telling if another program is using a file [edit]

i need to tell if a certian program is using a certian file

the program is a game and the files i need to see if it is using are maps. when the program changes maps, it opens the corresponding map file.

i thought about having a file list box in the map directory and having a loop that tries to open the map, but it turns out that the "Open mapfilename for input as #1" still works when the game has the file open.

so basically, how do i check if a file is being used by another program.

i dont really need to know if the certian program has the file open, just if the file is in use at all.


thanks
stuart

nevermind sorry :blush: i found a solution

VB Code:

On Error GoTo errHandle
 
  Open "C:\book1.xls" For Binary Lock Read As #1
  
  Close #1
  
  Exit Sub
  
errHandle:
  If Err.Number = 70 Then
    MsgBox "Cannot open file.", vbExclamation
  End If

sorry again :blush: