IE7 Problems

[VBZeroPlus]

I recently upgraded to IE7 and have not experienced any problems with my earlier VB6 programs.

I just tried a new program where I have done nothing more than place a WebBrowser on a form and navigate to Yahoo.com. The browser shows the yahoo web site, but gives an error message -2(fffffffe).

I have seen on VB forums scattered mentions of issues with IE7, but have seen no solutions. Is that what I am seeing, and if so is there a resolution?

Thanks

[RhinoBull]

I have seen on VB forums scattered mentions of issues with IE7, but have seen no solutions. Is that what I am seeing, and if so is there a resolution?

I'm afraid there is no solution other than error trapping...
You all (those that try to use VB6's WebBrowser control with IE7 installed) must understand one thing - when VB6 came out it was 1998 so IE4 was most popular browser at that time. IE5 and IE6 were nothing more than IE4 enhancements so WebBrowser control that was designed during IE4 era could work with any new releases quite easy.
IE7 however is first brand new release in about decade so how in world would anyone expect it to work smoothly with some activex control that is about 10 years behind (from the technological progress stand point)?

... my 5c anyway ...

[lintz]

Well it would be nice if Microsoft released a new Webbrowser control that can handle IE7.

... my 2c anyway ...

[gavio]

I'm not using it (IE7), but since i'm eventually going to and since i've heard about those irritating problems, i red this somewhere:

Go to menu Project>>Components>>Browse... Locate "shdocvw.dll" in the "System32" directory. IDE will be referencing the "correct" (IE6) library for the WebBrowser control.

[lintz]

That will come in handy i'm sure gavio, thanks!

[RhinoBull]

Well it would be nice if Microsoft released a new Webbrowser control that can handle IE7.

... my 2c anyway ...

That's what new .Net framework is for...

[VBZeroPlus]

Well, tried the "shdocvw.dll" suggestion on a totally new project. referencing that dll made the WebBrowser show up on toolkit, but when I used it, still get same error.

Went back to an earlier test project in my computer and replicated the same code using a WebBrowser already existing in the earlier project and no error.

I also would like to uninstall IE7, but when I try that it gives me a raft of other programs that have been updated or installed since IE7 and which may not work properly if I uninstall it.

Anyway looks to me like IE7 not a good move if using VB6.

As a side question, anyone know if .net and VB6 can co-esist on same machine without problems or interactions?

[RhinoBull]

...Anyway looks to me like IE7 not a good move if using VB6.
As a side question, anyone know if .net and VB6 can co-esist on same machine without problems or interactions?

1. If you're developing in the corp environment then preventing users from loading any other than IE6 browser is as easy as enforcing internal policy.
If you howvere develop for general public all you can do is recommend what to use ... but that would also mean fewer (much fewer) users though.

2. VB6 and VB.Net (any or multiple versions) can happily coexist with no problems what so ever.

[VBZeroPlus]

One additional factoid. It appears that executable outside of IDE does not give error that occurs within IDE. So maybe the dll suggestion allows a working program to be produced, but makes building and debugging difficult using the IDE.

[RhinoBull]

The way I see it - if you cannot debug you won't be able to produce anything stable. It may work on some systems and it may fail on just as many others.
So, it's totally your call...

[longwolf]

System Restore might get rid of IE7 for you.
But your app would still have problems on other peoples comps

[RobDog888]

You could always backup your data and reformat/reinstall XP. Then once restored, block the automatic update of IE 7 until you go to .NET.

[Merri]

Mozilla ActiveX control exists as well, just that it has some size as it is compiled from full Mozilla Suite source with the additional files. The control mimics WebBrowser control, but there might of course be some issues with it. The last version I tested two years ago or so was just a bit too crash prone.

[dclamp]

How is .NET going to make the webbrowser easier to make?

[RobDog888]

In .NET you can add the web browser to your toolbox in a similar way you do in VB 6.

In VB.NET under XP SP2 I can add a component "Microsoft Web Browser" (shdocvw.dll) but in VB 6 its "Microsoft Internet Controls" (shdocvw.dll).

On Vista and VB 6 I only get the "Microsoft Internet Controls" (ieframe.dll).

[BrendanDavis]

VB6 and VS2005 (VB.Net) all on this machine, and they both work fine with no problems with each other (to answer a question asked in this thread). Don't know if anyone stated this yet or not, but I thought I'd post it anyway, just in case.

[BrendanDavis]

You could always backup your data and reformat/reinstall XP. Then once restored, block the automatic update of IE 7 until you go to .NET.

I have VS2005 Express. Am I safe to get IE 7 without trouble, or should I just stick with the version I have now? It's not a big concern, as I use Firefox. But for testing things, I'd like to keep up with the most commonly used browser to help prevent as many errors as possible within my app's.

[Merri]

I'd expect them to support .NET. They don't support VB6 anymore, so that's why they didn't do any special measuarements to ensure compatibility with it. But .NET is still supported.

It should be safe for you to update. IE7 is rolling fast to the computers of people, so it might not take too long it is used more widely than IE6.


You can also download Virtual PC 2004 for free. Install Windows on it and you can have IE6 there if the need be.

[RobDog888]

Dont forget that XP SP1 is no longer supported either and SP2 will end soon too. All new prebuilt and configured computers purchased soon will come with Vista already on it and XP may not be an option. So that will mean that IE 7 will be on Vista by default increasing the market share.

[Merri]

How do you think SP2 will end soon? Or XP support at all; it will take years until XP can't be found on almost every computer. They had to continue 98 support for a very long time, because users used it so much. Now XP is used widely and not everyone is ready to move on to Vista.

I can't remember when Windows 2000 support is to be dropped, but it is still supported as far as I know.

Users don't buy computers fast enough for Vista to spread quickly that way, people should upgrade (from Microsoft's point of view) but why would they? Most are content with what they have (as most PCs have far more power than the user actually needs).

[RobDog888]

Windows 2000 Pro:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000...edsupport.mspx

On June 30, 2005, the Windows 2000 product family enters the Extended Support phase, which continues for at least 5 years through June 2010.

Which means only paid support incidents and customers that purchased the OS under Software Assurance policy.


Windows 98 and ME:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifewinextndfaq

3. As recently as January 9, 2004 you confirmed that support would end on January 16, 2004. When was this decision made?
We have been discussing a support extension for some time and made a final decision on January 9, 2004. We have now begun communicating that decision.

4. Does this extension include support for Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition components like Internet Explorer?
Yes. Microsoft will extend the support end date for the current versions of components (such as Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 and Windows Media Player 9) on Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me. For these products running on these three Windows products, Microsoft will provide paid incident support. Microsoft will also continue to review and address critical security updates on these products, through July 11, 2006.

Microsoft Support Policy:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy


So why wait for the last minute to upgrade? At least you should be looking forward in preparation in order to make the upgrade easier.

[Merri]

Because updates still run in and I don't have a need for Vista (ie. I'm content with XP). Like the other millions of Windows XP users out there As long as security updates run in, I'm probably using XP unless I need to switch to Vista due to work (which atm seems unlikely as I'll be mostly doing web stuff).

[RobDog888]

Yes, there are still updates for XP active but pre-xp updates are no longer provided on Windows Update and also via support incidents is only 3 more years left.

True, web development is not dependant upon the Windows version but rather the browser running. So not much need for a web developer to upgrade.

[RhinoBull]

Because updates still run in and I don't have a need for Vista (ie. I'm content with XP). Like the other millions of Windows XP users out there As long as security updates run in, I'm probably using XP unless I need to switch to Vista due to work (which atm seems unlikely as I'll be mostly doing web stuff).

Indeed agreed...
Personally, I could care less for 3D desktop and "better memory management" - I don't do nothing major so with 2GB of RAM I have it's pretty darn good and if that's not enough I would put another 2GBs...
Also (and just for the heck of it) I just upgraded my laptop to IE7 and I don't see what's the big deal about it - IE6 works just as well I don't see any point for upgrade at all. Multiple tabs and few extra goodies? Hmm, perhaps... But what's wrong with having multiple windows open???
btw, Mneubar and Toolbar are not moveable - they both are unlocked but you can't rearrange them...

[longwolf]

You can also download Virtual PC 2004 for free. Install Windows on it and you can have IE6 there if the need be.

I know this is off topic but..
WOW thx for the link!!
And it's FREE?!?!?!
Has anyone tried it?
Did they buy out the Virtual PC guys or just rip them off?

[BrendanDavis]

Windows 2000 Pro:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000...edsupport.mspx
Which means only paid support incidents and customers that purchased the OS under Software Assurance policy.


Windows 98 and ME:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifewinextndfaq



Microsoft Support Policy:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy


So why wait for the last minute to upgrade? At least you should be looking forward in preparation in order to make the upgrade easier.

I disagree. Most computer guru's will be of one of 2 mindsets: 1) wanting to upgrade to have the newest, best thing out, or 2) won't want to upgrade until they absolutely have to, because they are fine with what they have and don't have any need for changes, epsecially if it's mostly visual.

I'm part of the second group, as I'm sure most are. And for those that AREN'T computer gurus/geeks/nerds/programmers/whatever, they won't go out and buy Vista. I promise you that. Everyone I know, save for 1 person, is what you'd call "an average user", and a lot of them never blinked at Windows XP when it came out. They got it when they bought a new computer(eventually), which not everyone does on a consistent basis. You forget that a large portion of the computer buyers market consists of folks who only buy a computer once every few years, if that. And if they're not savvy enough to want the Vista upgrade as soon as possible, it's going to take them a while to actually get it (when they get a new computer).

Just my 2c.

[RobDog888]

I also disagree as the majority colleges here in the US have agreements with Microsoft to be running the latest software on their systems in order to get a price break. One of my clients is a mid sized college and they run XP SP2 on ALL their systems and Server 2003 SP1 on all ~30 servers. I know not all government facilities are like this but it should be considered an influencing factor.

Sure there are those that dont want to upgrade until the bugs have been worked out but you soulnd like you have an accountants view on upgrades - not wanting to spend the money unless there is a tangeable return for the investment.

Each new OS version has been more secure then the previous. Vista has a entirely new layer of security and that alone could be worth an upgrade depending on the company's size and product/service they sell.

[RhinoBull]

...Sure there are those that dont want to upgrade ...
Each new OS version has been more secure then the previous...

It's not only about willingness - the COST is a tremendus factor for medium to large corps (small companies may not even think about it if everything works fine - why fix it if it ain't broken...).
And why is everybody mostly brings up the security thing - if you work in the corporate environment then you shouldn't even worry about that - everything is done for you outside your workstation.

[BrendanDavis]

why fix it if it ain't broken...)

Exactly. Most people that are what you would call your "average home user" aren't going to care about technicalities. What they'll care about is basically: "My computer works fine now, does everything I need it to, I'm happy."

And considering these people make up a large portion of the total amount of Windows users around the world, it's not something that can be ignored (unfortunately for Microsoft).

[Merri]

I know this is off topic but..
WOW thx for the link!!
And it's FREE?!?!?!
Has anyone tried it?
Did they buy out the Virtual PC guys or just rip them off?

If Virtual PC wasn't a Microsoft product to begin with, then yes, they've bought them. I'm running Xubuntu, Windows 98SE and Windows 2000 on it and they work all fine. It is nice to see I haven't spent money for nothing with the old licenses

Note that all Linuxes don't run well under Virtual PC, I had trouble with screen resolutions in Xubuntu. Atm I can only run it at 800 x 600 x 16 bits max. and I haven't bothered to figure out if I can have it bigger... XCFE uses quite a lot of space for some of it's windows (XCFE is the desktop environment Xubuntu uses).

[VBZeroPlus]

Regarding the original IE7 question, the following link seems to offer a rock solid resolution which is confirmed by several comments. However, my IDE continues to produce the error mentioned in the link. Very strange.

http://www.cfdan.com/posts/Visual_Ba...Explorer_7.cfm

[VBZeroPlus]

I see link did not copy correctly, so try it with quotes

"http://www.cfdan.com/posts/Visual_Basic_6_And_Internet_Explorer_7.cfm"

[gavio]

It seems that Virtual PC 2004 is the "only" solution...