Non-modal forms cannot be displayed ...from an ActiveX dll(err 406)

[DGvbforum]

I just joined this project and found the following error:
Non-modal forms cannot be displayed in this host application from an ActiveX DLL
(Error 406)

The application instanciates an ActiveX.exe which manages the data collection for a report. The x.exe then uses a print manager .dll to create a pdf etc. The progress form in this dll is non-modal, and this is apparently the problem.

Please help with the big picture as to why this architecture is not working.

Thank you for any assistance or reference pointers.

[jonaxse]

oh well, seems VB is your master. :)

If he doesn`t want it, then don`t force it to.

There are work-arounds tho`. If you have the code for the "printing" dll.

You have to enable Events, if not, then callback procedures... However, I recommend event notification.

here is the picture:
1.> As the DLL processes data... it should raiseevents regarding its progress.

2.> You need to process these events in your main program... of course, you can show non-modal forms in your main program --- so you do the progress code here.

3.> This way, your DLL/EXE dont have to show anything at all :)

[DGvbforum]

Thank you for the good suggestion, jonaxse. If you know any resources for explaining what is going on, that is what I hope to learn through this. Its the "give a fish to a person and he eats for a day, teach a person to fish and he eats for a lifetime" deal.

Again, Thanks.

[DGvbforum]

Found the issue. The article references MTS as the environment, but apparently the same thing is happening in 2000.
c.f.
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q233/9/97.ASP

[jonaxse]

hmmm... I thought you knew the saying:

"...Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach him the internet and he won`t bother you for weeks." --- http://www.hicards.com

Anyway... Thanks. I learned a lot from you today :D