>It will be worth building the app afresh without the "runtime packages"
>option. This at least will eliminate the possibility that the Windows
>common controls runtimes are causing the visual breakages. You get bigger
>executables but they are less vulnerable to the eddies and currents of
>Microsoft library changes. (IMO, the runtime packages option has been a
>crock since day one.)

Ok. I think I got it this time. Much bigger EXE. Same result,
though. Buttons are still invisible. Sigh. Here it is:

http://www.jmmsoftware.com/UpdateBarTest.zip

-Joe