How To Expedite the Visual Basic Support Process

MORE INFORMATION

1. Make a back-up copy of your program.
2. Follow the steps shown in the next section. After completing each step, check to see if the problem still exists.
3. When you have finished, copy the minimal program to a new project and check to see if the problem still exists.

Steps to Reduce Your Program to a Minimum

1. Identify and remove all forms, code modules, class modules, user controls, and property pages not needed to re-create the problem.
2. From the remaining forms, remove all controls and referenced objects not needed to re-create the problem.
3. From the Project menu, clear all References and Components not needed to re-create the problem.
   
   NOTE: Visual Basic prevents any control or reference used by the program from being removed.
4. Remove all unexecuted code from the remaining forms.
5. At this point, you may be able to remove additional controls that are not used by the remaining forms.
   
   NOTE: Try clearing additional References and Components, as described in step 3.
6. Remove pieces of code from the remaining procedures that do not appear to be related to the problem.
7. Try to remove pieces from the original project. For example, if the problem is related to database access, use another database to reproduce the problem, such as BIBLIO.MDB that ships with Visual Basic.
8. Repeat this process until you have the smallest possible program, then copy this program to a new project.