there was an error in the coding
This is you code revised
Dim ParHand1 As Long
Dim ParHand2 As Long
Dim OurParent As Long
Dim Hand1 As Long
Dim OurHandle As Long
ParHand1& = FindWindow("AOL Frame25", 0&) '<--- the typo was here
ParHand2& = FindWindowEx(ParHand1&, 0, "MDIClient", 0&)
OurParent& = FindWindowEx(ParHand2&, 0, "AOL Child", 0&)
Hand1& = FindWindowEx(OurParent&, 0&, "RICHCNTL", 0&)
OurHandle& = FindWindowEx(OurParent&, Hand1&, "RICHCNTL", 0&)
'finds the chat window text area
Print ParHand1&
Print ParHand2&
Print OurParent&
Print Hand1&
Call SendMessageByString(OurHandle&, WM_SETTEXT, 0&, "HELLO")
'puts the string to send into the chat window text area