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Visual Basic Shell Execute issue
I've created a program that basically links out to installation files so that my university can distribute antivirus program and spyware scanners. One of the links goes out to Windows Updates. It works fine on my computer, but when I burn all of the files to a CD, the code no longer works. Instead, I get this error:
Run-time error '75': Path/File access error
[OK]
How can I get this code to work on a CD? Any help at all would be appreciated.
The Windows Update code that is run when the entry is clicked:LaunchInNewwindow "http://www.windowsupdate.com"
And here's the rest of the code:
Option Explicit
Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" _
(ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, _
ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function FindExecutable Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "FindExecutableA" (ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal lpResult As String) As Long
Private Declare Function GetDesktopWindow Lib "user32" () As Long
Public Function LaunchInNewwindow(sURL As String) As Boolean
Const SW_SHOWNORMAL = 1
Dim lRetVal As Long
Dim sTemp As String
Dim sBrowserExec As String
sBrowserExec = GetBrowserExe 'get the exe
sURL = AddHTTP(sURL)
lRetVal = ShellExecute(GetDesktopWindow(), "open", sBrowserExec, sURL, sTemp, SW_SHOWNORMAL)
' lRetVal = ShellExecute(frm.hWnd, "open", sURL, "", sTemp, SW_SHOWNORMAL) '1998/07/31 This works as well
If lRetVal > 32 Then ' OK
LaunchInNewwindow = True
End If
End Function
Private Function AddHTTP(sURL As String) As String
' 2004/12/16 Function added by Larry Rebich using the DELL8500 while in Fort McDowell, AZ
' 2004/12/16 Add http:// is none
Dim sTemp As String
sTemp = sURL
If InStr(LCase$(sTemp), "https://") = 1 Then
AddHTTP = sTemp
ElseIf InStr(LCase$(sTemp), "http://") = 1 Then
AddHTTP = sTemp
Else
AddHTTP = "http://" & sTemp
End If
End Function
Public Function GetBrowserExe() As String
Dim sFilename As String
Dim sBrowserExec As String * 255
Dim lRetVal As Long
Dim iFN As Integer
Dim sTemp As String
sBrowserExec = Space(255)
sFilename = App.Path & "\temphtm.HTM"
iFN = FreeFile() ' Get unused file number
Open sFilename For Output As #iFN ' Create temp HTML file
Print #iFN, "<HTML> <\HTML>" ' Output text
Close #iFN ' Close file
' Then find the application associated with it.
lRetVal = FindExecutable(sFilename, sTemp, sBrowserExec)
' If an application return the name
If lRetVal <= 32 Or IsEmpty(sBrowserExec) Then ' Error
Else
GetBrowserExe = Trim$(sBrowserExec)
End If
Kill sFilename ' delete temp HTML file
End FunctionSure is, plus this aids in clarity of code. I understood your code, but In my opinion it's a lot easier to read without a ton of API calls. GetTemp's are great also, for getting the temporary path on any machine. Let us know how it turns out.
Comatose
Taboo Programmer
Team Colleague
2,910 posts since Dec 2004
Reputation Points: 361
Solved Threads: 215
Ah... well, when I look at the code, I think I can see what you're talking about. I have to admit, I am *very* new to object-oriented programming.
The code I was using I found via Google. *hangs his head in shame*
I've removed all of that other code and replaced it with the GetDesktopWindow function and used the code you posted for the click commands. It's working fine.
Now, the only question I have is "how do I get it to open a new window instead of using the current open browser?"
Thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate it. Just having code that will work on a CD is great enough. :)
Now, the only question I have is "how do I get it to open a new window instead of using the current open browser?"
Well, not sure how to do that with ShellExecute. IE has a command line parameter, "-new" that allows you to open a document in a new window. However, we cannot pass parameters when using default actions in ShellExecute. That would mean the full path to the IE executable is required, so the GetBrowserExe function should be rightly implemented. But maybe there's no need to worry about it.
There's another method you can use instead of ShellExecute. You can control more of the IE window you launch. This is IE Automation:
Dim objIE As Object
Set objIE = CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application")
With objIE
.Navigate "http://www.windowsupdate.com"
.Visible = True
End With
Set objIE = Nothing
Take a look here for more info.
This method does not rely on the fact that IE will be the default browser on your target PCs, but if not, it will be used anyways. Don't forget that.
Thank you very much. This was precisely what I was looking for. With a little bit of code added in to minimize the form after the browser is open, everything is perfect.
I really appreciate all the help I've received. You guys are great. :cheesy:
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