Thanks Jan for taking a look at my code, from what i have posted the code line with the problem is pointed out if you look a little closer. I was just copying what your book says word for word and i did not change anything. I think the data receive event is being triggered and the accessformMarshal part is what is given the problem. you can take a look at my code again. A simple example showing how to set up and activate the receive event is just sufficient, your example you refered me to has a whole lot of code for tiding up that makes it a bit difficult to follow. Just writing the delegate and addhandler part is just sufficient. perhaps how the code should flow should have been put together in your book. You can compare my code with what is in your book and see that i have not made any change at all.