Windows Media Player

how can i check to see if there is a copy of windows media player running and then receive a message when it is done playing a file?

Well the first one is easy. Just check the registry for this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer

The second one, Im not so sure about Im afraid.

[edit] Hold on, I thought you wanted to check for an instalation directory. I have the api you need hold on...[/edit]

VB Code:

Private Declare Function FindWindow Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" (ByVal lpClassName As String, ByVal lpWindowName As String) As Long
Private Declare Function ShowWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal nCmdShow As Long) As Long
Private Const SW_SHOWNORMAL = 1
 
Private Sub Command1_Click()
    Dim WinWnd As Long
    WinWnd = FindWindow(vbNullString, "Calculator") 'Put window captio here
    If WinWnd > 0 Then
       'This means it is running
       ShowWindow WinWnd, SW_SHOWNORMAL 'Give it focus
    End If
End Sub

That should do you.

:)