Eliminate label flicker in On_Timer event?

[mp3boss]

I am updating a string in the format MM:SS every second using the
On_Timer event in Access97 by changing the caption of a label.

Even though I'm using 8point text, the box sometimes flickers
(transparent background changes to light-gray before reverting back to
transparent). The text is drawn on top of a rectangle that is on top
of a form that may have an embedded picture. If I create a very-simple
form without all of these elements, I don't seem to get flicker...but
once I have a number of overlaid elements I get enough flicker to be
distracting.

Is there anything I can do? Even showing just the seconds counter will
flicker (0...9), and trying to use an image control doesn't seem to
help either.

Is there an ocx that would eliminate the flicker? Since not every
update causes flicker, is there a way to make sure that the screen is
updated based on the retrace? Using Application.echo TRUE/FALSE to
control redraw doesn't help -- it makes the entire screen flicker.

Thanks,
John