Is there a DLL call to find out if a window/system is "busy"?

[Chani]

I am automating test cases in a window that has varying response time (from none to 120 seconds).

This leads to problems when I try a ControlSend but the window is not ready to receive it...

This is what I have tried

- WinExistWinActive: doesn't help because the window is there and active, it's just not responding

- While loop waits for a change in the window (like a disabled button). Some of my windows show no changes except for the hour glass icon on the mouse.

- Sleep: can't be used because of the big varying response time.

I'm sure there's a call deep inside the Windows API that checks if the system is currently busy (like what changes the mouse icon .

Anyone know what it is?

Searched the forums and tried msdn but got scared and hid under my desk..

Thx!

Chani

[SmOke_N]

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/m...955(VS.85).aspx

[dabus]

What about this?

[Chani]

What about this?

Thx for the suggestion but the thread is not marked as Non Responsive (there's no change in the title of the window).

It's still processing...for a long long time.

[Chani]

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/m...955(VS.85).aspx

Hey Smoke,

I'm not familiar with Window's api so this is not clear to me.

The link you posted to the TranslateMessage function says

"The TranslateMessage function translates virtual-key messages into character messages. The character messages are posted to the calling thread's message queue, to be read the next time the thread calls the GetMessage or PeekMessage function."

How would I use that to find out if the window is busy processing data or not?

Thx!