App already running?

4 Jun 2006 3:52 PM

Bradley

Hey all,
Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.

Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled
my arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous
instance of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.

Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.

Thanks for any help!

-b

4 Jun 2006 4:13 PM

Bob Homes

I'm sure there's a windows API that will do just what you want. I may be able
to find it, but don't have time right now. Meanwhile, good luck

--
Thanks.
roho***@hotmail.com

Show quoteHide quote

"Bradley" wrote:

> Hey all,
> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
> check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>
> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled
> my arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous
> instance of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>
> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> -b
>

4 Jun 2006 4:18 PM

Bob Homes

Here's some code I created for VB6 --

Public Declare Function GetWindow Lib "user32" ( _
    ByVal hwnd As Long, _
    ByVal wCmd As Long _
) As Long

Public Declare Function GetWindowText Lib "user32" _
Alias "GetWindowTextA" ( _
    ByVal hwnd As Long, _
    ByVal lpString As String, _
    ByVal cch As Long _
) As Long

Public Declare Function GetWindowTextLength Lib "user32" _
Alias "GetWindowTextLengthA" ( _
    ByVal hwnd As Long _
) As Long

Public Const GW_HWNDFIRST = 0
Public Const GW_HWNDLAST = 1
Public Const GW_HWNDNEXT = 2
Public Const GW_HWNDPREV = 3
Public Const GW_OWNER = 4
Public Const GW_CHILD = 5

Sub LoadTaskList(FHandle As Long, Wins$())
'loads captions and handles of all windows in Wins$ array
Dim hwnd As Long, L, cap$, n
'Dim grd As MSFlexGrid
    ReDim Wins$(2, 0)

    n = 0
    hwnd = GetWindow(FHandle, GW_HWNDFIRST)
    Do While hwnd <> 0
        L = GetWindowTextLength(hwnd)

        cap$ = Space$(L + 1)
        L = GetWindowText(hwnd, cap$, L + 1)

        If L > 0 Then
            n = n + 1
            ReDim Preserve Wins$(2, n)

            Wins$(1, n) = cap$
            Wins$(2, n) = hwnd
        End If

        hwnd = GetWindow(hwnd, GW_HWNDNEXT)
        DoEvents
    Loop
End Sub

Function GetWinHandle(ByVal cap$, FHandle As Long) As Long
Dim n, i, t$, hwnd As Long, Found As Boolean, Wins$()
    GetWinHandle = 0

    LoadTaskList FHandle, Wins$()

    cap$ = UCase(cap$)

    n = UBound(Wins, 2)
    For i = 1 To n
        t$ = Wins$(1, i)
        t$ = UCase(t$)
        If InStr(t$, cap$) > 0 Then
            Found = True
            hwnd = Val(Wins$(2, i))
            Exit For
        End If
    Next i

    If Found Then GetWinHandle = hwnd
End Function

Function IsAppActive(ap$, whandle As Long) As Boolean
Dim h
    h = GetWinHandle(ap$, whandle)
    IsAppActive = (h > 0)
End Function

(I'm not an expert, so check this out thoroughly yourself!)

--
Good Luck!
roho***@hotmail.com

Show quoteHide quote

"Bradley" wrote:

> Hey all,
> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
> check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>
> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled
> my arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous
> instance of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>
> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> -b
>

4 Jun 2006 4:59 PM

Bradley

Thanks Bob, I'm see how this imports into vb.net.

-b

Bob Homes wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> Here's some code I created for VB6 --
>
> Public Declare Function GetWindow Lib "user32" ( _
>     ByVal hwnd As Long, _
>     ByVal wCmd As Long _
> ) As Long
>
> Public Declare Function GetWindowText Lib "user32" _
> Alias "GetWindowTextA" ( _
>     ByVal hwnd As Long, _
>     ByVal lpString As String, _
>     ByVal cch As Long _
> ) As Long
>
> Public Declare Function GetWindowTextLength Lib "user32" _
> Alias "GetWindowTextLengthA" ( _
>     ByVal hwnd As Long _
> ) As Long
>
> Public Const GW_HWNDFIRST = 0
> Public Const GW_HWNDLAST = 1
> Public Const GW_HWNDNEXT = 2
> Public Const GW_HWNDPREV = 3
> Public Const GW_OWNER = 4
> Public Const GW_CHILD = 5
>
>
> Sub LoadTaskList(FHandle As Long, Wins$())
> 'loads captions and handles of all windows in Wins$ array
> Dim hwnd As Long, L, cap$, n
> 'Dim grd As MSFlexGrid
>     ReDim Wins$(2, 0)
>
>     n = 0
>     hwnd = GetWindow(FHandle, GW_HWNDFIRST)
>     Do While hwnd <> 0
>         L = GetWindowTextLength(hwnd)
>
>         cap$ = Space$(L + 1)
>         L = GetWindowText(hwnd, cap$, L + 1)
>
>         If L > 0 Then
>             n = n + 1
>             ReDim Preserve Wins$(2, n)
>
>             Wins$(1, n) = cap$
>             Wins$(2, n) = hwnd
>         End If
>
>         hwnd = GetWindow(hwnd, GW_HWNDNEXT)
>         DoEvents
>     Loop
> End Sub
>
> Function GetWinHandle(ByVal cap$, FHandle As Long) As Long
> Dim n, i, t$, hwnd As Long, Found As Boolean, Wins$()
>     GetWinHandle = 0
>
>     LoadTaskList FHandle, Wins$()
>
>     cap$ = UCase(cap$)
>
>     n = UBound(Wins, 2)
>     For i = 1 To n
>         t$ = Wins$(1, i)
>         t$ = UCase(t$)
>         If InStr(t$, cap$) > 0 Then
>             Found = True
>             hwnd = Val(Wins$(2, i))
>             Exit For
>         End If
>     Next i
>
>     If Found Then GetWinHandle = hwnd
> End Function
>
> Function IsAppActive(ap$, whandle As Long) As Boolean
> Dim h
>     h = GetWinHandle(ap$, whandle)
>     IsAppActive = (h > 0)
> End Function
>
>
> (I'm not an expert, so check this out thoroughly yourself!)
>
>

4 Jun 2006 6:10 PM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

Bradley,

Beside using an Api you can of course use as well .Net.

After many discussion in this newsgroup is this probably the best solution

http://www.vb-tips.com/default.aspx?ID=59135549-e5dd-4501-9526-343ac05a7617

I hope this helps,

Cor

Show quoteHide quote

"Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schreef in bericht
news:XkDgg.49326$mh.890@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
> Hey all,
> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to check
> if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>
> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled my
> arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous instance of
> /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>
> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> -b

4 Jun 2006 7:02 PM

Bradley

Thanks, Cor,
What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?

-b

> Public Sub main()
>
> Dim owned As Boolean
> Dim mut As New System.Threading.Mutex(True, "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3", owned)
> If owned Then
> Application.Run(New Form1)
> mut.ReleaseMutex()
> Else
> MessageBox.Show("A previous instance is already running")
> End If
> End Sub

Cor Ligthert [MVP] wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> Bradley,
>
> Beside using an Api you can of course use as well .Net.
>
> After many discussion in this newsgroup is this probably the best solution
>
> http://www.vb-tips.com/default.aspx?ID=59135549-e5dd-4501-9526-343ac05a7617
>
> I hope this helps,
>
> Cor
>
>
> "Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schreef in bericht
> news:XkDgg.49326$mh.890@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>> Hey all,
>> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
>> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
>> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
>> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
>> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to check
>> if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>>
>> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled my
>> arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous instance of
>> /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>>
>> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>>
>> Thanks for any help!
>>
>> -b
>
>

4 Jun 2006 7:53 PM

Dennis

The following function should return true if another instance is running.
You can check this in the Sub Main or whever using "Application.Exit" or
Form.Close methods depending on how your are starting your application.

Private Function PrevInstance() As Boolean
        If
UBound(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcessesByName(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess.ProcessName)) > 0 Then
            Return True
        Else
            Return False
        End If
    End Function

--
Dennis in Houston

Show quoteHide quote

"Bradley" wrote:

> Thanks, Cor,
> What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?
>
> -b
>
> > Public Sub main()
> >
> > Dim owned As Boolean
> > Dim mut As New System.Threading.Mutex(True, "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3", owned)
> > If owned Then
> > Application.Run(New Form1)
> > mut.ReleaseMutex()
> > Else
> > MessageBox.Show("A previous instance is already running")
> > End If
> > End Sub
>
> Cor Ligthert [MVP] wrote:
> > Bradley,
> >
> > Beside using an Api you can of course use as well .Net.
> >
> > After many discussion in this newsgroup is this probably the best solution
> >
> > http://www.vb-tips.com/default.aspx?ID=59135549-e5dd-4501-9526-343ac05a7617
> >
> > I hope this helps,
> >
> > Cor
> >
> >
> > "Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schreef in bericht
> > news:XkDgg.49326$mh.890@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
> >> Hey all,
> >> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> >> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
> >> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
> >> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
> >> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to check
> >> if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
> >>
> >> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled my
> >> arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous instance of
> >> /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
> >>
> >> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
> >>
> >> Thanks for any help!
> >>
> >> -b
> >
> >
>

4 Jun 2006 11:07 PM

Bradley

Dennis wrote:

> The following function should return true if another instance is running.
> You can check this in the Sub Main or whever using "Application.Exit" or
> Form.Close methods depending on how your are starting your application.
>
> Private Function PrevInstance() As Boolean
>         If
> UBound(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcessesByName(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess.ProcessName)) > 0 Then
>             Return True
>         Else
>             Return False
>         End If
>     End Function

Thanks all, great help! Question Dennis: How would the above code look
for a second instance of, say, notepad.exe? (I'll admit it, I'm greener
than green on vb.net...)

-b

5 Jun 2006 5:57 PM

cj

Perhaps you are looking for something like this:

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim prg As String
    prg = InputBox("what program are we looking for?", "", "notepad")
    MessageBox.Show(HowManyRunning(prg) & " instances of " & prg & " are
currently running")
End Sub

Private Function HowManyRunning(ByVal program As String) As Int32
         Return
UBound(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcessesByName(program)) + 1
End Function

Bradley wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> Dennis wrote:
>> The following function should return true if another instance is
>> running. You can check this in the Sub Main or whever using
>> "Application.Exit" or Form.Close methods depending on how your are
>> starting your application.
>>
>> Private Function PrevInstance() As Boolean
>>         If
>> UBound(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcessesByName(System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess.ProcessName))
>> > 0 Then
>>             Return True
>>         Else
>>             Return False
>>         End If
>>     End Function
>
> Thanks all, great help! Question Dennis: How would the above code look
> for a second instance of, say, notepad.exe? (I'll admit it, I'm greener
> than green on vb.net...)
>
> -b

4 Jun 2006 8:10 PM

GhostInAK

Hello Bradley,

The Mutex option will not work. If someone opens the target application
using a means other than the launcher then the Mutex will not exist and the
app will now be open twice. Conversely, someone could open the app from
the launcher and then open it using another means. The mutex would exist
but the 'other means' doesnt give two hoots about the mutex.

-Boo

Show quoteHide quote

> Thanks, Cor,
> What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?
> -b
>
>> Public Sub main()
>>
>> Dim owned As Boolean
>> Dim mut As New System.Threading.Mutex(True, "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3",
>> owned)
>> If owned Then
>> Application.Run(New Form1)
>> mut.ReleaseMutex()
>> Else
>> MessageBox.Show("A previous instance is already running")
>> End If
>> End Sub
> Cor Ligthert [MVP] wrote:
>
>> Bradley,
>>
>> Beside using an Api you can of course use as well .Net.
>>
>> After many discussion in this newsgroup is this probably the best
>> solution
>>
>> http://www.vb-tips.com/default.aspx?ID=59135549-e5dd-4501-9526-343ac0
>> 5a7617
>>
>> I hope this helps,
>>
>> Cor
>>
>> "Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schreef in bericht
>> news:XkDgg.49326$mh.890@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>>
>>> Hey all,
>>> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
>>> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and
>>> would
>>> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me,
>>> figure
>>> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example)
>>> is
>>> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
>>> check
>>> if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>>> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've
>>> googled my arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a
>>> previous instance of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>>>
>>> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help!
>>>
>>> -b
>>>

5 Jun 2006 2:29 PM

Jim Wooley

> Hello Bradley,
>
> The Mutex option will not work. If someone opens the target
> application using a means other than the launcher then the Mutex will
> not exist and the app will now be open twice. Conversely, someone
> could open the app from the launcher and then open it using another
> means. The mutex would exist but the 'other means' doesnt give two
> hoots about the mutex.

Ah, herein lies the trick. Don't open the app from a launcher, but open it
directly. On the open, check the mutex. If it exists, the app is already
running. If not this is a first instance. If you are using 2005, SingleInstance
is extremely easy, otherwise it is a bit more tricky and interesting. I have
a write-up at http://devauthority.com/blogs/jwooley/archive/2005/07/28/318.aspx.

Jim Wooley
http://devauthority.com/blogs/jwooley/default.aspx

5 Jun 2006 6:12 AM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

> What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?
>

Something that probably does not exist already

:-)

Cor

Show quoteHide quote

> -b
>
> > Public Sub main()
> >
> > Dim owned As Boolean
> > Dim mut As New System.Threading.Mutex(True, "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3", owned)
> > If owned Then
> > Application.Run(New Form1)
> > mut.ReleaseMutex()
> > Else
> > MessageBox.Show("A previous instance is already running")
> > End If
> > End Sub
>
> Cor Ligthert [MVP] wrote:
>> Bradley,
>>
>> Beside using an Api you can of course use as well .Net.
>>
>> After many discussion in this newsgroup is this probably the best
>> solution
>>
>> http://www.vb-tips.com/default.aspx?ID=59135549-e5dd-4501-9526-343ac05a7617
>>
>> I hope this helps,
>>
>> Cor
>>
>>
>> "Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schreef in bericht
>> news:XkDgg.49326$mh.890@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>>> Hey all,
>>> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
>>> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
>>> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
>>> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
>>> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
>>> check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>>>
>>> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled my
>>> arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous instance
>>> of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>>>
>>> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help!
>>>
>>> -b
>>

5 Jun 2006 9:39 AM

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

"Cor Ligthert [MVP]" <notmyfirstn***@planet.nl> schrieb:
>> What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?
>
> Something that probably does not exist already

ACK. However, I don't think that your answer applies to the OP's question.

--
M S Herfried K. Wagner
M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>

5 Jun 2006 2:02 PM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

Herfried,

Not as it is described, but I try forever not to read characters and words,
but what it can be. And than it is for me the best solution. I think that
the OP means with notepad a sample, not the exact application.

Cor

Show quoteHide quote

"Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]" <hirf-spam-me-here@gmx.at> schreef in bericht
news:%23KfzxPIiGHA.3408@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "Cor Ligthert [MVP]" <notmyfirstn***@planet.nl> schrieb:
>>> What does "xvcjsdf67AS124#$3" refer to? Anything in particular?
>>
>> Something that probably does not exist already
>
> ACK. However, I don't think that your answer applies to the OP's
> question.
>
> --
> M S Herfried K. Wagner
> M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
> V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>

5 Jun 2006 2:27 PM

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

"Cor Ligthert [MVP]" <notmyfirstn***@planet.nl> schrieb:
> Not as it is described, but I try forever not to read characters and
> words, but what it can be. And than it is for me the best solution. I
> think that the OP means with notepad a sample, not the exact application.

That's true, but the mutex sample will only work for your own application
whereas the OP wants to write a launcher application that prevents starting
applications more than once.

--
M S Herfried K. Wagner
M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>

5 Jun 2006 7:30 PM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

Herfried,

> That's true, but the mutex sample will only work for your own application
> whereas the OP wants to write a launcher application that prevents
> starting applications more than once.
>

I know, but why would you want to stop the behaviour from programs from
others. Are you than not in fact changing behaviour of software from others,
having the change that somebody bails you because you can give a wrong idea
about that software or just claims the cost by instance after long calls
with the servicedesk from that software.

Just my thought,

Cor

5 Jun 2006 7:36 PM

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

"Cor Ligthert [MVP]" <notmyfirstn***@planet.nl> schrieb:
>> That's true, but the mutex sample will only work for your own application
>> whereas the OP wants to write a launcher application that prevents
>> starting applications more than once.
>
> I know, but why would you want to stop the behaviour from programs from
> others. Are you than not in fact changing behaviour of software from
> others, having the change that somebody bails you because you can give a
> wrong idea about that software or just claims the cost by instance after
> long calls with the servicedesk from that software.

Huh? Who except you wants to change the behavior of software here? The OP
simply wants to start an application only if it is not already running.
This is a common feature in application launcher applications.

--
M S Herfried K. Wagner
M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>

6 Jun 2006 6:17 AM

Cor Ligthert [MVP]

Herfried,

>
> Huh? Who except you wants to change the behavior of software here? The
> OP simply wants to start an application only if it is not already running.
> This is a common feature in application launcher applications.
>

So you start an instance of Internet Explorer and you want to start a second
instance (assuming you have not IE 7 beta, what you probably use) or by
instance Excel or Word. And it will not start. What do you do, call
Microsoft, go to a newsgroup, Google?

Can you remember that guy/girl some years ago that did want to do some; what
he was calling funny things for his collegues?

If it is his own program, than that what I showed is in my idea the best.
Not mine however what I remember me as a discussions between You, Jon and
Tom and in my idea in a better way written on our website by Ken.

Cor

6 Jun 2006 10:39 AM

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

"Cor Ligthert [MVP]" <notmyfirstn***@planet.nl> schrieb:
>> Huh? Who except you wants to change the behavior of software here? The
>> OP simply wants to start an application only if it is not already
>> running. This is a common feature in application launcher applications.
>
> So you start an instance of Internet Explorer and you want to start a
> second instance (assuming you have not IE 7 beta, what you probably use)
> or by instance Excel or Word. And it will not start. What do you do, call
> Microsoft, go to a newsgroup, Google?

Well, you are starting it through a launcher application which certainly
provides a checkbox to turn this behavior off. I remember I once had a
3rd-party application launcher application installed which provided exactly
this behavior and I found it useful.

--
M S Herfried K. Wagner
M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>

4 Jun 2006 7:00 PM

GhostInAK

Hello Bradley,

Consider System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcesses()

You could compare the executable names.

-Boo

Show quoteHide quote

> Hey all,
> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and
> would
> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me,
> figure out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an
> example) is already running. My program tries to launch it again, but
> I need to check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.
>
> Does anyone have a snipped to code to help me out here? I've googled
> my arse off and the closest I can get is to check for a previous
> instance of /my/ app, and I can't even get /that/ to work.
>
> Sounds simple, but I'm stumped.
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> -b
>

4 Jun 2006 7:48 PM

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

"Bradley" <Brad***@buyer.nut> schrieb:
> Another convert to vb.net here. My vb6 program was an application
> launcher that checked for previous instances of said programs and would
> alert the user with a message box. I can't, for the life of me, figure
> out how to do this in vb.net. Let's say notepad.exe (as an example) is
> already running. My program tries to launch it again, but I need to
> check if notepad.exe is already running before I launch it.

Check out 'System.Diagnostics.Process.GetProcess*'.

--
M S Herfried K. Wagner
M V P <URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>
V B <URL:http://classicvb.org/petition/>