John -
One thing I've used successfully in the past is at the application object layer - adding in a custom class that included a timer object - and my timer checked for file-based updates to the application [and not program inactivity] .. So the application object held a top-level reference, and was always available and visible to every other object.
hth - regards [Bill]
>Patrick,
> thanks for the input. You are correct in saying the real problem is with finding a way to reset the timer. As far as the base form, all forms (allmost 200) come from one of two base class forms. The problem is that we use the keypress event in most of them to handle special menus and because of that, using the keypress event in the base form would mean I would have to make sure there is a dodefault() in every one. I'm going to try checking the current object. I found nothing that would work in the _screen object.
>
>John.
>
>
>
>>> ... since it is Global to all.
>>> HTH,
>>> Irv.
>>
>>yes, that deals with the global access to the timer, but he
>>still has the issue of resetting the time when any "activity"
>>occurs in any of his forms.
>>
>>>I would also have to go back through all my screens and make sure I have
>>> dodefault() in any that I use the keypress in. (And that is a whole lot
>>> of screens, over 150.)
>>
>>at this stage, you would really be fortunate if you had derived your
>>forms from a base class that you had in turn derived from the standard
>>form class, but it doesn't sound like you did. (i hardly ever do either).
>>i know that's not much help.
>>
>>is there any way to attach events to the _SCREEN object ? sort of a
>>retrofit ?