vb6 – help files missing (VB6)

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I can’t locate the help files for VB6.

In WordVBA I’m used to placing the cursor on a reserved word and tapping the F1 key; a context-relevant help screen springs into view and away I go.

In VB6 when I tap the F1 key, I get a pop-up box “The MSDN collection does not exists. Please reinstall MSDN”. At the time I installed VB6 from the two CDs, neither appeared to have the MSDN.

A search of the KB gives me hits on how to DEVELOP help files, but I can’t find out where I might download or order the relevant files.

I’d appreciate any help in working out how to install the help files. Thanks.

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Whoever gave you your copy of VB6 for this project should have given you an MSDN Library CD – in some form of other – to go with it. That is the “out of the box” scenario. MS put all their Developer info into MSDN. There is a specialised version of the Library that ships with VS6. As that becomes out of date, your VB6 module is so set up to key either to the shipping version of MSDN or a later Library update. Suggest that you revert to your client(?) – who gave you all the other material.

Loungers will no doubt have very mixed views on the investment value of taking out a year’s Library subscription to MSDN (the lowest price level) – which is shipped quarterly. These days, it is likely to be full of .NET material. It does also, however, tend to keep archive material for quite a while and there are various books that are excerpted in whole or in part.

HTH

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The MSDN Library that installs with VB or VS is separate from the MSDN Library that ships quarterly.

You should have an MSDN CD-ROM with the product. If not, call MSFT and.or return the product.

Depending on which version of VB or VS you purchased, there should be a card entitling you to a year’s free MSDN Library updates.

Those get installed in a directory separate from the MSDN Library that came with the VB/VS software.

You choose which you wish to use as the default for Help.

The October 2001 MSDN Library distribution is RUMORED to be the last that stresses VB 6. It is RUMORED that the January 2002 MSDN Library will be dropping a lot of files to make room for VB.NET stuff.

Normally, I only keep the latest library installed, i.e., Oct 2001. However, if the Jan 2002 is to be that different, I might keep the Oct 2001 permanently installed.

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>Whoever gave you your copy of VB6 for this project should have given you an MSDN Library CD –

Yes, you are right. It is a “warm” copy, supplied by a bona fide supplier. The scheme (not scam) is for me to spend a week seeing if I can unravel the CD of the software project to make it all worthwhile; if so, I/we will purchase and install a full-scale copy and roll up the sleeves. If, however, we find that large chunks of the developer’s code is misisng or padlocked or whatever, then maybe the deal is off.

So, I gather from your response that once we purchase and install a regular copy of Visual Studio, the help files will magically appear.

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AFAIK, every version of VB 6 and VS comes with the MSDN Library CD-ROM.

If you want to evaluate things, buy the VB 6 Learning edition. Seacrch at http://www.pricegrabber.com. It;s less than $100.

And having the Learning EDition qualies you to buy the upgrade to the other VB 6 versions at the upgrade price. At least that was so when I purchased VB 6 in a bygone era.

Actually, I had VB 5 Learning EDition, so this worked great for me.

Note: As I pointed out in another thread, I recently stumbled on an indication tat MSFT might discontinue selling VB 6 10 or 11 January 2002. I saw this in the retail price list at MSFT’s web site. I can believe tat because they want to force everyone to use VB.NET.

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> MSFT might discontinue selling VB 6 10 or 11 January 2002.

This might be good news for me, that for once in my life I start off with the latest version of soemthing, instead of discontinued stock.

Thanks for the post; I will discuss this with my supplier and let you know of any feedback.

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Howard,

I’d find that quite unlikely. [indent]

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MSFT might discontinue selling VB 6 10 or 11 January 2002

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[/indent]As far as I know, only beta versions of VB.Net are available. I could not buy a copy if I wanted.

And the changes appear radical. I don’t know a lot- but it gives the impression that a rewrite, rather than a mere conversion, would be necessary.

To pull VB6 at thhis stage would be not desirable.

I had trouble inferring a “stop selling” date from your previous post. I may have not been looking at the right place.

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The online help may well be on the Microsoft site- it certainly is for Office VBA. It’s not as convenient as using F1, but it might help in the meantime.

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>It’s not as convenient as using F1,

Thanks, Geoff. I’d find the online help a pain. I hate tying up my ‘phone line.

Also, The F1 key is handy during one of those long boring ‘phone calls. I’ve gotten pretty good at saying “Uh-huh” while clicking on another Little Green Link.

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