C++ Win API SendMessage Function

I use Borland C++ Builder 3, Win 200 Pro.

From within my program I use SendMessage to click a command button in another application. This works and another window pops up, this new window has focus, from within this new window i wont to get the handle for an edit box.

The problem is after the new window pops up my program pauses, is there any way i can return conrol to my program to continue searching for this control, am i missing a function call?

code below..

Thanks.

Code:

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <vcl.h>
#include <Windows.h>
#pragma hdrstop

#include "my_IP_suite.h"

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------

#pragma package(smart_init)
#pragma resource "*.dfm"
TForm1 *Form1;

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------

__fastcall TForm1::TForm1(TComponent* Owner)
: TForm(Owner)
{
HWND hWnd; //window handle
HWND hBut; //control handle

// get handle of window
hWnd = FindWindow(NULL, "Reminder");

if(! hWnd) exit(0); //if window don't found, exit program

//move through controls, get handle of command button
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, NULL, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TButton", NULL);

//click command button
SendMessage(hBut, BM_CLICK, NULL, NULL);

/*program pauses here, "Registration" window has focus, but program wont
continue */

//title of new window
hWnd = FindWindow(NULL, "Registration");

if(! hWnd) exit(0); //if window don't found, exit program

//move through controls, get handle of edit box
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, NULL, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TButton", NULL);
}

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use PostMessage in place of SendMessage, then maybe use a timer function to setup a small delay

Thanks that worked heaps better.
That opened the new window, but now generated another error.

The new window contains two comamnd buttons and 2 edit boxes

This is where i try to assgin the handles:

Code:

//move through controls, get handle of LAST edit box

hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, NULL, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TButton", NULL);
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TEdit", NULL);  //returns NULL
hBut = FindWindowEx(hWnd, hBut, "TEdit", NULL);

The handles return correctly for the 2 buttons, but the first call to FindWindowEx returns NULL.

The order of the controls on form :
starting a z - TButton, TButton, TEdit, TEdit

Any idea on why the call isn't picking up the edit boxes?

Thanks.

try setting a SetTimer with a second or two interval and on the WM_TIMER message proccess the FindWindowEx functions. The reason you are getting an error is because your function reaches the FindWindowEx function before your other window is fully created.