[RESOLVED] Service Pack 6 for Visual Basic 6.0

[The_Grudge]

I am using the 'out of the box' version of Visual Basic 6.0.

What kinds of things does service pack 6 fix, and should I install it?

I should also mention one very important point. I have written a fairly large program that has not yet been deployed. This program uses lots of references and connections. Is there any chance SP6 would screw something up....beyond repair anyways?

[Hack]

You are at least using Service Pack 5 I hope, right?

[The_Grudge]

I wish I knew. The following is the version info aquired from HELP---ABOUT.

Version 8176
VBA: Retail 6.0.8169
Forms3: 2.01

I don't see the mention of a service pack anywhere.

[Hack]

When you open Visual Basic, the splash screen will tell you what SP you are on.

Also, the very first line of the About box will say: (at least mine does)
"Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 (SPX)"

[The_Grudge]

It doesn't say anything about any service packs.

Why does it matter though ?
It says on Microsofts' web site that all service packs are cumulative. Meaning SP6 includes all of the required info from the previous packs (1-5).

[Hack]

Can you post a screen shot of your About box?

[The_Grudge]

Certainly. Hope this helps.

[RobCrombie]

Here's mine.
I believe going to SP5 was desirable.
I've felt no compulsion to go to SP6.
(Fear of MS side effects.)

[Hack]

The_Grudge: It looks like you don't have any service packs installed.

This means all sorts of dire things. I don't know all of what each Service Pack has done, but I do know that updates to components are a part of the service pack.

If I were to send you a screen with a ListView on it that I made on my machine, you would get errors trying to run it on your machine because the OCX which contains the component has changed so many times.

You need to patch your VB version.

[RobCrombie]

Your version number looks like it is old enough to be prior to any SPs

Rob

PS,
I think I know why your image is B I G
If you used Paint, you should shrink the background to about 1 cm square by dragging the borders. Then close Paint.
The next time you open Paint it will be that small size.
When you paste into Paint, it will enlarge the background just sufficient to fit your image.

Rob

[The_Grudge]

So the concensus is that I should definatley upgrade??
I've been having all sorts of deployment problems with my app (I think with MDAC) so I guess this can't hurt.

[Hack]

So the concensus is that I should definatley upgrade??
I've been having all sorts of deployment problems with my app (I think with MDAC) so I guess this can't hurt.

No, but it most definately can help.

Are you the only programmer in your shop?

[RobDog888]

Actually SP5 does update components and the IDEs. SP6 also has a few component updates but mostly IDE and VSS updates.

SP5

SP6

I also recommend installing SP5 at a minimum. You may have to replace some controls on your forms with the updated ones but the trouble
is worth it to avoid any bugs from using the original un-updated components.

[RobCrombie]

Sorry to you both, I'm not chipping in deliberately.
Posts are happening whilst I'm typing (and painting).
You could compile your app and get someoine to run it on their machine, to look for consequences, prior to risking an update.

Rob

[The_Grudge]

Is there an uninstal feature to this so if things get out of hand I can revert to the way it was?

I don't mind it being a pain in the ass if I know it'll be better in the long run.
But if it's going to be a nightmare then I may think about it.

There is only one other VB programmer in my group. I just found out she has the same "dinosaur" version as me.

[Hack]

Once you install a service pack, espeically one that actually updates component files, there is no going back.

However, SP5 has been around for a few years, so you really don't have to worry.

[The_Grudge]

Why not go all out and download 6?

[RobCrombie]

If I was you, I would back up your Project/Source code to a cd, then install SP6 (or SP5).

Rob

[RobDog888]

Its been years since I installed SP5 but I could have sworn that there was an uninstall or something or was it only on sp6?
Either way you really need to be running sp5 at least and if it means that you have to fix some projects in order to get them
compliant then thats what you need to do since its a good benefit to upgrade. Fix the minor issues from upgrading to the
SP or fix allot more issues down the road when you have "issues" that could have been avoided with the sp.

[The_Grudge]

I just installed SP6 and I only had to change one reference in my program.

The main thing though, is that my program now deploys seamlessly.
Before SP6, it wouldn't work on anyones computer but my own.

GIDDY UP!

[RobDog888]

Just a note:
If you used any controls from the common controls library 2 or 3, you will need to delete the control on your form and add it back
again from your toolbox. If you dont do this the your actually still running with the original no-service pack updated control.