Visual Basic 6 in read only mode

[Karis]

I have Visual Basic 6 Pro, Service Pack 4 on an old, spare PC loaded with Windows XP Pro which I use to run some older programmes not compatible with Win 10. It's been working away happily for around 6 years with all my other legacy programmes but I haven’t used VB on it since February 2016. I recently needed to update some 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 create, change or save files.

It keeps asking me to load visio.msi from my installation media but neither my CD's version of VB6 or service pack 4 has this file. I know MS no longer support XP but did one of the last XP auto updates do something to my installed OS as a "parting gift" that would restrict it to read only mode? If so why & is there a way around it? anyone know what’s going on?

Would re-installing the XP Pro, software I have without the later MS updates before they stopped support restore the status-quo? I use VB so little now & don't want to go to the expense of buying the latest Visio package!

 

[Cromewell]

You say Visual Basic several times, but it sounds like a visio drawing. Are you using a visio form component or something? Why not just open the thing in visio?

 

[Karis]

Hi Cromwell
Problem is now solved & you did provide the required “light bulb” moment! Having not done any of this work for at least 2 years, I finally realised I was being a bit of a “part”. You are indeed correct; I was trying to open a Visio file with VB6 + 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 for these 2 app in their cd cases, hence not finding the .msi file. 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 plays tricks on your brain; use it or loose it I suppose!