IDEA: Windows Desktop Refresh Message Eater

[Ralf Maximus]

Here's my issue...

I have an ill-behaved application that I am forced to use, and one of its annoying bugs is that whenever it loads data into its grid, it fires a refresh message at the Windows desktop for EVERY ROW.  So, if I wish to view 1000 records, the Windows desktop goes nuts with refreshing -- icons flicker, child windows redraw.  1000 times in a row.

Needless to say, performance is in the toilet during this time, and I am almost having siezures from my strobing desktop.

Would it be feasible to have a tiny tray applet that, when turned ON, intercepts and disposes of all refresh messages sent to the Windows desktop?  Obviously, if left activated severe cosmetic issues would result... but I anticipate using this hootchie briefly, like only during times when I know my app's grid is going to load records.  So I'd double-click the thingie to disable Windows desktop refresh, then double-click it again to re-enable it.

Any ideas?

[skrommel]

Try Freeze!

Press F1 to freeze/unfreeze the active window (stop it redrawing).

Skrommel

Code

;Freeze.ahk
; Press F1 to freeze/unfreeze the active window (stop it redrawing)
;Skrommel @ 2008

#SingleInstance,Force
OnExit,EXIT
DetectHiddenWindows, on 

F1::
If locked<>1
  Gosub,LOCK
Else
  Gosub,UNLOCK
Return


LOCK:
winid:=WinExist("A")
SendMessage,0xB,0,0,,ahk_id %winid% 
locked=1
Return

UNLOCK:
SendMessage,0xB,1,0,,ahk_id %winid% 
locked=0
DllCall("RedrawWindow",UInt,0,UInt,0,UInt,0,UInt,0x101)
Return

EXIT:
Gosub,UNLOCK
ExitApp

[Ralf Maximus]

OOooh, cool!  Thanks, skrommel.

I'll try it and see... but the underlying issue is that the active window is firing refresh event messages at Windows handle=0 (the desktop).  Would freezing the parent window stop it from broadcasting refresh messages?

[skrommel]

Try replacing

Code

LOCK:
winid:=WinExist("A")

with

Code

LOCK:
winid:=DllCall("GetDesktopWindow")

Skrommel