>Yes - your main program can check to see if the launcher is running upon startup, then close it if it is. There are several methods to close it (create a temp file detected by the splash prog, send commands through messaging, or just a windows close command) - and if you look around for techniques to prevent a program from running more than once you'll see how to detect if another program is running (and what it's ID is).
>
>Basically, your loader program will just keep the splash screen open until it's shut down - I hope it's entertaining and informative!
>
Hi hi ... you haven't seen it, now have you :)...

As a matter of fact the main reason for the launcher's existence is that it checks on the server if a newer version of the "launched" application is available. If there is a new version, it is copied to the local folder and then well ... launched.

I'll have a shot at your "file" alternative. Might just work for me. The launcher creates a file and remains "splashed" until the "launched" app deletes it, through a kind of a polling loop right?

Thanks ...

Marc