Visual Basic 6 no longer works

[Richard C]

I have Visual Basic 6 Pro, Service Pack 4 on an old, spare PC loaded with Windows XP Pro which I have happily worked with for many years. I haven’t used VB on it since February 2016 & recently wanted to update some of my archive schematic drawings but I now find that although I can still open the files, the software is in view only mode meaning I can no longer change or save the files.

It keeps asking me to load visio.msi from my installation media but neither my CD version of VB6 or service pack 4 has this file. I know MS no longer support XP but did they change something on one of the last XP updates they did that would cause this? If so why & is there a way around it? Would re-installing the XP Pro, software I have without the later MS updates before they stopped support restore the status-quo; anyone advise what’s going on?

 

[Astra99]

It appears that there is a Service Pack 6 for VB6, which is still available on the Microsoft website. https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=5721. Might be worth trying this first. However, from what I can find, it appears Visio is an add-on for VB6, so you may need to do a web search (or search your software discs!) to find the installer.
HTH

 

[Richard C]

Hi Astra99
Thanks for the response, the problem is now solved. Having not done any of this work for at least 2 years, I finally realised I was being a bit of a “part” & was trying to open a Visio file with VB6! To make things worse, I was also looking on the wrong disc for the visio.msi file. Both these apps had disappeared from my PC as a result of an OS re-install a while back & somehow I had managed to transpose the software discs in their cd cases. I’ve now re-installed Visio pro 2002 (where the visio.msi is indeed located) & everything is now working fine.

Just goes to show that a combination of not using something regularly & advancing years can play tricks on your brain; use it or loose it I suppose!

 

[Astra99]

Hi Richard C
Glad to know you are now all sorted. I concur regarding the comment about advancing years!

 

[Richard C]

I concur regarding the comment about advancing years!

It's a bit frightening when you realise, that you just know it's just true!