Link Problem with Kernel32.lib, Psapi.lib, etc.

QDanny01001

Hey Guys,

I am running into an odd problem. Usually I peruse the forums so that I can figure out how to do things, this time I can't figure it out.

I was running a Console in C (opened by a GUI in Qt) via a process with startDetached so that the Console window would appear (this way the user can enter in input, etc.)

I eventually figured out that using startDetached relinquishes any form of control in Qt over the Console window. So I cannot see when it closes! (I need to see when it closes so that I can load its output into the GUI)

So then I decided to use the Windows API to try and see if the Console was running (I just keep checking and checking in an infinite loop, in theory it stinks but it should work). I think I got the API code right:

@bool isRunning(std::string pName)
{
unsigned long aProcesses[1024], cbNeeded, cProcesses;
if(!EnumProcesses(aProcesses, sizeof(aProcesses), &cbNeeded))
return true;

    cProcesses = cbNeeded / sizeof(unsigned long);
    for(unsigned int i = 0; i < cProcesses; i++)
    {
            if(aProcesses[i] == 0)
                    continue;

            HANDLE hProcess = OpenProcess(PROCESS_QUERY_INFORMATION | PROCESS_VM_READ, 0, aProcesses[i]);
            WCHAR buffer[50];
            GetModuleBaseName(hProcess, 0, buffer, 50);
            CloseHandle(hProcess);

            //convert from wide char to narrow char array
                char charray[50];
                char DefChar = ' ';
                WideCharToMultiByte(CP_ACP,0,buffer,-1, charray,50,&DefChar, NULL);

                //A std:string  using the char* constructor.
                std::string newbuf(charray);

            //std::string newbuf = static_cast<std::string>(buffer);
            if(pName == newbuf)
                    return true;
    }
    return false;

}@

However, when I link the library in QtCreator by going to qmake and adding += C:\path... \psapi.lib or \Kernel32.lib, I get the following error...

c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Lib\x64\Kernel32.lib:1: error: Parse Error ('!<arch>')

I have absolutely no idea why this is happening. If you guys could give me some help I would appreciate it greatly! Maybe there is a solution that does not require me to use Windows API...

Thanks,
Dan

vezprog

Does your .pro look like this?

@
win32:LIBS += -luser32
win32:LIBS += -lpsapi
win32:LIBS += -lkernel32
@

QDanny01001

Thanks for the response.

No. I don't have those in my .pro at all.

I tried adding them...
@FORMS += mxcolwindow.ui

win32:LIBS += -luser32
win32:LIBS += -lpsapi
win32:LIBS += -lkernel32@

It still doesn't compile.

Also, if I remove my previous reference to the Kernel32.lib, it still does not compile.

MuldeR

[quote author="QDanny01001" date="1337797930"]However, when I link the library in QtCreator by going to qmake and adding += C:\path... \psapi.lib or \Kernel32.lib, I get the following error...

c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Lib\x64\Kernel32.lib:1: error: Parse Error ('!<arch>') [/quote]

Looks like the compiler doesn't recognize the library format. What compiler are you using? MSVC or MinGW/GCC?

If it's MinGW/GCC, then static libraries (including "import" libraries) should have a .a extension.

Also you will find "libkernel32.a" and friends in MinGW/GCC's "lib" folder. No need for the Microsoft Platform SDK.

And in case you are using MSVC, are you sure that "x64" is the correct choice?

QDanny01001

bq. Looks like the compiler doesn’t recognize the library format. What compiler are you using? MSVC or MinGW/GCC?
If it’s MinGW/GCC, then static libraries (including “import” libraries) should have a .a extension.
Also you will find “libkernel32.a” and friends in MinGW/GCC’s “lib” folder. No need for the Microsoft Platform SDK.
And in case you are using MSVC, are you sure that “x64” is the correct choice?

I have tried multiple libraries besides "x64" etc. I think there are three located in the program files\visual studio folder. They all gave the same error.

I did try using (from memory..) libpsapi.a to link to as well because I saw a suggestion somewhere to link to that library in Qt for Api's. It didn't work. I will try the "libkernel32.a" though, I haven't tried it, so hopefully it will work.

I hope it isn't a compiler issue. I am using QtCreator. I have never tried compiling in MSVC, but if all else fails I may have to give it a try.

MuldeR

I have to admit that I usually use VisualStudio.

But from what I know, the QtCreator uses MinGW/GCC. Preferably the version that is bundled with Qt SDK.

I assume you use MinGW/GCC, which means linking the .lib's intended for MSVC is the problem.

Please try linking against libkernel32.a, libpsapi.a and so on from your MinGW installations "lib" folder.

Do note that the GCC parameter "-lfoo" is sufficient to link in the library "libfoo.a". So you'd use "-lkernel32".

There should be no need to add the path to the .a file, because GCC looks into its "lib" folder by default.

QDanny01001

Still gives the same errors.

Looks like it is time to do this in MSVC...