Registering OCX 3

[SGLong]

I've got a network application on our server which needs access to the MS DatePicker control. I've got the following code at the top of my main program:

LOCAL lcCommand
lcCommand = "RUN RegSvr32.exe C:\windows\system\MsComct2.ocx /s"
&lcCommand
RELEASE lcCommand

First, it's not "silent".

Second, it's running every time the program starts. How can I detect if the control is already registered and only run this registration when the application is run for the first time on a different workstation?

 

[rgbean]

Normally you'd install/register this and any other control in the SETUP.EXE for your application, then you wouldn't have to worry about it in the application itself.

You'll need to read the registry to see if it's registered. Minimally you'll need to check for this key: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\mscomct2.ocx".

Rick

 

[SGLong]

Rick,

Doesn't the OCX need to be on the local workstation machine? If so, then an installation (SETUP.EXE) file won't help. It'll be registered on the server and not where it needs to be.

Steve

 

[rgbean]

Steve,
Absolutely, while I didn't make it clear, I meant an application Workstation install. Since the example he gave was on "C:", I assumed that was what he was talking about.

Rick

 

[jonscott8]

Hi Steve,

The OCX can remain in your server directory, as long as it's properly register. However, it really should be placed in the user's local windows\system directory.

Now, to address your two questions. Define exactly what you mean by it's not "silent". The /s switch passed to regsvr32 will prevent the confirmation messagebox from appearing, which is where I presume you derived the term silent. If you're referring to the flash of the DOS console include the nowait switch with a minimize attribute for the RUN command:
RUN /N7 regsvr32 c:\windows\system\mscomct2.ocx /s

AFA determining if the control is already registered, attempt to create an instance:
ON ERROR llNotInstalled = .T.
oDatePick = CreateObject("MSComCt2.DTPicker.2&quot
IF llNotInstalled
*copy the ocx from network path to local windows\sys dir
*register ocx
ENDIF

FWIW, if the OS is NT-based, the local path will be WinNT\System32. Jon Hawkins

 

[jonscott8]

Sorry, but the oleclass for the datetime picker is MSComCtl2.DTPicker.2 - I should've consulted the docs prior to posting. So the line that reads:

oDatePick = CreateObject("MSComCt2.DTPicker.2&quot

should read:

oDatePick = CreateObject("MSComCtl2.DTPicker.2&quot

And for clarification, Rick's suggestion of using a SETUP application is the proper way for distributing/registering ActiveX controls.
Jon Hawkins

 

[rgbean]

Jon,
I do like your CreateObject() / error handling much better than mucking around in the registry. The strange thing is that I'd used that technique before, but forgot about it - probably because it works so good!

Rick

 

[SGLong]

Rick & John:

I've consolidated all of the above into a class that will check the registration status. If not registered, it will copy it local and then register it. Once I get the code "cleaned up" I'll post the class in the FAQ section.

Thanks for the guidance!