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VB.net Auto Restart Application

I have a code here that will start a process and when pressed again it will kill the current process and start a new one(restart).

Private Games As New Dictionary(Of String, Process)

Private Sub GS1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles GS1.Click
Dim gameservercfg As String = GameServer1.Text
Dim Key As String = gameservercfg.ToUpper

If Games.ContainsKey(Key) Then
If Not Games(Key).HasExited Then
Games(Key).Kill()
End If
Games.Remove(Key)
End If

Dim psi As New ProcessStartInfo
psi.FileName = System.IO.Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), "GameServer.exe")
psi.WorkingDirectory = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(psi.FileName)
psi.Arguments = gameservercfg
Games.Add(Key, System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(psi))
End Sub

What I want to do is, how to make it auto restart when that gameserver.exe crashes by itself?
Thank you!

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mike Tomlinson

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Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Hi Mike, won't this solution will restart everything even you close the .exe in purpose?

Mike Tomlinson

That's true. The Exited() event will fire when that process has exited, regardless of how it occurred.

Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Is there a way to have a button that will kill the instance and prevent it from starting?
Or just close the app and close the .exe which is an easy temporary fix for the problem?

Mike Tomlinson

If you want to Kill() it without restarting it, then either remove the handler, or setup a boolean variable that you toggle before killing it, then check the variable and only restart when appropriate.

Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Thanks Mike!

Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Hey there Mike, just another question. Right now, It restarts automatically when closing the .exe and when clicking the button, it will start the .exe, and when you click again, it will open the same .exe which it shouldn't be. Something like when you hit the button at first run, it will convert the button to kill the process so the program will auto restart it.
How can I do that when you click the button again, it will restart as well? I hope you understand what I mean. Just ask me here if you need more explanation.

Mike Tomlinson

I think this is what you're asking for...repeat the below code for each Button/TextBox pair:

Public Class frmProcesses

    Private WithEvents P1 As Process

    Private Sub frmProcesses_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        TextBox1.Text = "C:\Users\mikes\Documents\SomeFile.txt"
    End Sub

    Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        If Not IsNothing(P1) Then
            Dim tmpProc As Process = P1
            P1 = Nothing
            tmpProc.CloseMainWindow()
            Exit Sub
        End If

        Dim psi As New ProcessStartInfo
        psi.FileName = System.IO.Path.Combine("C:\Windows\System32", "Notepad.exe")
        psi.WorkingDirectory = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(psi.FileName)
        psi.Arguments = TextBox1.Text

        P1 = System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(psi)
        P1.EnableRaisingEvents = True
    End Sub

    Private Sub P1_Exited(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles P1.Exited
        P1.Start() ' restart it
    End Sub

End Class

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Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

I really appreciate it Mike! It works flawless. I can't put it as another solution?

Mike Tomlinson

I wouldn't worry about it. Anyone reading the thread will be able to see the different solutions. Thanks, though.

Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Hey there, is there any way I can put a checkbox to make the auto restart optional? I know i'll just make the raisingevent turn to false but whenever I try to start it with checkbox checked then i unchecked it while the process is running it's still restarting itself, but when I start it with the unchecked checkbox its working fine.

Mike Tomlinson

then i unchecked it while the process is running it's still restarting itself

You'd need to use the CheckBox in the exited event as well:

    Private Sub P1_Exited(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles P1.Exited
        If cbRestart1.Checked Then
            P1.Start() ' restart it
        End If
    End Sub

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Kerr Heilee Almario

ASKER

Fixed. Thank you.