[RESOLVED] [2005] PerformanceCounter & the GetInstanceNames function

After many varying searches on both this forum and the MSDN library I haven't found any examples that explain or provide code to successfully list all the instance names from a PerformanceCounter.

The performance counter I am trying to use works fine on this PC when i choose the InstanceName in design mode, but for distribution I need this to be selectable by the user.

I would greatley appreciate a sample or a link expaining what I need to declare and how to use it to output a list of InstanceNames to a combobox.

For coding simplicity to start with I have left the performancecounter named 'PerformanceCounter1' and the combobox 'ComboBox1'. I know the solution has something to do with the GetInstanceNames command but i don't know where that is or how to use it.

Any and all help will be appreciated :)

I think I recall doing something similar in this example......?

GetInstanceNames returns an array of strings - you could set your Combobox.DataSouce to it...

Ok iv sorted it :)

Will flag the thread as [Resolved] in the morning as its 01:16 and post the solution aswell as soon as i get it done neatly :)

Thanks for the links

Using the example on http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...ancenames.aspx I have gotten the following working by repopulating the dropdown list on demand:

Code:

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Private Sub ComboBox1_DropDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles ComboBox1.DropDown
        'original code URL: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...ancenames.aspx
        'thanks to Merrion for pointing me to the relevant links
        'code made to work in a method I understand by myself (Liam Parrish) on 18/10/2007
        Dim pcc As PerformanceCounterCategory
        Dim instances() As String
        'machineName "." refers to the local machine
        Dim machineName As String = "."
        'this can be reset in code later or made a public string so this could be used to look at several instances
        Dim categoryName As String = "Network Interface"
        'objX is the ID of the instances
        Dim objX As Integer

        'clear the combobox dropdown
        ComboBox1.Items.Clear()
        Try
            If machineName.Length > 0 Then
                pcc = New PerformanceCounterCategory(categoryName, machineName)
            Else
                pcc = New PerformanceCounterCategory(categoryName)
            End If
            instances = pcc.GetInstanceNames()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox("Unable to get instance information for " & "category ""{0}"" on " & IIf(machineName.Length > 0, "computer ""{1}"":", "this computer:"), categoryName, machineName)
            MsgBox(ex.Message)
            Return
        End Try

        If instances.Length = 0 Then
            MsgBox("Category ""{0}"" on " & IIf(machineName.Length > 0, "computer ""{1}""", "this computer") & " is single-instance.", pcc.CategoryName, pcc.MachineName)
        Else
            ' Otherwise, display the instances.
            Array.Sort(instances)
            For objX = 0 To instances.Length - 1
                ComboBox1.Items.Add(instances(objX))
                ComboBox1.Refresh()
                ComboBox1.Update()
            Next objX
        End If
    End Sub

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