File in use error

[Christian Graus]

TheComputerMan wrote:

pict = Drawing.Image.FromFile(strFileName)

This locks the file. You need instead to create a new bitmap. open the file, copy the bitmap, and delete the original. At least, that's how I've got around this bug in GDI+ in the past.

Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

[Dave Kreskowiak]

This has been widely documented since the early days of .NET 1.0. The problem is you loaded the image file directly into an Image object in the PictureBox control. The Image object keeps the file locked for it's entire lifetime. The solution is to load the image using a FileStream, then pass the resulting stream to the construcotr of a new Bitmap object, then close the stream, and assign the Bitmap object to the Image property of the PictureBox.

A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
     2006, 2007, 2008

[TheComputerMan]

I tried that Christian (using pict2 = pict.clone and then disposing pict) but still the same problem. It obviously carries the info accross to the clone.

Friend Function GetAvatar(ByVal ContactID As Integer) As Drawing.Bitmap
    Dim pict As Drawing.Bitmap
    Dim pict2 As Drawing.Bitmap
    'This just gets the file name
    Dim strFilename As String = cDBHandler.ExtractContactImage(ContactID)

    Try

        If strFilename.Trim > "" Then
            pict = Drawing.Bitmap.FromFile(strFilename)
            pict2 = pict.Clone()
            pict.Dispose()
        Else
            pict2 = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey
        End If

    Catch ex As Exception

        pict2 = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey

    End Try
    Return pict2
End Function

Looks like I might have to try storing the pic in the database, but I did not want to do that as it is only an SQL Server 2005 Compact so space limited. Thanks anyway! (If you can think of any other way I would like to hear from you)

[TheComputerMan]

Thanks for the suggestion Jon_Boy but unfortunately that would impact my code. I will give it a go if all else fails however.

[TheComputerMan]

Thanks Dave. I think I know how to do that so I will give that a go.

[TheComputerMan]

Thanks a million Dave. It worked a treat! :) :) :) No need to reply to this. Just posting the code in case it helps someone else.

Friend Function GetAvatar(ByVal ContactID As Integer) As Drawing.Bitmap
    Dim pict As Drawing.Bitmap
    'This just gets the file name
    Dim strFilename As String = cDBHandler.ExtractContactImage(ContactID)

    Try

        If strFilename.Trim > "" Then
            Dim fs As New System.IO.FileStream(strFilename, IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            pict = Drawing.Bitmap.FromStream(fs)
            fs.Close()
        Else
            pict = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey
        End If

    Catch ex As Exception

        pict = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey

    End Try
    Return pict
End Function

Code above corrected: :) Thanks Fabio

modified on Saturday, January 3, 2009 10:20 AM

[Luc Pattyn]

TheComputerMan wrote:

pict2 = pict.Clone()

Christian is right, but you did not take his advise.

TheComputerMan wrote:

Bitmap.FromFile(strFilename)

This is what keeps your file locked. Hence make and use a copy of the IMAGE and dispose of the original right away.

TheComputerMan wrote:

any other way

No need. The one way is fine if executed properly. :)

Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles]

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Love, happiness and fewer bugs for 2009!

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[Jon_Boy]

Wasn't suggesting that as a perm. fix - just as a way for you now and in the future easily determine if and where your code was locking a file.

Any suggestions, ideas, or 'constructive criticism' are always welcome. "There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people." - Mr. Garrison

[Fabio V Silva]

Why do you need picbyteArray variable?! You're not using it...

[TheComputerMan]

Hi Fabio, Thanks for that. I had pulled the code from another program where I am using it to store the picture in SQL Server and forgot to take that bit out! Duh!! :rolleyes: The corrected code block is:

Friend Function GetAvatar(ByVal ContactID As Integer) As Drawing.Bitmap
    Dim pict As Drawing.Bitmap
    'This just gets the file name
    Dim strFilename As String = cDBHandler.ExtractContactImage(ContactID)

    Try

        If strFilename.Trim > "" Then
            Dim fs As New System.IO.FileStream(strFilename, IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            pict = Drawing.Bitmap.FromStream(fs)
            fs.Close()
        Else
            pict = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey
        End If

    Catch ex As Exception

        pict = My.Resources.nouserpic\_grey

    End Try
    Return pict
End Function

Sorry if that caused any confusion to anyone.