I have a form that retrieves data from an SQL Server and loads the data to a crystal report and show the user the report on a crystal report viewer object on the same form. Depending on the size of the data to be retrieve this process can take up to almost 20-30 seconds.

Just to let the user know that the application is processing I created another form with a message and light animation, which I'd like to display before retrieving the data and unloaded when the report gets loaded.

However, when I loaded the form all I get to see is the frame of the form. The contents of the form do not get shown till just before the report is displayed! My guess is that this happens because while the form is loading the application begins retrieving the data and becuase of the processing weight of this it hogs all the CPU processing!

Is there a way for me to completely show the form before allowing the data retrieval process to fire?

Thanx! in advance!!!