Advanced query: Stand-Alone application

[winterishere8]

Hi All:

I developed an application using the application builder which automates the experiments in our lab. When I run this application, it talks to an external software (using activex) which runs our lab experiments. In a way my application automates the process. The problem is when I run my application, the external software launches 2 windows which shows the status of the progress of the experiment. I've tried using window handles to hide the windows, and all those techniques. They do not seem to work satisfactorily.

All I want to do is, when I run my application I do not want any other application windows to be open. It should appear to the user that my application is the only application running. Is there a way to do this ? Thanks.

[tbob]

Have you tried using windows handles to minimize the undesired windows that pop up?

[winterishere8]

Yes.

Since those windows indicate the progress of the experiment, even if I try to hide/minimize the windows, the window appears name appears in the task bar. I've actually tried all the VIs, minimize windows.vi, hide windows.vi, show window.vi, hide taskbar...So I am not sure how to proceed from here.

Sridhar.

[tbob]

I think what might be happening is that the external application you are calling is taking control of the progress windows on each update. Even if you minimize the windows, the external app will make them visible on its next update. Perhaps the only way to fix this is to re-write the external app since this is the one that contains the code to make the windows visible. Or maybe you could make your Labview app maximized and configure it to be always on top. But if the external app configures the progress windows to be on top on each update, it will continuously override your configuration. I hope this is clear.

[shoneill]

I know Excel and co. have a visible option when controlling via ActiveX. By setting the visible property to FALSE, the application is not visible in the task bar. If the external programs don't have this option, then You'll have to dig deep into Windows tricks to hide them I think.

Hope this helps.

Shane