How do I read an *IDN? query?

New to VB, I get a blank form when I attempt a *IDN?

Request. Am I doing something errant here? the instrument understands
the commented out Output configuration line. thanks

Private Sub Form_Load()
With MSComm1
.CommPort = 1
.Settings = "9600,N,8,1"
.PortOpen = True
.InputMode = comInputModeText
'.Output = ":conf:volt:ac" & Chr(13) 'this works , sets meter to ac volts
.Output = "*IDN?" & Chr(13) 'request what device is this
str$ = .Input
str = str$ 'will this print out the *IDN? request
Print str
End With
End Sub