_WinAPI_RedrawWindow does not seem to work in Windows 8.1

[ahha]

Upgraded to Windows 8.1 and dual monitor.
Have a program that uses _WinAPI_RedrawWindow that does not seem to work.  Tried example in help file and it does not erase cross.  See notation below.  What am I doing wrong?

(forgot how to include code in a separate window - sorry)

#include <WindowsConstants.au3>
#include <WinAPI.au3>

ShowCross(@DesktopWidth / 2, @DesktopHeight / 2, 20, 2, 0xFF, 3000)

Func ShowCross($start_x, $start_y, $length, $width, $color, $time)
    Local $hDC, $hPen, $obj_orig

    $hDC = _WinAPI_GetWindowDC(0) ; DC of entire screen (desktop)
    $hPen = _WinAPI_CreatePen($PS_SOLID, $width, $color)
    $obj_orig = _WinAPI_SelectObject($hDC, $hPen)

    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x - $length, $start_y, $start_x - 5, $start_y) ; horizontal left
    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x + $length, $start_y, $start_x + 5, $start_y) ; horizontal right
    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x, $start_y - $length, $start_x, $start_y - 5) ; vertical up
    ;    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + $length, $start_x, $start_y + 5) ; vertical down
    _WinAPI_MoveTo($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + $length)
    _WinAPI_LineTo($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + 5)

    Sleep($time) ; show cross over screen for defined seconds

    ; refresh desktop (clear cross)
    _WinAPI_RedrawWindow(_WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow(), 0, 0, $RDW_INVALIDATE + $RDW_ALLCHILDREN)    ;<<<<<< does not seem to work

    ; clear resources
    _WinAPI_SelectObject($hDC, $obj_orig)
    _WinAPI_DeleteObject($hPen)
    _WinAPI_ReleaseDC(0, $hDC)
EndFunc   ;==>ShowCross

Edited April 23, 2014 by ahha

[Unc3nZureD]

Try this one:

#include <WindowsConstants.au3>
#include <WinAPI.au3>

ShowCross(@DesktopWidth / 2, @DesktopHeight / 2, 20, 2, 0xFF, 3000)

Func ShowCross($start_x, $start_y, $length, $width, $color, $time)
    Local $hDC, $hPen, $obj_orig

    $hDC = _WinAPI_GetWindowDC(0) ; DC of entire screen (desktop)
    $hPen = _WinAPI_CreatePen($PS_SOLID, $width, $color)
    $obj_orig = _WinAPI_SelectObject($hDC, $hPen)

    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x - $length, $start_y, $start_x - 5, $start_y) ; horizontal left
    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x + $length, $start_y, $start_x + 5, $start_y) ; horizontal right
    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x, $start_y - $length, $start_x, $start_y - 5) ; vertical up
    ;    _WinAPI_DrawLine($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + $length, $start_x, $start_y + 5) ; vertical down
    _WinAPI_MoveTo($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + $length)
    _WinAPI_LineTo($hDC, $start_x, $start_y + 5)

    Sleep($time) ; show cross over screen for defined seconds

    ; refresh desktop (clear cross)
    _WinAPI_RedrawWindow(WinGetHandle("[active]"), 0, 0, BitOR($RDW_INVALIDATE, $RDW_ALLCHILDREN)) ;<<<<<< does not seem to work

    ; clear resources
    _WinAPI_SelectObject($hDC, $obj_orig)
    _WinAPI_DeleteObject($hPen)
    _WinAPI_ReleaseDC(0, $hDC)
EndFunc   ;==>ShowCross

Edited April 23, 2014 by Unc3nZureD

[ahha]

Unc3nZureD, - No difference.  It clearly is an issue with _WinAPI_RedrawWindow

I'm wondering if in Windows 8.1 the desktop or "active window" is somehow different.

Can anyone else run these scripts and verify behaviour? 

[ahha]

Okay found a similiar thread but with a rectangle issue here:

It looks like calling _WinAPI_RedrawWindow like this takes care of the desktop

_WinAPI_RedrawWindow(ControlGetHandle("[Class:WorkerW]", "", "SysListView321"), 0, 0, $RDW_INVALIDATE + $RDW_ALLCHILDREN)

Malkey notes this works for windows 7 and it also seems to work for windows 8.1, as does this

_WinAPI_RedrawWindow(ControlGetHandle("[Class:SysListView32]", "", "SysListView321"), 0, 0, $RDW_INVALIDATE + $RDW_ALLCHILDREN)

I'll check it out furhter and report back - looks like _WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow() or getting the handle to the desktop may be the issue.

[UEZ]

Well, if you compare the handles than you will see that they are different:
 

#include <WinAPI.au3>

ConsoleWrite(_WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow() & @CRLF)
ConsoleWrite(WinGetHandle("[active]") & @CRLF)

That means _WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow() isn't working for Win8. Why? Good question. MSDN needs to be asked...

 

Br,

UEZ

[Unc3nZureD]

I've got Windows 8.1 and the script I posted works perfectly for me. That's why I posted it

Edited April 24, 2014 by Unc3nZureD

[ahha]

Strange.  Okay here's what my AU3Info shows for the 8.1 desktop.  Unc3nZureD - what does your's show?

 

AU3Info.pdf

AU3Info.pdf

[Unc3nZureD]

Anyways, why do you sctrictly only want to refresh the desktop? I mean any application can be over the desktop, which means it won't be refreshed (or am I wrong?)

Edited April 24, 2014 by Unc3nZureD

[ahha]

Thanks - AU3Info agrees. 

For me all applications seem to get refreshed not just the desktop.

Since it's working for me, I consider the matter solved.