Did IE7 make a change in the wininet.lib ?

[S***@gmail.com]

So I have this little app that checks something on my server every few
minutes. It's nothing more than me calling my own Perl script and
getting back either a 1 or a 0.

I always make sure I call the session with this:


hURL = O113_IOU(hInternetSession, script, "", 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);


I do this to make sure I always get FRESH data.

This has always worked. All of a sudden last week, no more. Unless I
stop and restart the program, I don't get fresh data.

The ONLY thing that changed was that I did download and install IE7
(used to be 6).

Anyone know if this could be my problem?

Thanks ahead,


Sergio

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

I don't understand. What is the O113_IOU() function? What is the script
parameter? Why is one of the parameters an empty string?

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com
So I have this little app that checks something on my server every few
minutes. It's nothing more than me calling my own Perl script and
getting back either a 1 or a 0.
hURL = O113_IOU(hInternetSession, script, "", 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);
I do this to make sure I always get FRESH data.
This has always worked. All of a sudden last week, no more. Unless I
stop and restart the program, I don't get fresh data.
The ONLY thing that changed was that I did download and install IE7
(used to be 6).
Anyone know if this could be my problem?
Thanks ahead,
Sergio

[Vladimir Scherbina]

Hi Paul!

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
I don't understand. What is the O113_IOU() function? What is the script
parameter? Why is one of the parameters an empty string?

Most likely OP is referring to InternetOpenUrl. The code mentioned by him
represents a call via pointer to function.

[Vladimir Scherbina]

The short answer for your question is "yes". MS did changes in wininet.dll
in IE7. Not sure I undertand your problem correctly, do you have any error
returned by InternetOpenUrl ?
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by S***@gmail.com
So I have this little app that checks something on my server every few
minutes. It's nothing more than me calling my own Perl script and
getting back either a 1 or a 0.
hURL = O113_IOU(hInternetSession, script, "", 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);
I do this to make sure I always get FRESH data.
This has always worked. All of a sudden last week, no more. Unless I
stop and restart the program, I don't get fresh data.
The ONLY thing that changed was that I did download and install IE7
(used to be 6).
Anyone know if this could be my problem?
Thanks ahead,
Sergio

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

The protocol (HTTP, FTP or other) may be important, and if it is HTTP, the
HTTP headers of the request and/or response may be important. We should be
able to tell these things from the URL (script parameter).

It seems to me that lpszHeaders should be NULL, not "", or is this not
possible in Perl script?

What's your "Check for newer versions of pages" option set to? I think the
default is "Automatically". I don't know what exactly that means, but the
definition could have changed in IE7. Does changing this to "Every visit to
the page" workaround it? I would think, though, that INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD
would override this.

Feel free to correct me if I am going in the wrong direction, Vladimir.

Paul

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
The short answer for your question is "yes". MS did changes in wininet.dll
in IE7. Not sure I undertand your problem correctly, do you have any error
returned by InternetOpenUrl ?
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by S***@gmail.com
So I have this little app that checks something on my server every few
minutes. It's nothing more than me calling my own Perl script and
getting back either a 1 or a 0.
hURL = O113_IOU(hInternetSession, script, "", 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);
I do this to make sure I always get FRESH data.
This has always worked. All of a sudden last week, no more. Unless I
stop and restart the program, I don't get fresh data.
The ONLY thing that changed was that I did download and install IE7
(used to be 6).
Anyone know if this could be my problem?
Thanks ahead,
Sergio

[S***@gmail.com]

My apologies for the confusion, my app was pieced from old code (in a
hurry) essentially it condenses to the line below ****. I just assumed
that this is the line the matters. The one that says do not cache, and
get fresh data. Which by the way always worked unitl I upgraded to
IE7. Which is what makes me wonder what can I do next.


****
hURL =
InternetOpenUrl( hInternetSession,
script,
"",
0,
0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

I have asked you a number of questions which may help get to the bottom of
the problem.

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com
My apologies for the confusion, my app was pieced from old code (in a
hurry) essentially it condenses to the line below ****. I just assumed
that this is the line the matters. The one that says do not cache, and
get fresh data. Which by the way always worked unitl I upgraded to
IE7. Which is what makes me wonder what can I do next.
****
hURL =
InternetOpenUrl( hInternetSession,
script,
"",
0,
0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
It seems to me that lpszHeaders should be NULL, not "", or is this not
possible in Perl script?

Changed to NULL, didn't make a difference. BTW, my app is written in
C, not Perl. The URL it is calling is a Perl script that returns
either 0 or 1

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
What's your "Check for newer versions of pages" option set to? I think the
default is "Automatically". I don't know what exactly that means, but the
definition could have changed in IE7. Does changing this to "Every visit to
the page" workaround it? I would think, though, that INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD
would override this.

I don't know of these settings. Did a search for them in the SDK but
couldn't find them.

Sergio

[Vladimir Scherbina]

<***@gmail.com> wrote in message news:***@80g2000cwy.googlegroups.com...

[...]

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
What's your "Check for newer versions of pages" option set to? I think the
default is "Automatically". I don't know what exactly that means, but the
definition could have changed in IE7. Does changing this to "Every visit to
the page" workaround it? I would think, though, that INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD
would override this.

I don't know of these settings. Did a search for them in the SDK but
couldn't find them.

Open IE7, goto

Tools->Internet Options->General tab->Browsing history->Settings

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
Open IE7, goto
Tools->Internet Options->General tab->Browsing history->Settings

My apps settings for that instance should override that. However, in
the sense of being thorough I will test that this afternoon.

May I just state for the record if this is what recked my app, then my
app is done! Not going to have all of my browsing habits changed just
for one app. And this would really just be the icing on me getting
more and more pissed at Microsoft.

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

Sergio,

My suggestions are not meant as solutions, only diagnostic tools. Yes, your
calls should be overriding these, but they may not be for some reason we
will attempt to determine if we can't eliminate these settings.

So let us know about those settings, and also what the URL is (or at least
what protocol it is).

Also, what happens if you open that URL in IE7 itself? Do you see the same
problem.

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
Open IE7, goto
Tools->Internet Options->General tab->Browsing history->Settings

My apps settings for that instance should override that. However, in
the sense of being thorough I will test that this afternoon.
May I just state for the record if this is what recked my app, then my
app is done! Not going to have all of my browsing habits changed just
for one app. And this would really just be the icing on me getting
more and more pissed at Microsoft.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Also, what happens if you open that URL in IE7 itself? Do you see the same
problem.

I tried it with the URL in IE7 and yes, the same problem occured.
Unless I specifically hit refresh it would only show me the data
returned (whether it was old or not).

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
So let us know about those settings, and also what the URL is (or at least
what protocol it is).

Well I'd like to keep the URL private. It's just because it is my
company's server, and I just run it for myself to keep on top of
things. As for protocol, do you mean HTTP? If so that's what it is.
I am posting below **** my actual code (minus URL) to show you what I
do.

My C app calls a Perl script on my server using HTTP. And in my
defense, it worked beautifully, until that is I installed IE7.

Are there any thoughts???


***** I call this function with the URL as the first paramater, a
buffer to where to put the data, and the size of that buffer.

void ReadInternetFile (CHAR *script, CHAR *buf, int bSize)
{

HINTERNET hURL;
HINTERNET hInternetSession = NULL;
char cBuffer[1024];
DWORD dwBytesRead;

sizeofBuf = 0;
if(!hInternetSession)
hInternetSession = InternetOpen("Microsoft Internet Explorer",
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG, NULL, NULL, 0);
memset(buf, 0, bSize);

hURL = InternetOpenUrl(hInternetSession, script, NULL, 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);

if(hURL)
{
do{
dwBytesRead = 0;
memset(cBuffer, 0, sizeof(CHAR)*1024);
InternetReadFile( hURL, cBuffer, (DWORD)1024, &dwBytesRead);


if(dwBytesRead)
{
memcpy(buf + sizeofBuf, cBuffer, dwBytesRead);
sizeofBuf += dwBytesRead;
}
else
{
InternetCloseHandle(hInternetSession);
}
}while(dwBytesRead);
}
InternetCloseHandle(hInternetSession);
}

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

This is good news (believe it or not)! You have eliminated your code as the
cause for sure.

You should be able to get free email support for IE7 by following the
instructions on http://support.microsoft.com.

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Also, what happens if you open that URL in IE7 itself? Do you see the same
problem.

I tried it with the URL in IE7 and yes, the same problem occured.
Unless I specifically hit refresh it would only show me the data
returned (whether it was old or not).

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
So let us know about those settings, and also what the URL is (or at least
what protocol it is).

Well I'd like to keep the URL private. It's just because it is my
company's server, and I just run it for myself to keep on top of
things. As for protocol, do you mean HTTP? If so that's what it is.
I am posting below **** my actual code (minus URL) to show you what I
do.
My C app calls a Perl script on my server using HTTP. And in my
defense, it worked beautifully, until that is I installed IE7.
Are there any thoughts???
***** I call this function with the URL as the first paramater, a
buffer to where to put the data, and the size of that buffer.
void ReadInternetFile (CHAR *script, CHAR *buf, int bSize)
{
HINTERNET hURL;
HINTERNET hInternetSession = NULL;
char cBuffer[1024];
DWORD dwBytesRead;
sizeofBuf = 0;
if(!hInternetSession)
hInternetSession = InternetOpen("Microsoft Internet Explorer",
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG, NULL, NULL, 0);
memset(buf, 0, bSize);
hURL = InternetOpenUrl(hInternetSession, script, NULL, 0, 0,
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE|INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD);
if(hURL)
{
do{
dwBytesRead = 0;
memset(cBuffer, 0, sizeof(CHAR)*1024);
InternetReadFile( hURL, cBuffer, (DWORD)1024, &dwBytesRead);
if(dwBytesRead)
{
memcpy(buf + sizeofBuf, cBuffer, dwBytesRead);
sizeofBuf += dwBytesRead;
}
else
{
InternetCloseHandle(hInternetSession);
}
}while(dwBytesRead);
}
InternetCloseHandle(hInternetSession);
}

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
This is good news (believe it or not)! You have eliminated your code as the
cause for sure.
You should be able to get free email support for IE7 by following the
instructions on http://support.microsoft.com.

Sorry, no "Free" support there. There is NO WAY to contact them for
free and to let them know of this situation. This is the stuff that
makes me hate Microsoft.

There should be a way to report potential bugs WITHOUT having to pay
the $35 and then ask for a refund.

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

I apoligize for misinforming you. I too see that there is a $35 charge for
IE7 support.

What I am remembering is that you can have 2 free email support incidents
for Windows, but I see that this is limited to those who purchased Windows
from Microsoft, otherwise you must contact the computer manufacturer.

You might try posting in an Internet Explorer newsgroup now that you have
found it is reproducible in the browser.

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
This is good news (believe it or not)! You have eliminated your code as the
cause for sure.
You should be able to get free email support for IE7 by following the
instructions on http://support.microsoft.com.

Sorry, no "Free" support there. There is NO WAY to contact them for
free and to let them know of this situation. This is the stuff that
makes me hate Microsoft.
There should be a way to report potential bugs WITHOUT having to pay
the $35 and then ask for a refund.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
You might try posting in an Internet Explorer newsgroup now that you have
found it is reproducible in the browser.

Sorry for being so dense, but isn't this one of those groups? And if
there is a better newsgroup to post this in, please tell me which one
you think might be better.

I would do anything to get this into the right hands.

Sergio

[Vladimir Scherbina]

In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
You might try posting in an Internet Explorer newsgroup now that you have
found it is reproducible in the browser.

Sorry for being so dense, but isn't this one of those groups? And if
there is a better newsgroup to post this in, please tell me which one
you think might be better.
I would do anything to get this into the right hands.
Sergio

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

I'm sorry, where is that? It's not on my newgroup server.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

I'm sorry, where is that? It's not on my newgroup server.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

Ok I found it,m although it wasnt easy figuring out hwo to post. Now I
can't find my post, I have no idea if anyone sees it or what. My
dissatisfaction with Microsoft just grows by leaps and bounds.

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

Oh dear.

I also used this page (thanks Vladimir) to track down this Internet Explorer
7 support page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx

You could try calling the number, explaining you appear to have found a bug,
as validated by other community members, and ask if there is any free
support option to you for bugs. I don't know if it's the same number you
found that has a $35 charge, but it's worth a shot.

Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

Ok I found it,m although it wasnt easy figuring out hwo to post. Now I
can't find my post, I have no idea if anyone sees it or what. My
dissatisfaction with Microsoft just grows by leaps and bounds.

[Vladimir Scherbina]

I am sure that if they will treat it as a bug, then there is no need to pay
money ...
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Oh dear.
I also used this page (thanks Vladimir) to track down this Internet
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx
You could try calling the number, explaining you appear to have found a
bug, as validated by other community members, and ask if there is any free
support option to you for bugs. I don't know if it's the same number you
found that has a $35 charge, but it's worth a shot.
Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

Ok I found it,m although it wasnt easy figuring out hwo to post. Now I
can't find my post, I have no idea if anyone sees it or what. My
dissatisfaction with Microsoft just grows by leaps and bounds.

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

Yes, but what if they do not treat it as such for some reason we have not
anticipated? That would not make Sergio very happy :)

Paul

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
I am sure that if they will treat it as a bug, then there is no need to pay
money ...
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Oh dear.
I also used this page (thanks Vladimir) to track down this Internet
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx
You could try calling the number, explaining you appear to have found a
bug, as validated by other community members, and ask if there is any
free support option to you for bugs. I don't know if it's the same number
you found that has a $35 charge, but it's worth a shot.
Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

Ok I found it,m although it wasnt easy figuring out hwo to post. Now I
can't find my post, I have no idea if anyone sees it or what. My
dissatisfaction with Microsoft just grows by leaps and bounds.

[Vladimir Scherbina]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Yes, but what if they do not treat it as such for some reason we have not
anticipated? That would not make Sergio very happy :)
Paul

I am sure they will. IE7 is still unstable.

--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

[Vladimir Scherbina]

I will redirect this issue to programmers from wndp - they often help me in
resolving problems like this.
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)
http://msmvps.com/blogs/v_scherbina/

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Yes, but what if they do not treat it as such for some reason we have not
anticipated? That would not make Sergio very happy :)
Paul

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
I am sure that if they will treat it as a bug, then there is no need to
pay money ...
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Oh dear.
I also used this page (thanks Vladimir) to track down this Internet
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx
You could try calling the number, explaining you appear to have found a
bug, as validated by other community members, and ask if there is any
free support option to you for bugs. I don't know if it's the same
number you found that has a $35 charge, but it's worth a shot.
Paul

Post by S***@gmail.com

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
In addition, post this issue in connect.micrsoft.com/wndp

Ok I found it,m although it wasnt easy figuring out hwo to post. Now I
can't find my post, I have no idea if anyone sees it or what. My
dissatisfaction with Microsoft just grows by leaps and bounds.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
I will redirect this issue to programmers from wndp - they often help me in
resolving problems like this.

Thanks! What is WNDP?

[Vladimir Scherbina]

Post by S***@gmail.com
Thanks! What is WNDP?

WNDP is Windows Networking Developer Platform. This team develops all
network staff for windows. So they are the creators of wininet.

I already contacted them, and they're interested in this behavour. However,
they have a set of questions for you. Can you write to my e-mail address
(***@_REMOVE_SPAM_gmail.com) using your valid e-mail?

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Yes, but what if they do not treat it as such for some reason we have not
anticipated? That would not make Sergio very happy :)
Paul

Very true ;-) But I can't believe I am the first to experience this.

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by S***@gmail.com
My apps settings for that instance should override that. However, in
the sense of being thorough I will test that this afternoon.

Well now I am furious! Yes, this fixed it! Setting from within the
browser to check for a new page EVERYTIME I visit the page, makes my
own program work again.

So am a little lost, what's the difference between Check for New Page
Everytime OR Automatically ? Does this increase my bandwidth usage?
CPU usage?

The other major problem is this. Programmers use the wininet.lib
because it saves programming time. Microsoft provided a very simple
and easy to use set of functions to call HTTP and other web
requirements. Going by the fact that the majority of computers had IE
installed, this was great.

But if now, certain functions are overridden by the browser settings,
then this puts a serious kink in those function calls.

Am I right? Somebody tell me, please.

[Vladimir Scherbina]

Post by S***@gmail.com
So am a little lost, what's the difference between Check for New Page
Everytime OR Automatically ? Does this increase my bandwidth usage?
CPU usage?

It cancels the cache usage. So that your browser does not gather the content
of page from cache. Instead, it downloads the page from server each time
when you request it.

Post by S***@gmail.com
The other major problem is this. Programmers use the wininet.lib
because it saves programming time. Microsoft provided a very simple
and easy to use set of functions to call HTTP and other web
requirements. Going by the fact that the majority of computers had IE
installed, this was great.
But if now, certain functions are overridden by the browser settings,
then this puts a serious kink in those function calls.
Am I right? Somebody tell me, please.

You have some control over such things. You can use INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD (as
Paul mentioned) in your application to force downloading the data using the
wire instead of using the cache.

[Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]]

Vladimir,

He *is* using INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD, as well as INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE,
isn't he? So why didn't it override the setting in Internet Options?

Paul

Post by Vladimir Scherbina

Post by S***@gmail.com
So am a little lost, what's the difference between Check for New Page
Everytime OR Automatically ? Does this increase my bandwidth usage?
CPU usage?

It cancels the cache usage. So that your browser does not gather the
content of page from cache. Instead, it downloads the page from server
each time when you request it.

Post by S***@gmail.com
The other major problem is this. Programmers use the wininet.lib
because it saves programming time. Microsoft provided a very simple
and easy to use set of functions to call HTTP and other web
requirements. Going by the fact that the majority of computers had IE
installed, this was great.
But if now, certain functions are overridden by the browser settings,
then this puts a serious kink in those function calls.
Am I right? Somebody tell me, please.

You have some control over such things. You can use INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD
(as Paul mentioned) in your application to force downloading the data
using the wire instead of using the cache.
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

[Vladimir Scherbina]

Sorry. Today is bad day for my head, I just did not noticed that he is using
that flag.

I think the problem is caused by bug in IE7. Worth to check the
connect.microsoft.com.
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
Vladimir,
He *is* using INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD, as well as
INTERNET_FLAG_NO_CACHE_WRITE, isn't he? So why didn't it override the
setting in Internet Options?
Paul

Post by Vladimir Scherbina

Post by S***@gmail.com
So am a little lost, what's the difference between Check for New Page
Everytime OR Automatically ? Does this increase my bandwidth usage?
CPU usage?

It cancels the cache usage. So that your browser does not gather the
content of page from cache. Instead, it downloads the page from server
each time when you request it.

Post by S***@gmail.com
The other major problem is this. Programmers use the wininet.lib
because it saves programming time. Microsoft provided a very simple
and easy to use set of functions to call HTTP and other web
requirements. Going by the fact that the majority of computers had IE
installed, this was great.
But if now, certain functions are overridden by the browser settings,
then this puts a serious kink in those function calls.
Am I right? Somebody tell me, please.

You have some control over such things. You can use INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD
(as Paul mentioned) in your application to force downloading the data
using the wire instead of using the cache.
--
Vladimir (Windows SDK MVP)

[S***@gmail.com]

Post by Vladimir Scherbina
You have some control over such things. You can use INTERNET_FLAG_RELOAD (as
Paul mentioned) in your application to force downloading the data using the
wire instead of using the cache.

This is the problem, I do do that! I posted my function in a post
about an hour ago, you can see it there.

This is why I am so furious, this code used to work perfectly!

Sergio

[Vladimir Scherbina]

"Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]" <***@online.rochester.rr.com>
wrote in message

[...]

Post by Paul Baker [MVP, Windows - Networking]
It seems to me that lpszHeaders should be NULL, not "", or is this not
possible in Perl script?

It does not matter in this case, because OP passed zero as dwHeadersLength.
InternetOpenUrl relies upon the length of bufer before actually using it.