asked on

Tracking COM reference counts

Hi Experts,

Does anyone know of a tool that tracks COM reference counts? I have a 3rd party DirectShow object that does not clean up properly as well as an (unrelated) ActiveX control that wont shutdown properly, I could do with something that can be constrained to sets of class instances.

Any ideas?

cheers

Dave

Daij-Djan

boundschecker

_ys_

The return values from AddRef and Release normally provide an indication on the internal reference counts. Not always accurate though. But if Release was to return 0, it's a good sign that things are Ok.

Daij-Djan

that is no real tracker though.
you can check the refcount at some points but not monitor it...

DavidElliman

ASKER

Thanks everyone

I know about the AddRef and Release, if it was my code I would reimplement IUnknown but it's third party so I just wanted a simple utility to check.

I've installed boundschecker (which I haven't used for some years) and will try that.

_ys_

>> that is no real tracker though.
>> you can check the refcount at some points but not monitor it...
I totally agree. Just unwilling to spend money.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Daij-Djan

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

DavidElliman

ASKER

I know, thanks, I'm using it now :-)

bcladd

No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA. I will
leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is:

Answered: Points to Daij-Djan

Please leave any comments here within the next four days.

Experts: Silence means you don't care. Grading recommendations are made in light
of the posted grading guidlines (https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hi73).

PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!

-bcl (bcladd)
EE Cleanup Volunteer