SetComputerNameEx() Return Codes?

[Eric Dropps]

Hello all,

Having a problem with SetComputerName Ex() -- the API says it returns 0 on
failure, but for me it is always returning a random number on failure or
success. Interestingly though, the code is working in terms of renaming a
computer, assuming the new name is valid. How can i check to see if the
name is invalid, since the function is always returning a non-zero value?

Sample Code Below:

Private Sub RenameComputer( ByVal strNewName)

Dim RtrnVal

RtrnVal =
SetComputerName Ex(COMPUTER_NAM E_FORMAT.Comput erNamePhysicalD nsHostname,
strNewName)

MsgBox(RtrnVal)

If RtrnVal = 0 Then

MsgBox("Error: Could not rename computer. Check to make sure the computer
name does not contain spaces, symbols, or punctuation.")

myCaller.LblSta tus.Text = "There was an error renaming the computer"

Else

myCaller.LblSta tus.Text = "Computer renamed successfully. Please reboot to
continue."

myCaller.JoinDo mainButton.Enab led = False

myCaller.DeptsB ox.Enabled = False

End If

End Sub



Eric Dropps
Jr. Systems Administrator
Harvard University FAS Computer Services
dropps@fas.harv ard.edu 617.495.9768

[Mattias Sjögren]

Re: SetComputerName Ex() Return Codes?

Eric,

>How can i check to see if the
>name is invalid, since the function is always returning a non-zero value?

You didn't post the most interesting part of your code - your
declaration of the function. But I'm guessing you've taken an old VB6
declaration where the return type is Long instead of Boolean as it
should be in VB.NET. That type of error generally manifests itself in
"random" number being returned (since you're reading garbage off the
stack).

>Sample Code Below:
>
>Private Sub RenameComputer( ByVal strNewName)
>
>Dim RtrnVal

Eek! I strongly recommend turning on Option Strict and start typing
your variables.


Mattias

--
Mattias Sjögren [C# MVP] mattias @ mvps.org
http://www.msjogren.net/dotnet/ | http://www.dotnetinterop.com
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