Sorry this isn't really an answer to your question. How did you manage to get the map to load up in your vb.net form. I've been trying to get a map to load into an MDIParent form but cant seem to get it to work.

I used the referencing method in the past and it works just fine but as with anything like this it can be a little slow on a low end machine. Also I found the users tended to find it annoying having to switch between two screens (ie. vb form and mappoint window)