XP64, WB 5.01.006 - No Explorer (taskbar, desktop icons)

Please help!

from Stardock Forums

Hi everyone,


I just reinstalled XP64 (my hard-drive was dangerously bloated), updated WB through SDC and installed it as usual. When the computer rebooted I had a WB wallpaper, but no start-menu, no system tray, no taskbar and no desktop icons. Task manager says explorer isn't running, and I can launch pretty much every program on the PC from 'New Task' EXCEPT explorer.exe - when I try to load it, CPU load increases for a few seconds but then nothing. It doesn't show up in the processes list and I don't get the windows shell.


This happens whatever theme I select in WBconfig (which I can launch via taskman). Any programs I do launch (taskman, SDC etc) are properly skinned. If I unload windowsblinds through WBConfig, I can launch explorer through taskman and get the Windows Shell back.


I've tried various video drivers, and wiped windows and reinstalled a second time (didn't lose much, was only 5 minutes into the fresh install anyway) but exactly the same thing happens.


If I startup the computer in safe mode and uninstall WB the system reverts to Windows Classic on reboot and I can proceed as normal. Aside from having no shell with WB, the setup seems quite robust (I'm writing this through SDC over a wireless network all without explorer.exe running). Any suggestions?                                                                                                            WindowBlinds 5.0 System Information Report:


STATUS : WB+ SRV~ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+


WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.


WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC


Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.


You have one monitor in total.


(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 6800


Wblind.dll      2006/03/21 13:33:46
Wbsrv.dll      2006/03/17 11:16:44
Wbconfig.exe      2006/03/19 14:33:44
Wbload.exe      2006/03/13 17:54:12
Wbhelp.dll      2004/09/18 16:37:00
Wbui.dll      2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll      2005/11/02 13:28:26
4,605 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm running 5.01.006 dtd 3/21/2006 and none of your dates and times match mine.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The differences between yours and mine appear to be time zones, except for this one:

Wbsrv.dll 2006/03/17 11:16:44


not even remotely close
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Please remember the 64 bit XP needs a 64 bit version of wbsrv which will explain the differences in dates.

There were reports of this with some of the 5.01 betas, but this particular problem was resolved with 5.01 release build.  What does your event log say?

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Argh, Hi and thanks for your help. I'm afraid the event log is gone - the offending PC is having XP64 reinstalled (sans all hotfixes). It occurred to me that it worked fine before I installed the 'Cumulative Security Update, 14th April,' and while I'm not sure how that could break WB I'm hopeful that it will work. If not, I'll be back in an hour or so with a copy of the event log. I'm slightly worried that I've used up most of my activations over the last two days trying to fix this, but here's hoping!
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Okay - I'm fairly certain the problem was with the new version of WB5 I downloaded through SDC. Windows was reinstalled and exactly the same problem occurred when I installed WB through SDC. Booted up in safemode and installed the version I downloaded when I bought it and the whole system works just fine. Utterly baffled as to why the new version breaks my computer, but something to watch out for. Here's the new System Info,

WindowBlinds 5.0 System Information Report:

STATUS : WB+ SRV~ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

You have one monitor in total.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 6800

Wblind.dll 2006/03/21 13:33:46
Wbsrv.dll 2006/03/17 11:16:44
Wbconfig.exe 2006/03/19 14:33:44
Wbload.exe 2005/12/21 00:04:40
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 15:37:00
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2005/11/02 13:28:26
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
The only thing that seems different is Wbload.exe, but the difference is remarkable. It just works now, I don't know how else to put it.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Please remember the 64 bit XP needs a 64 bit version of wbsrv which will explain the differences in dates.


I remember. I was comparing his, mine and the History.


Wondering: if there are updates that only affect the 64 bit - do only those with 64 bit get a notification in SDC? And is the History fully up to date?
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Nothing special appeared in SDC, but then I'm not using it this time. So far, everything's working fine. Wonder what the problem with the newer version could be.