What's wrong with this code

[bucko]

Hi, I'm trying to get some old code working (it's been converted from VB3 binary format).

i've had a few problems but managed to solve them but the latest one is puzzling me (i'm a bit of a beginner).

when i try to run the program i get the error message

Runtime error '6':
overflow

and the piece of code
chk = Shell(ret, 8)
is highlighted when i click the debug button

the function is shown below

does anyone have any ideas
thanks in advance
MICK

Private Function StartAcad() As Integer

Dim ret$
Dim nSize%, chk%, chk2%

ret = String$(145, Chr$(0))
nSize = Len(ret)
chk2 = True

chk = GetPrivateProfileString("AUTOCAD", "EXEPATH", "", ret, nSize, INI_path)

If chk = 0 Then
MsgBox "Unable to start AutoCAD, check PLOTLOG.INI for validity."
chk2 = False
Else
chk = Shell(ret, 8)
End If

StartAcad = chk2
End Function

[Crazy D]

Allmost all Win32 API's are changed from integer to long... change the declarations of the integers to long and it should work (at least no overflow error...)

[Clunietp]

You need a double or variant variable to receive the return value of the SHELL function:

from MSDN:

Shell Function

Runs an executable program and returns a Variant (Double) representing the program's task ID if successful, otherwise it returns zero.

So change that % to a #

Better yet, explicitly declare the data types instead of using those old-fashioned operators, so the next programmer won't want to strangle you.