procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  Timer1.Enabled := false;
  Panel1.Visible := false;
  Panel1.BevelInner := bvNone;
  Panel1.BevelOuter := bvNone;
  Panel1.BorderStyle := bsSingle;
  Panel1.Color := clWhite;
  Button1.Hint := 'Hint test';
end;

procedure TForm1.ShowAHint(x: integer;
  y: integer;
  Caption: string;
  Duration: LongInt);
var
  dc: hdc;
  OldFont: hFont;
  pt: TSize;
  p: pChar;
begin
  if Timer1.Enabled <> false then
    Timer1.Enabled := false;
  Timer1.Enabled := false;
  if Panel1.Visible <> false then
    Panel1.Visible := false;
  if Caption = '' then
    exit;
  Panel1.Caption := caption;
  {Get the width of the caption string}
  GetMem(p, Length(Panel1.Caption) + 1);
  StrPCopy(p, Panel1.Caption);
  dc := GetDc(Panel1.Handle);
  OldFont := SelectObject(dc, Panel1.Font.Handle);
  GetTextExtentPoint32(dc, p, Length(Panel1.Caption), pt);
  SelectObject(dc, OldFont);
  ReleaseDc(Panel1.Handle, Dc);
  FreeMem(p, Length(Panel1.Caption) + 1);
  {Position and show the panel}
  Panel1.Left := x;
  Panel1.Top := y;
  Panel1.Width := pt.cx + 6;
  Panel1.Height := pt.cy + 2;
  Panel1.Visible := true;
  {Fire off the timer to hide the panel}
  Timer1.Interval := Duration;
  Timer1.Enabled := true;
end;

procedure TForm1.Timer1Timer(Sender: TObject);
begin
  if Panel1.Visible <> false then
    Panel1.Visible := false;
  Timer1.Enabled := false;
end;

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
  {Let the button repaint}
  Application.ProcessMessages;
  ShowAHint(Button1.Left,
    Button1.Top + Button1.Height + 6,
    Button1.Hint,
    2000);
end;