMultiplyDefinedPV::ioCompletionNotify ( const char * pHostNameRej )
 
 void msgForMultiplyDefinedPV::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/nciu.cpp b/src/ca/nciu.cpp
index 4ba522319..da0a3e58d 100644
--- a/src/ca/nciu.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/nciu.cpp
@@ -86,8 +86,13 @@ void nciu::destroy ()
 
 void nciu::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 { 
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void nciu::initiateConnect ()
diff --git a/src/ca/netReadNotifyIO.cpp b/src/ca/netReadNotifyIO.cpp
index edf9e74c9..bc786f3b4 100644
--- a/src/ca/netReadNotifyIO.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/netReadNotifyIO.cpp
@@ -82,8 +82,13 @@ nciu & netReadNotifyIO::channel () const
 
 void netReadNotifyIO::operator delete ( void * p )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ca/netSubscription.cpp b/src/ca/netSubscription.cpp
index 1e78864a6..97f408c72 100644
--- a/src/ca/netSubscription.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/netSubscription.cpp
@@ -95,8 +95,13 @@ nciu & netSubscription::channel () const
 
 void netSubscription::operator delete ( void * p )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ca/netWriteNotifyIO.cpp b/src/ca/netWriteNotifyIO.cpp
index 972dc07ee..dd5a692fb 100644
--- a/src/ca/netWriteNotifyIO.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/netWriteNotifyIO.cpp
@@ -83,7 +83,12 @@ nciu & netWriteNotifyIO::channel () const
 
 void netWriteNotifyIO::operator delete ( void * p )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/oldChannelNotify.cpp b/src/ca/oldChannelNotify.cpp
index d93e2caa2..5030e1656 100644
--- a/src/ca/oldChannelNotify.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/oldChannelNotify.cpp
@@ -185,7 +185,12 @@ void oldChannelNotify::writeException ( int status, const char *pContext,
 
 void oldChannelNotify::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp b/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
index c7b231040..444325541 100644
--- a/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,12 @@ void oldSubscription::exception (
 
 void oldSubscription::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/putCallback.cpp b/src/ca/putCallback.cpp
index c92df5b97..45d577a9b 100644
--- a/src/ca/putCallback.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/putCallback.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,12 @@ void putCallback::exception (
 
 void putCallback::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ca/repeater.cpp b/src/ca/repeater.cpp
index 0060b4af9..912a97994 100644
--- a/src/ca/repeater.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/repeater.cpp
@@ -251,8 +251,13 @@ repeaterClient::~repeaterClient ()
 
 inline void repeaterClient::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 { 
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 inline void * repeaterClient::operator new ( size_t size, 
diff --git a/src/ca/syncGroupReadNotify.cpp b/src/ca/syncGroupReadNotify.cpp
index 875ca195f..7e57f05e0 100644
--- a/src/ca/syncGroupReadNotify.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/syncGroupReadNotify.cpp
@@ -94,8 +94,13 @@ void syncGroupReadNotify::show ( unsigned level ) const
 
 void syncGroupReadNotify::operator delete ( void * p )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void * syncGroupReadNotify::operator new ( size_t size, 
diff --git a/src/ca/syncGroupWriteNotify.cpp b/src/ca/syncGroupWriteNotify.cpp
index f8e911982..c8f99609b 100644
--- a/src/ca/syncGroupWriteNotify.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/syncGroupWriteNotify.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,13 @@ void syncGroupWriteNotify::show ( unsigned level ) const
 
 void syncGroupWriteNotify::operator delete ( void * p )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void * syncGroupWriteNotify::operator new ( size_t size, 
diff --git a/src/cas/io/bsdSocket/ipIgnoreEntry.cpp b/src/cas/io/bsdSocket/ipIgnoreEntry.cpp
index 8870e6b6f..61f1efe04 100644
--- a/src/cas/io/bsdSocket/ipIgnoreEntry.cpp
+++ b/src/cas/io/bsdSocket/ipIgnoreEntry.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,13 @@ resTableIndex ipIgnoreEntry::hash () const
 
 void ipIgnoreEntry::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/db/dbChannelIO.cpp b/src/db/dbChannelIO.cpp
index b4b6b02da..af2d51e46 100644
--- a/src/db/dbChannelIO.cpp
+++ b/src/db/dbChannelIO.cpp
@@ -123,8 +123,11 @@ void dbChannelIO::show ( unsigned level ) const
 
 void dbChannelIO::operator delete ( void *pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/db/dbPutNotifyBlocker.cpp b/src/db/dbPutNotifyBlocker.cpp
index 546779325..6b217c026 100644
--- a/src/db/dbPutNotifyBlocker.cpp
+++ b/src/db/dbPutNotifyBlocker.cpp
@@ -189,6 +189,11 @@ dbSubscriptionIO * dbPutNotifyBlocker::isSubscription ()
 
 void dbPutNotifyBlocker::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
diff --git a/src/db/dbSubscriptionIO.cpp b/src/db/dbSubscriptionIO.cpp
index 9f10dd6ab..3e0ea58a2 100644
--- a/src/db/dbSubscriptionIO.cpp
+++ b/src/db/dbSubscriptionIO.cpp
@@ -81,8 +81,13 @@ void dbSubscriptionIO::channelDeleteException ()
 
 void dbSubscriptionIO::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void * dbSubscriptionIO::operator new ( size_t size, 
diff --git a/src/libCom/timer/epicsTimer.h b/src/libCom/timer/epicsTimer.h
index 513930733..16de291c2 100644
--- a/src/libCom/timer/epicsTimer.h
+++ b/src/libCom/timer/epicsTimer.h
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ public:
 
 class epicsTimer {              // X aCC 655
 public:
-    virtual ~epicsTimer () = 0;
     virtual void destroy () = 0;
     virtual void start ( epicsTimerNotify &, const epicsTime & ) = 0;
     virtual void start ( epicsTimerNotify &, double delaySeconds ) = 0;
@@ -63,11 +62,8 @@ public:
     virtual expireInfo getExpireInfo () const = 0;
     double getExpireDelay ();
     virtual void show ( unsigned int level ) const = 0;
-private:
-    void * operator new ( size_t );
-    void * operator new [] ( size_t );
-    void operator delete ( void * );
-    void operator delete [] ( void * );
+protected:
+    virtual ~epicsTimer () = 0; // protected => delete() must not be called
 };
 
 class epicsTimerQueue {         // X aCC 655
@@ -86,11 +82,6 @@ public:
     virtual void release () = 0; 
 protected:
     virtual ~epicsTimerQueueActive () = 0;
-private:
-    void * operator new ( size_t );
-    void * operator new [] ( size_t );
-    void operator delete ( void * );
-    void operator delete [] ( void * );
 };
 
 class epicsTimerQueueNotify {   // X aCC 655
diff --git a/src/libCom/timer/timer.cpp b/src/libCom/timer/timer.cpp
index 58932fc3b..8a9fee4e4 100644
--- a/src/libCom/timer/timer.cpp
+++ b/src/libCom/timer/timer.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ void timer::destroy ()
 {
     timerQueue & queueTmp ( this->queue );
     this->~timer ();
-    timer::operator delete ( this, queueTmp.timerFreeList ) ;
+    //timer::operator delete ( this, queueTmp.timerFreeList ) ;
 }
 
 void timer::start ( epicsTimerNotify & notify, double delaySeconds )
@@ -225,13 +225,23 @@ void timer::show ( unsigned int level ) const
 
 void timer::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
 void epicsTimerForC::operator delete ( void * pCadaver )
 {
-    throw std::logic_error 
-        ( "compiler is confused about placement delete" );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
+    errlogPrintf ( "%s:%d this compiler is confused about placement delete - memory was probably leaked",
+        __FILE__, __LINE__ );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libCom/timer/timerPrivate.h b/src/libCom/timer/timerPrivate.h
index bed566e826..f29f87cb8 100644
--- a/src/libCom/timer/timerPrivate.h
+++ b/src/libCom/timer/timerPrivate.h
@@ -55,6 +55,11 @@ private:
     epicsTimerNotify * pNotify; // callback
     void privateStart ( epicsTimerNotify & notify, const epicsTime & );
     timer & operator = ( const timer & );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
     void * operator new ( size_t size ); 
     void operator delete ( void * ); 
     friend class timerQueue;
@@ -75,6 +80,11 @@ private:
     void * pPrivate;
     expireStatus expire ( const epicsTime & currentTime );
     epicsTimerForC & operator = ( const epicsTimerForC & );
+    // Visual C++ .net appears to require operator delete if
+    // placement operator delete is defined? I smell a ms rat
+    // because if I declare placement new and delete, but
+    // comment out the placement delete definition there are
+    // no undefined symbols.
     void * operator new ( size_t size ); 
     void operator delete ( void * ); 
     friend class timerQueue;
@@ -119,14 +129,13 @@ class timerQueueActive : public epicsTimerQueueActive,
     public timerQueueActiveMgrPrivate {
 public:
     timerQueueActive ( bool okToShare, unsigned priority );
-    virtual ~timerQueueActive () = 0;
     epicsTimer & createTimer ();
     epicsTimerForC & createTimerForC ( epicsTimerCallback pCallback, void *pArg );
     void show ( unsigned int level ) const;
     bool sharingOK () const;
     unsigned threadPriority () const;
-    void * operator new ( size_t );
-    void operator delete ( void * );
+protected:
+    virtual ~timerQueueActive () = 0;
 private:
     timerQueue queue;
     epicsEvent rescheduleEvent;
@@ -178,7 +187,7 @@ public:
     epicsTimerQueuePassiveForC ( epicsTimerQueueRescheduleCallback pCallback, void *pPrivate );
     void destroy ();
 protected:
-    virtual ~epicsTimerQueuePassiveForC ();
+    ~epicsTimerQueuePassiveForC ();
 private:
     epicsTimerQueueRescheduleCallback pCallback;
     void *pPrivate;