DOCUMENT:Q190523 31-JUL-2001 [vbwin] TITLE :PRB: Automation Error (-2147417843) When You Use the Taskbar Not PRODUCT :Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows PROD/VER::5.0,6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbprogramming kbAutomation kbVBp kbVBp500 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport kbofficeprog ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 - Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 - Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you use the Shell_NotifyIcon function or the SysTray control sample from the Visual Basic CD-ROM, you may receive the following error message: Run-time error: -2147417843 (8001010d) Automation Error CAUSE ===== The run-time error occurs because you are trying to make an Automation call to an out-of-process (ActiveX) EXE from within the event notification of the Taskbar Notification Area callback. The value -2147417843 translates to the following error message: An outgoing call cannot be made since the application is dispatching an input-synchronous call. Automation clients are required by COM to process input-synchronous calls without interruption, and therefore are prevented from making outgoing Automation calls while processing such messages. RESOLUTION ========== Avoid making outgoing Automation calls during the Taskbar Notification Area callback. If an Automation method needs to be called in response to a user event involving the Taskbar Notification Area, use a simple Timer to post yourself a message, and then let the callback function complete. When the Timer event fires, you can safely call your Automation method. STATUS ====== This behavior is by design. MORE INFORMATION ================ Steps to Reproduce Behavior --------------------------- 1. Copy the SysTray control sample from the Tools\Unsupprt folder of the Visual Basic 5.0 CD-ROM, or the Common\Tools\VB\Unsupprt folder of the Visual Basic 6.0 CD-ROM, to your hard drive. 2. Open the project and compile the control. When complete, close the project. 3. Create a new Standard EXE project. Form1 is created by default. 4. From the Project menu, click Components, and check System Tray Icon Control. Click OK. 5. Select the SysTray control in the toolbox and add an instance to Form1. 6. Add the following code into Form1's code window: Option Explicit Private oWord As Object Private Sub Form_Load() Set oWord = CreateObject("Word.Application") Set cSysTray1.TrayIcon = Me.Icon cSysTray1.InTray = True End Sub Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer) cSysTray1.InTray = False Set oWord = Nothing End Sub Private Sub cSysTray1_MouseDblClick(Button As Integer, Id As Long) oWord.Visible = True End Sub 7. Run the application by pressing the F5 key. The error occurs when you double-click the application's icon in the System Tray. Press the END key to stop the debugger. 8. To avoid the error, add a Timer to Form1. 9. Replace the code in Form1 with the following: Option Explicit Private oWord As Object Private Sub Form_Load() Set oWord = CreateObject("Word.Application") Set cSysTray1.TrayIcon = Me.Icon cSysTray1.InTray = True Timer1.Enabled = False Timer1.Interval = 10 End Sub Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer) cSysTray1.InTray = False Set oWord = Nothing End Sub Private Sub cSysTray1_MouseDblClick(Button As Integer, Id As Long) Timer1.Enabled = True End Sub Private Sub Timer1_Timer() Timer1.Enabled = False oWord.Visible = True End Sub 10. Re-run the application by pressing the F5 key. This time no error should occur. REFERENCES ========== For additional information about input-synchronous calls in COM and this Automation error, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q131056 PRB: Synch OLE Call Fails in Inter-Process/Thread SendMessage For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q176085 HOWTO: Use the Taskbar Notification Area Directly from Visual Basic 5.0 Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbprogramming kbAutomation kbVBp kbVBp500 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport kbofficeprog Technology : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2 kbVB500Search kbVB600Search kbVBA500 kbVBA600 kbVB500 kbVB600 Version : :5.0,6.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.