The following code adds a picture to a form.
It has worked for a long time on development systems and at client site.
The VFP version is 6.0 SP3

*******
local l_pict
l_pict=""
&& bring up the picture selection dialog
l_pict=getpict("bmp","BMP Name","Select BMP")
if !empty(l_pict)&& a file was picked
append general panels.p_pict from (l_pict)
replace p_path with l_pict
x=rat("\",p_path)
replace p_refto with substr(p_path,x+1)

ThisForm.pfrone.Pagpanel.olbPhoto.refresh()
endif

******

Today I used the same code for another project. All property settings are the same. When I tried to add a picture from the user interface the following error occured: "Critical application error Ole error code 0x800401fe: Application was launched but it didn't register a class factory." The error occured on the append general line.

At first I thought there was something wrong with the graphic files.
Oddly, the error does not occur every time but seems related to an increase in the length of the path. Additionally, when an image is appended it is distorted
AND the form displays the name of the file in the OLE area. The name of the file is not part of the visible image.

I thought this might be machine dependent - so I tried it on another system but the result was the same on a Win98 laptop and a Win95 desktop. Then I tried the version that has worked for several years. Images that were already stored in the table look fine. If I attempt to add an image the behavior described above occurs.

The only thing I can think of at the moment is that oour computing environment has changed recently. We are networked - Windows 2000, also added Outlook to the mix. I'm wondering if a file VFP requires for this has been replaced/updated.

I'll be hitting the Microsoft knowledgebase next, but would be grateful for anyone's help or suggestions.