[RESOLVED] Unable to resize controls in form at design!

[gowen]

Help!

A new update must have come down to our work machines because when I drop a command button, for example, on my form I cannot resize it using the mouse.

No, the form controls are not locked. I've notepad the .frm project. I've tried it on different machines and reinstalled VB6 and neither fix the issue.

I can resize using Shift+arrow keys, yes. But when I click on the corners of the control, it shows the double arrows, but then selects the form in the background.

I there an OCX or DLL that contains the for that may have recently updated?

I'm using VB6 on Windows 7 64x and have for 6 months without issue until march 4th. My coworkers Windows XP machine is doing the exact thing.

I'm at a loss and haven't a clue what to do. I have hundreds of applications written in VB6 that are live and in production and will need updates. If I have to redesign using shift and keys... I will be spending a lot of time with it.

Thanks!

[Niya]

Is this happening with one project or any project ?

[Haluha]

In my VB6 I cannot drop a command button, I have to first choose it then drag a thin rectangle kinda shape of the button on the form, and when I release the left mousebutton the command button apears on the form. If that solves your issue, im ya mann hehe

Anyway perhaps reinstalling vb6 might work, I still prefer XP.. so donno if its a win7 issue.

[Niya]

I can resize fine in VB6 on Win7. Its not a Win7 issue.

[DataMiser]

I have never experienced this unless of course I accidentally clicked the lock controls menu option which is not your problem from what you have said in the OP. As a test I locked the controls and see that I can still resize them using the arrow keys as you describe but I get no double arrow for sizing if I go to the corner or edge of the control.

I do not know what the issue would be, I would not suspect the OS. I have used VB6 under every OS from 98 to windows 8 and never had an issue.

[gowen]

It's not a Win 7 issue as I stated in my initial post. It does not work in XP either. I suspect a service patch that Microsoft sent down?

I've reinstalled VB6, I've reimaged/rebuilt a new machine (which had the latest service patches) and the issue still exists. It's on all my existing projects and all new projects.

I'm pretty sure it's the WinForms applet/OCX/DLL. I've never run into this issue, but it is completely across the board at my company (70,000+ employees). I need to nail down this issue so I can roll back whatever came down that is effecting this.

I recorded a video on my phone and sent to youtube (if this is not against the rules?):

[Niya]

That is freaky Never seen that one.....whats this WinForms applet thing you're talking about ?

[SamOscarBrown]

@Haluha

In my VB6 I cannot drop a command button, I have to first choose it then drag a thin rectangle kinda shape of the button on the form, and when I release the left mousebutton the command button apears on the form

That is the normal way of adding most controls.

[SamOscarBrown]

Whatever that winforms ocx is, can you unregister it? Then try. If same issue, its not that. Definitely wierd.

[gowen]

I was hoping somebody could tell me what the OCX/DLL/whatever it is and where it is located. I've never had an issue with it in all my years of programming VB, so never thought to reference it.

I've also tried VB6 portable and it does the same thing.

[gowen]

In the spirit of trying to keep this alive (due to it's large issue) I am going to post up my progress as I've seen a few posts from 2010 with the same issue and it died out without any resolve.

The classes are (duh): ThunderFormDC, ThunderCommandButton, ect. if I could only locate where those MDI's,Class files are located.

I did a dependency check on VB6 running to see all the files that were being used:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\DESIGNER\MSADDNDR.DLL
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\MSO97RT.DLL
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Common\Tools\VCM\VCMMGR.DLL
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\DATAVIEW.DLL
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\VB6IDE.DLL
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\VBA6.dll
C:\Program Files\DGAgent\plugins\09D849B6-32D3-4A40-85EE-6B84BA29E35B\ae_mailsensor_plugin.dll
C:\Program Files\DGAgent\plugins\09D849B6-32D3-4A40-85EE-6B84BA29E35B\ame_outlooksensor.dll
C:\Program Files\DGAgent\plugins\09D849B6-32D3-4A40-85EE-6B84BA29E35B\ame_smtpsensor.dll
C:\Program Files\DGAgent\plugins\8E4EA70A-6128-4B57-BD3F-8E9E0F0DA6BB\COM_Sensor.dll
C:\Program Files\DGAgent\plugins\8E4EA70A-6128-4B57-BD3F-8E9E0F0DA6BB\os_plugin.dll
C:\Windows\AppPatch\AcGenral.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\apphelp.dll
C:\Windows\system32\COMMTB32.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\CRYPTSP.dll
C:\Windows\system32\cscapi.dll
C:\Windows\system32\DgApi.dll
C:\Windows\system32\dwmapi.dll
C:\Windows\system32\EhStorShell.dll
C:\Windows\system32\ieframe.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\IMM32.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\MPR.dll
C:\Windows\system32\MSACM32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\msi.dll
C:\Windows\system32\msiltcfg.dll
C:\Windows\system32\MSVBVM60.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\ntmarta.dll
C:\Windows\system32\ntshrui.dll
C:\Windows\system32\OLEACC.dll
C:\Windows\system32\profapi.dll
C:\Windows\system32\propsys.dll
C:\Windows\system32\RpcRtRemote.dll
C:\Windows\system32\rsaenh.dll
C:\Windows\system32\samcli.dll
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFolder.dll
C:\Windows\System32\Secur32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\sfc.dll
C:\Windows\system32\sfc_os.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\SHDOCVW.dll
C:\Windows\system32\slc.dll
C:\Windows\system32\srvcli.dll
C:\Windows\System32\StructuredQuery.dll
C:\Windows\system32\SXS.DLL
C:\Windows\system32\USERENV.dll
C:\Windows\system32\UxTheme.dll
C:\Windows\system32\VERSION.dll
C:\Windows\system32\WindowsCodecs.dll
C:\Windows\system32\WINMM.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\actxprxy.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\ADVAPI32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\CFGMGR32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\CLBCatQ.DLL
C:\Windows\syswow64\comdlg32.dll
C:\Windows\SysWow64\COMDLG32.OCX
C:\Windows\syswow64\CRYPT32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\CRYPTBASE.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\DEVOBJ.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\GDI32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\iertutil.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\kernel32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\KERNELBASE.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\LPK.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\MSASN1.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSCOMCTL.OCX
C:\Windows\syswow64\MSCTF.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\msvcrt.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\NSI.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\ole32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\OLEAUT32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\PSAPI.DLL
C:\Windows\syswow64\RPCRT4.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\sechost.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\SETUPAPI.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\SHELL32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\SHLWAPI.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\SspiCli.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\thumbcache.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\urlmon.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\USER32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\USP10.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\WININET.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\WLDAP32.dll
C:\Windows\syswow64\WS2_32.dll
C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_5.82.7601.17514_none_ec83dffa859149af\COMCTL32.DLL
C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.7601.17514_none_41e6975e2bd6f2b2\comctl32.dll

My first thought is to try to replace every one and see if that fixes the issue.

Sorting by date is useless due to the fact that the last modified date is ~2012 and I've been successfully writing PE applications as recent as last week w/o this issue.

[tcurrier]

I've had this problem at work for 3 years now... Fortunately I haven't had the need to develop too many
new apps... I have Windows XP (version 5.1.2600 - service pack 3) on my work laptop. I have 2
personal laptops at home, one with the same OS as at work, and I am able to resize the controls with
the mouse without any problems. The other home computer has Windows 8 and I am also able to resize
the controls with no problem. I'm at a loss also.... Seems like someone would have found the solution
by now ;-)

[gowen]

I've had this problem at work for 3 years now... Fortunately I haven't had the need to develop too many
new apps... I have Windows XP (version 5.1.2600 - service pack 3) on my work laptop. I have 2
personal laptops at home, one with the same OS as at work, and I am able to resize the controls with
the mouse without any problems. The other home computer has Windows 8 and I am also able to resize
the controls with no problem. I'm at a loss also.... Seems like someone would have found the solution
by now ;-)

Thanks for jumping in. I plan on seeing this issue through. I also have an array of computers at my disposal and my win7 and winxp standard builds, fully upgraded to latest service pack, are fine. So, that automatically tells me that it was not a Microsoft upgrade unless it was an office 7 patch, as I do not have it installed.

The problem started last week, so I will start rolling back updates and see if I can weed the culprit out.

[gowen]

I've had this problem at work for 3 years now... Fortunately I haven't had the need to develop too many
new apps... I have Windows XP (version 5.1.2600 - service pack 3) on my work laptop. I have 2
personal laptops at home, one with the same OS as at work, and I am able to resize the controls with
the mouse without any problems. The other home computer has Windows 8 and I am also able to resize
the controls with no problem. I'm at a loss also.... Seems like someone would have found the solution
by now ;-)

Do you happen to have Verdasys Digital Guardian installed on your work machine?

[SamOscarBrown]

Have no idea on Winforms (but i bet a Google search on "WinForms OCX DLL" will provide clues).
Check windows/system32 - most are located there-searsh for Winforms (I guess)

[Nightwalker83]

I'm using VB6 on Windows 7 and have never encountered that problem before! Have you tried doing a reinstall of VB6 to replace any installation files that might be corrupt or missing?

[SamOscarBrown]

Yeh, he said he "tried it on different machines and reinstalled VB6 and neither fix the issue."

Does sound perplexing...hopefully going back to a previous back up date on the computer will isolote the culprit. (Gowen, let us know if you can track this down, JUST IN CASE we ever experience anything like this ourselves in the future). THX

[Haluha]

Great Video - im just thinking out of the blue, what version of the VB6 do you have? (seen at top Help, About Microsoft Visual Basic) ..mine is VB6 for 32bit developement version: 8176 ..have never experienced such thing you have showned here.

I was hoping somebody could tell me what the OCX/DLL/whatever it is and where it is located.

..you can rightclick on the component list to the left and choose Components.. there you should be able to see what components and files they refer to. I dont think trying to replace those files one by one would be easy nor a good idea - Perhaps ask here too: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/For...-691b68bc95b3/

Thanks to "tcurrier" you are not alone in the boat ..from his statement it doesnt seem to be an OS issue. hmm

Anyway, I will post your video along and wish you - Good Luck!

[Niya]

Did you try installing the latest VB6 Service pack ?

[Haluha]

Here is a bunch of ideas - http://www.fortypoundhead.com/showco...sp?artid=20502

Specially the one below the section UPDATE ..You might notice after successfully installing VB6 on Windows 7 that working in the IDE is a bit, well, sluggish. For example, resizing objects on a form is a real pain. After installing VB6, you'll want to change the compatibility settings for the IDE executable.

[DataMiser]

I would think if it is happening on different machines that it almost has to be the project files.
I would suggest creating a new project as a test if you have not done so already and see what happens.

[ladoo]

i have 1 project that 1 of the forms gone beyond control limits and for some reason 1 of the other forms i added few listbox's and then i was unable to resize it , but yours is a fresh project and your on windows 7 ,,,,,,,,,,,, windows,vista,7,8 not made to run visual basic6 may work but not good as windows xp, new windows i dont se why people install them to avoid all errors at all cost why not install windows xp and just install the , windows xxx them then u get that look and feeling of it + everything will work.

uninstall it do a clean all temp files and junks and reinstall it , if it does it still uninstall and reinstall but make new directory for it

[tcurrier]

gowen-

as a matter of fact, in looking at my 'add/remove programs' applet, I do see :

'Digital Guardian Agent'

What's your thoughts about this ?

[gowen]

gowen-

as a matter of fact, in looking at my 'add/remove programs' applet, I do see :

'Digital Guardian Agent'

What's your thoughts about this ?

Well, I've been tracing every installed application from before the issue to the onset of the problem and decided to build a barebones machine and start installing one at a time and testing.

It broke immediately after VGD installed. Problem is that I uninstalled and the issue was still there. I plan on tearing the installer apart to find out what WMIs are breaking the form.

Do you happen to know when it went live on your computer? Was it around the time it broke?

[gowen]

i have 1 project that 1 of the forms gone beyond control limits and for some reason 1 of the other forms i added few listbox's and then i was unable to resize it , but yours is a fresh project and your on windows 7 ,,,,,,,,,,,, windows,vista,7,8 not made to run visual basic6 may work but not good as windows xp, new windows i dont se why people install them to avoid all errors at all cost why not install windows xp and just install the , windows xxx them then u get that look and feeling of it + everything will work.

uninstall it do a clean all temp files and junks and reinstall it , if it does it still uninstall and reinstall but make new directory for it

Thanks for your input. The issue happens on fresh Windows XP and Win 7 machines alike. I'm still working on narrowing the issue down as to what is installing. I can consistently reproduce it by not installing VGD and the issue is nonexistent and after installing it, the issue becomes present.

I'm, now, waiting on my development team to cough up the code to our business installer to see what extra is being installed during the installer.

It's tempting to retire Visual Studio 6 and stick with Dev C++ for code needed outside of .Net environment (PE OS trying to preserve space) but it is so easy to write up quick Com applications in VB6.

[gowen]

I verified that it is, indeed, Verdasys Digital Guardian causing the issue. I uninstalled the application and the sizing returned to the way it should. Going forward this will not be an issue because I can just uninstall it on any machines I'm coding VB Studio 6 (C,VB,ect it's all IDE). This issue is now resolved.

Thanks

PS: Installing breaks, uninstalling fixes. It seems that tcurrier also confirmed that he has Digital Guardian Agent (Verdasys) installed and continues to have the issue. My suggestion would be to get the uninstall key or force uninstall it without and continue to code up using VB6.

[tcurrier]

Gowen- thanks for all your research and help on this.... I will find out what I need to do to at least temporarily get Digital Guardian uninstalled.
I will let you know the results.....

[tcurrier]

Thought I might try uninstalling Digital Guardian Agent, but it's asking me for an 'uninstall key' from
my Digital Guardian administrator....

[ladoo]

here is the control i added to attachment , add that control to your project then only add 1 control to your form, 1 only

no code and test the form drag your form in and out watch all controls ,txtbox etc resize ,without adding 1 code in form

[tcurrier]

Please pardon my ignorance, but how do I reference that user control in my project? Do
I compile it as an .OCX, then add the .OCX as a component ? I tried that, and dragged
the control onto my form, but the resizing didn't work after I added a command button to
my form.