Using a GroupBox causes GDI+ generic error on Windows 98

[Andrew Wiseman]

We're developing an application using Visual Studio .NET 2003, which works
fine on Windows XP and Windows 2003, but causes a GDI+ generic error when
run on a Windows 98 box.

The problem seems to be in using GroupBoxes. To test this, I started a new
project, put two groupboxes on the form, with two radio controls inside one
and some labels and textboxes inside the other. Running the resulting
executable on Windows 98 shows the group boxes as cream coloured boxes with
red borders and a red cross through them (although the radio buttons, lables
and text boxes show up just fine).

The Win98 machine has the .NET framework 1.1 installed.

Is this a known problem that happens with all Windows 98 machines or is it
local to my machine?

Andrew Wiseman

 

[Andrew Wiseman]

Is this a known problem that happens with all Windows 98 machines or is it
local to my machine?

I've just managed to borrow another victim's Windows 98 machine, installed
..NET framework 1.1, intalled my test program containing a couple of
GroupBoxes. It works fine, thankfully.

The 'broken' machine is a Dell laptop running DirectX 9.0b.

Worrying...

Andrew Wiseman

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

I've just managed to borrow another victim's Windows 98 machine, installed
.NET framework 1.1, intalled my test program containing a couple of
GroupBoxes. It works fine, thankfully.

The 'broken' machine is a Dell laptop running DirectX 9.0b.

Maybe it's a problem with the graphics driver. Does an update help?

 

[Andrew Wiseman]

Maybe it's a problem with the graphics driver. Does an update help?

I turned off graphics acceleration using the standard Windows 98 dialogue in
My Computer | Properties, and the problem went away. So it certainly looks
like a graphics driver problem. My only concern is, I have found another
laptop, which is the same model but with a smaller display, and it seems to
have the same driver on, and yet this one doesn't exhibit any problem.

I haven't been able to find an updated driver. NeoMagic aren't in the laptop
adapter market anymore and Dell's web site doesn't seem to have drivers for
it. I'll just have to fiddle around some more...

Andrew Wiseman

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Andrew,

I turned off graphics acceleration using the standard Windows 98 dialogue in
My Computer | Properties, and the problem went away. So it certainly looks
like a graphics driver problem. My only concern is, I have found another
laptop, which is the same model but with a smaller display, and it seems to
have the same driver on, and yet this one doesn't exhibit any problem.

I feel sorry, I don't have another idea to fix that problem, but thank
you for sharing your experience and a possible solution with the group.