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Call external gps app from VB.NET in CF 3.5 and return back to VB.NET app

I am writing an application in VB.NET that allows the user to call Garmin Mobile XT to get directions.

I have a form that stays open for Garmin and after exiting Garmin allows the user to return.

Sometimes, however, this form is automatically hidden by the WM OS.

Any ideas on how I can get the form to stay in place - or can I put a check on my app launch to check if the app is running and the form is hidden and return the form to the top?

I tried setting the TopMost form, but that means the GPS application cannot be seen as my form is the very top one above the GPS application.

I tried to catch the closure handler for the form, but that doesn't work - I would guess because WM OS just hides the form and doesn't actually close it.

I tried catch on the Deactivate handler form to prevent loss of focus, but that does the same as the TopMost property and I can't see the GPS app.

Any ideas on where I can go from here as I don't really have a clue!

Thanks Adam

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I believe that this should be done, as in "normal" VB / VBA, through the OS API. Get the winAPI help file :-).

Now I suggest your app to repeat all windows, find your GPS app using:

HWND FindWindow (

LPCTSTR lpClassName,  // pointer to class name
LPCTSTR lpWindowName  // pointer to window name    );

and then you can either change your Z-order (put it above or below some other specific wind):



BOOL SetWindowPos (

HWND hWnd,    // handle of window
HWND hWndInsertAfter, // placement-order handle
int X,    // horizontal position
int Y,    // vertical position
int cx,   // width
int cy,   // height
UINT uFlags   // window-positioning flags    );

or just ask it to restore (which should automatically bring it to the highest Z-order) using:

BOOL SetWindowPlacement (

HWND hWnd,    // handle of window
CONST WINDOWPLACEMENT *lpwndpl    // address of structure with position

);

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