RegAsm for the library of classes used in the VB6 application

Question

To be short and precise, I built a C # class library that is COM visible and registered for COM Interop. I put together a library that led to the generation of DLL files and .tlb files.

I have another machine that runs the VB6 application. So, I copied the .dll and .tlb files to the C: / Windows / system32 folder on the computer. Then I registered these files using the following:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\RegAsm C:\Windows\system32\TestClass.dll /tlb:TestClass.tlb 

After the files were successfully registered, I added the project link to the Test.tlb file from my VB6 application, and then tried to call the method in my new reference class as follows:

 Dim myObject As TestNamespace.TestClass Set myObject = New TestNamespace.TestClass MsgBox (myObject.TestMethod()) 

This does not work and I get Automation -2147024894 error.

I read that I should not install the dll in a private folder such as system32. I must either register with the GAC, or I must register elsewhere using the "/ codebase" option:

 C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\RegAsm C:\TestClass.dll /tlb:TestClass.tlb /codebase 

Is there a reason I should not use system32? The previous developers who worked on this project put the build files used by this VB6 project into system32 and there were no problems.

When I register my dll at the location of system32, I get an Automation error message. When I register my dll elsewhere (i.e. C: /), the method call to my class library from VB6 works as expected. What gives?

I should mention that we will NOT use the GAC to register DLLs. It is as it is.

Any help is appreciated.

Mike

Answer 1

I had no problems using regasm for dll in system32. I always use the / Codebase switch, which puts the tlb location in the registry, so VB6 will not get confused.

See the MSDN page for more information.