Don't use Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library! 1

[pokermat]

If you are planning on rolling out your App on clients which don't have MS Office installed don't use the above library. (fm20.dll)

I used it because it gives you multi column list & combo boxes. It was only when I came to install it on non office clients that I got the charming 'System Error' message everytime I tried to start it up.

I then found the following from Microsoft...

"The Fm20.dll is NOT redistributable. You must have an application such as Microsoft Office 97 on the target system that installs Fm20.dll as part of its setup. (Fm20.dll is included with the OSR2 and OSR2.5 releases of Windows 95.) You can also find this file on the Visual Basic 5.0 CD under the \TOOLS\DataTool\Datatool\Msdesign folder. This will be installed only if you run the setup for the Visual Database Tools. In any case, you may not distribute the Fm20.dll as part of your setup, even if you purchase the Microsoft Office Developer Edition product.

NOTE: The use of these Microsoft Forms components in your own compiled applications, such as those written with Microsoft Visual C++ and Microsoft Visual Basic, is not recommended or supported. These controls were designed and tested to work exclusively within Microsoft Office and its Visual Basic for Applications environment."

I just spent 3 days re-writing my app and thought I would try and prevent other people from making the same mistake.

 

[johnwm]

However if your clients do the free install of Microsoft ActiveX Control Pad they will get fm20.dll installed. It's available from:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnaxctrl/html/cpad.asp

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[CCLINT]

>I then found the following from Microsoft...
You should post the article number or address when posting something like this before scaring everyone.

There is no problem using/referencing it as I can see...just don't distribute it.

If it is not on the client's PC, the client can freely download the Microsoft ActiveX Control Pad which contains the Fm20.dll from the MS site...

Read this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;224305

Because it is not supported under VB does not mean it will not work.
And because it is not supported it is only natural that it hasn't been tested.
You should test thoroughly anyways, know what is redistributable when distributing/selling, test any components like this which you rely the client to already have, etc, and read your EULA.

 

[pokermat]

johnwm - of course I saw this, I just didn't think it was a very professional solution. Here's the app, oh and by the way you'll have to download this thing from Microsoft.

CCLINT - patronising? I didn't say there was a problem referencing/using it, I said there was a problem installing it onto machines without Office. Hmmm, testing, didn't think of that.

Like I said, I was just trying to prevent others from making the same mistake. I guess I'll leave it to the 'Experts' in future.

 

[CCLINT]

>patronising

oh my goodness...

Nope. Do you feel that any corrections on mis-leading statements are a possible sign of patronizing?

>"I said there was a problem installing it onto machines without Office."

Not just that.
You said "Don't use..." in the subject title and in the first statement you said "...App on clients which don't have MS Office installed don't use the above library".

So the post, along with the quote, leads a person to believe that there is no work-around, and not possible unless they have MS office, when in the MS article you quoted clearly shows there is a solution.

And this offered solution you had left/cut out of the quote you posted for whatever reasons!
IMO, this was the problem.

Posting a reference, or at least the complete information, for something like this would have been alright then.

So, I was just trying to fill in the gaps and complete the mis-leading information!

 

[sdraper]

pokermat,
CCLINT and johnwm have responded about 3000 times each to others posts. They have helped many, many people since they have been here. They were only trying to help in this case as well. So I don't think that two peeps that have helped so many would just jump in and try to bust yer chops. If you would have searched the forums for posts about the forms 2.0 library you probably would find that this subject has been discussed into the ground. So anyway thanks for contributing but don't take this all so personnally.

yer cyberpal,

Sam