[RESOLVED] [2008] Open browser on timer and specific height width

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Hey guys,

I'm using kleinma's code to open a web browser after a user
installs the software that goes to a thank you page on my
site. I wanted to have it launch a few seconds after install
in their default browser which is why I'm using this code below.

I put in a timer into the form but am unfamiliar with how to
use it specifically with kleinma's code.

Anyone know how I can do this? And also specify the height
and width of the page?

vb Code:

Public Sub LaunchNewBrowser(ByVal strUrl As String)
        Try
            'CREATE SOME VARIABLES
            Dim BrowserExec As String = New String(" "c, 255)
            Dim FileName As String
            Dim RetVal As Long
            Dim SWriter As StreamWriter
            'CREATE A TEMP HTM FILE SO WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT BROWSER IS
            'THE DEFAULT ONE ON THE SYSTEM
            FileName = Application.StartupPath & "\temp.htm"
            Try
                SWriter = File.CreateText(FileName)
                SWriter.Write("<html></html>")
                SWriter.Close()
            Catch ex As Exception
                'IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, TRY TO DO A STANDARD PROCESS LAUNCH
                BackupLaunch(strUrl)
                Return
            End Try
            'CALL THE API TO FIND THE EXE ASSOCIATED WITH HTM FILES
            RetVal = FindExecutable(FileName, vbNullString, BrowserExec)
            BrowserExec = BrowserExec.Trim
            'IF WE GET ONE, LAUNCH THE URL IN THE NEW INSTANCE OF THE BROWSER
            If RetVal <= 32 OrElse BrowserExec = String.Empty Then
                MessageBox.Show("Could not find a valid web browser")
            Else
                Process.Start(BrowserExec, New UriBuilder(strUrl).Uri.AbsoluteUri)
            End If
            Try 'DELETE THAT PESKY TEMP FILE
                File.Delete(FileName)
            Catch ex As Exception 'NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING, MIGHT WANT TO LOG IT OR SOMETHING
            End Try
        Catch ex As Exception
            'IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, TRY TO DO A STANDARD PROCESS LAUNCH
            BackupLaunch(strUrl)
        End Try
    End Sub
    'THIS IS USED INCASE THE MAIN ROUTINE FAILS, SO WE TRY TO AT LEAST TO THE LAUNCH ANYWAY,
    'EVEN THOUGH IT WILL BE IN AN ALREADY OPEN WINDOW. ITS A SECOND SUB BC ITS USED MORE THAN
    'ONCE IN THE MAIN ROUTINE
    Private Sub BackupLaunch(ByVal strURL As String)
        Try
            Process.Start(strURL)
        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("Could not launch website. Error Unknown.", "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
        End Try
    End Sub
 
End Module

Chris

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:28 PM

Couldnt you just do Process.Start()?

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:29 PM

No. Process start doesn't open the default web browser
and it throws errors unless there is already a browser opened.

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by cmmorris1

No. Process start doesn't open the default web browser
and it throws errors unless there is already a browser opened.

I am not sure about the first thing you said. But about the errors, no it opens the browser for you.

I always thought it opens your default browser... e.g.

Process.Start("http://www.google.com")

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:33 PM

nope, if you use it and no browsers are open you get a
nice little error box that pops up. this is much cleaner anyhow
if I can figure out how to set it on a timer to launch the
browser and if I can set the width / height of the window
that would be even better.

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:35 PM

I get no errors... i always use Process.Start to open a website.

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:40 PM

I get errors on Vista which is why I started using his
code for this, now if I can figure out how to use the
timer event to launch the procedure I'd be a happy
camper.

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:43 PM

Oh ok, i am using XP, process.start works fine on xp.

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:44 PM

You don't know how to use a timer for calling this?

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:48 PM

In the Timer tick event you would place LaunchNewBrowser(..website..)

What do you need help with? about your timer?

Do you know how to use a timer in the first place?

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Yeah, I do from examples I've looked over.
Seems like it still isn't clear to me how to put
it together for this though.

I've put timer1.enabled = true in the form load
and in the timer tick event I have BrowserExec.LaunchNewBrowser("http://mysite.com/")

You need to use BrowserExec.LaunchNewBrowser("url")
but it's getting it to wait a few seconds that I can't
figure out.

**noahssite** · Oct 24th, 2008, 07:54 PM

What do you have the interval set to?
What do you need it set to?

With a timer you need to set the interval before you enable the timer.

Code:

Timer1.Interval = 1000
Timer1.Enabled = True

The above sets a Timer called Timer one, the Tick event will be initiated after 1 second (1000)

1000 = 1 second
2000 = 2 seconds etc...

EDIT: Why do you want to use the timer in the first place?

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 08:03 PM

I'm using a timer to wait for a few seconds once the user
has installed the software and opened up for the first time
to display a quick thank you note. I could do without it but
it I thought that if I wait a little bit after they open it up before
it launches it won't seem so annoying I guess.

Thank you for your help! It's finally working correctly!

Chris

**cmmorris1** · Oct 24th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Forgot to ask what can I use to set the width and height of
the window?

**noahssite** · Oct 25th, 2008, 09:21 AM

Also remember to rate me if I helped. About the width & height I will get back to you on that later today I am in a rush now.

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Re: [2008] Open browser on timer and specific height width

Re: [2008] Open browser on timer and specific height width

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Re: [2008] Open browser on timer and specific height width

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