[RESOLVED] Windows 11 VB6 Combobox Styling issues

[cbirchy87]

Hi,
I am completing some testing on our VB6 application using Windows 11. We have a rather large application that is showing strange visual styles with Combobox using MS Common controls v6. Oddly, this isn't on all of our controls but only quite a large and populated screen. Only drop-down and textboxes seem affected.

Below is an example



I have tried re-paining the component on load but this also fails. Moving the mouse over the components does cause them to reload. Sometimes successful, sometimes with a grey background, and sometimes with ghosted text. I did see somewhere that placing the controls inside a picture box works, and it does, but that's a lot of work! Anyone else seen this issue?

[LeoFar]

See
https://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?893665

[cbirchy87]

Thanks. That's the forum post I got the picture box issue from.. I was wondering if there was a better fix. As this would be a massive amount of work. Also my issue is slightly different as I have ghosting text

[chrislong2]

It's the same exact issue I saw. And I decided since ultimately the issue is because there's something quirky about the frame control (it had problems on XP too with theming option buttons), that I could either wait for MS to fix (and perhaps wait a very long time) or just workaround by either putting controls in a picture box, trying a different frame control like krool's CommonControl ones, or getting rid of the frame altogether. I opted in my case to just get rid of it altogether. But yeah, a pain.

[baka]

one solution could be to parse the project files (like .frm) and add pictureboxes and place the textboxes inside.
that way u dont need to do it manually. of course u need to create the parser. but it shouldnt be that hard to do, just a bit of understanding how the .frm works, and its quite simple.

[cbirchy87]

Thank you. Only issue I have is I know I am really close the the control limit on some forms. So I'm worried about that. I will see how many areas need changing tomorrow. Thanks for the parser idea.

[cbirchy87]

The only bit I cannot work out, is that it only does this on some forms. I have a few that are completely uneffected.

[baka]

what about the enchantments that u can find in the codebank?
theres several replacements or upgrades for the normal components.
if u find something that u can replace it with, it shouldn't be that hard to create a parser that would replace the component u are using with the "new" component.

another take is all the "DPI-awereness" solutions, manifest etc. that maybe helps?
also, are there any differences between the IDE and compiled version?

[wqweto]

what about the enchantments that u can find in the codebank?

LOL

Some of the submissions there are pure magic, aren't they? :-))

cheers,
</wqw>

[baka]

well. a combobox is not that hard to create, so why the sarcasm?
Im not using any component but I know of the CommonControls (Replacement of the MS common controls) by Krool could be of interest. and other numerous control that could be used. and why not?
if u have a better idea, please share. otherwise why bother?

[Eduardo-]

why the sarcasm?

👇

what about the enchantments that u can find in the codebank?

did you mean attachments, enchantments or what?

[cbirchy87]

Hi all,
Again thanks for the help. I have run a test application using CommonControls (Replacement of the MS common controls). I have replaced the standard Frame with the new one. This has fixed this problem. I will now replace all frames with the replacement in the production app.

Thanks, baka for the recommendation.

[LeoFar]

Hi chirchy87,
since you have found the solution it would be useful if you set the discussion as SOLVED. Thanks.

[cbirchy87]

[oducille]

?

did you mean attachments, enchantments or what?

Gentlefolk,

Given the context wouldn't we read enhancements? Also, understanding the context of our aging userbase (I'm 67) we are now more prone to arthritis induced typos. Let's agree to give each other a break?

[yereverluvinuncleber]

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