2 instances of program running, but only want one image in the system tray???

Hello

  I don't know if i understood you well, but if you want only one image in system tray, when u run ur program check it there are any instance, if it's the first instanece place an image in the system tray, if there are any instance, that's mean there's one already and u don't want to add another one

Mohammed

But there may be 3 instances without any icons in the system tray.  The only time I put an image in the system tray is if certain things happen.  What I want to avoid is all 3 instances putting 3 images in the system tray.

How do I look in the system tray for a certain image and tie that back to a certain program?

But there may be 3 instances without any icons in the system tray.  The only time I put an image in the system tray is if certain things happen.  What I want to avoid is all 3 instances putting 3 images in the system tray.

How do I look in the system tray for a certain image and tie that back to a certain program?

The instances have to communicate. I think JclAppInst from the Jedi Code Library (http://delphi-jedi.org pare 'Code Library') could help.
One instance (the first one would be a logical choice) shows the tray icon, the others stay hidden and signal the master instance to show the icon if needed.

Use CreateMutex to check if another instance already put an icon in the tray:

var mutex: Cardinal;


  mutex := CreateMutex(nil, true, 'icon_in_tray');
  if mutex <> 0 then
    // put the icon in tray


When you remove the icon from the tray, close the mutex handle to allow anther instance to put an icon in the tray:

  CloseHandle(mutex);

Little mistake

mutex := CreateMutex(nil, true, 'icon_in_tray');
 if mutex <> 0 then
   if GetLastError <> ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS then
     // put the icon in tray

Here's a full examle:


unit unit1;

interface

uses Windows, Classes, Forms, Messages, Controls, ShellAPI, Menus, SysUtils,
     StdCtrls;

type
  TForm1 = class(TForm)
    PopupMenu1: TPopupMenu;
    ShowForm1: TMenuItem;
    Exit1: TMenuItem;
    procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
    procedure WndProc(var Message: TMessage); override;
    procedure Showform1Click(Sender: TObject);
    procedure FormDestroy(Sender: TObject);
    procedure Exit1Click(Sender: TObject);
  private
    { Private declarations }
    mutex: Cardinal;
  public
    { Public declarations }
    IconNotifyData : TNotifyIconData;
  end;

  TFunc = function(dwProcessID, dwType: DWORD): DWORD; stdcall;

var
  Form1: TForm1;

implementation

{$R *.DFM}

// Catch the Minimize event before the application
procedure TForm1.WndProc(var Message: TMessage);
var
  p : TPoint;
begin
  case Message.Msg of
    WM_SYSCOMMAND:
      case Message.WParam and $FFF0 of
        SC_MINIMIZE: begin
          // Hide the Mainform
          Hide;
          // Bail out here, so the Application dont starts to show the form
          exit;
        end;
        SC_RESTORE: ;
      end;
    WM_USER + 1:
      case Message.lParam of
        WM_RBUTTONDOWN: begin
          GetCursorPos(p);
          PopupMenu1.Popup(p.x, p.y);
        end;
        WM_LBUTTONDOWN: begin
          Show;
        end;
      end;
  end;
  inherited ;
end;

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  mutex := CreateMutex(nil, true, 'icon_in_tray');
  if mutex <> 0 then
    if (GetLastError <> ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS) then
    begin
      //Now set up the IconNotifyData structure so that it receives
      //the window messages sent to the application and displays
      //the application's tips
      with IconNotifyData do begin
        hIcon := Application.Icon.Handle;
        uCallbackMessage := WM_USER + 1;
        cbSize := sizeof(IconNotifyData);
        Wnd := Handle;
        uID := 100;
        uFlags := NIF_MESSAGE + NIF_ICON + NIF_TIP;
      end;

      //Copy the Application's Title into the tip for the icon
      StrPCopy(IconNotifyData.szTip, Application.Title);

      //Add the Icon to the system tray and use the
      //the structure and its values
      Shell_NotifyIcon(NIM_ADD, @IconNotifyData);
    end
    else
      CloseHandle(mutex);
end;


// Shows the form when user click on TrayIcon
procedure TForm1.Showform1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
  // Show the Mainform.
  Show;
  // Put the form in top of all others.
  SetForegroundWindow(Self.handle);
end;

procedure TForm1.FormDestroy(Sender: TObject);
begin
  if mutex <> 0 then
  begin
    Shell_NotifyIcon(NIM_DELETE, @IconNotifyData);
    CloseHandle(mutex);
  end;
end;

procedure TForm1.Exit1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
  Close;
end;

end.

Thanks Epsylon,

But how do I pass the icon in the tray as a PChar.  I have tried PChar(strayReadyToPrint.Icon.GetNamePath) without success.

Pass the icon in the tray as a PChar?????

yep that is what CreateMutex is looking for.  Anyways, I figured it out, but now I get an external exception when I try to call CloseHandle....

ok, i am with you now.  but I still have a problem with it;  mutex never gets set back to 0, do I need to set this to 0 when removing the icon?  I currently get an exception in the main else when closing the handle.  Here is sample code.  
  if (condition is met to put add icon to tray) then
  begin
    mutex := CreateMutex(nil, true, 'READY TO PRINT ICON');
    if mutex <> 0 then
      if GetLastError <> ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS then
        strayReadyToPrint.Active := True  //adds icon
      else
        CloseHandle (mutex);  //remove handle
  end
  else
  begin
    strayReadyToPrint.Active := False;  //removes icon
    if mutex <> 0 then
      CloseHandle(mutex);
  end;

Epsylon,

ok, i figured it out.  Because I have the above function tied to a timer event, I need to do it a little differently.  But I am still using CreateMutex.

Thanks for the help Epsylon.  It works awesome.  Post an answer and I will accept with high grade.

Thanks again.......

Rick

Thanks Epsylon

Oh well, I was about to look at your code  :o)

Thank you too.


Btw, setting mutex:=0 after CloseHandle is a wise idea if you re-use the mutex handle.

yep, that is exactly what I did, plus a few other minor changes to take in account the timer.