XP freezes after start-up

The only Object Desktop part I run is WindowBlinds 5 when the laptop boots (due to the suites I use it autostarts).

Suites?
(which would mean that others like CursorXP, Sysmetrix,Rainlendar,DesktopX, Iconpackager, etc would also run - since each component of a suite needs a different program)

or

Skins? (like just WB)

open WB configuration and clck system information on the left, copy/paste (here) all the info that show (the whole page)

OK, here it is:


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 SiS M661MX

Wblind.dll 2006/03/21 13:33:46
Wbsrv.dll 2006/02/05 12:58:22
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

One common reason to this problem is spyware attaching itself to the explorer process. Start by doing these things: 1) Download for example Spybot S&D, update it and check for spyware. 2) Do a virus scan. 3) Run a scandisk with surface check on your partitions and finally 4; reinstall windowblinds. Sorry about this messy list but Stardock Central refuses to let me insert returns.

I'm using Norton Internet Security (NIS), so I think I'm covered against both viruses and spyware. This problem started only after installing Object Desktop, and using Theme Manager to apply different suites.

I've managed to work around the problem by applying the default Windows desktop theme before shutting down my computer. When the system is up and running again, I can use new suites and themes just fine. It's the start-up of the system that seems to go wrong when using suites or themes that automatically forces WindowBlinds to load in the tray... system comes up, then immediately freezes when I double-click an icon or click the Start button...

  

Your dates are old - update WB via SDC

If you want the lastes released version, make sure show pre release is unchecked. that will give you the latest release dated in June. If you want to try the betas the check show pre release (I set mine on auto archive for easy rollback if a beta glitches)

According to Stardock Central, my software is up to date... it doesn't give me any alternatives unless I opt to show beta releases, but I really don't wanna go with a beta version when I'm having difficulties with a released version!!!   

According to SDC, I have WindowBlinds 5.01.006. Theme Manager 2.30.041.

Which ODNT Parts (Like DesktopX, IconPackager, ObjectBar etc.) you have installed?

I've installed all of the programs in Object Desktop, with the exception of WindowBlinds 4, as I (quite naturally) opted to install WindowBlinds 5... also, I had to buy CursorXP, too... to get rid of the slightly irritating "You do not seem to have CursorXP installed..." etc. message everytime I tried to change theme/suite...

I think I need to report my problems to Stardock. I've paid good money for this software, and if it fails to run on my computer, I want a refund of my 50 bucks...

You need to check "Show Pre-Release Versions" on the bottom of the ObjectDesktop section of Stardock Central to get the latest versions.

I don' want alpha and beta versions when I'm already having trouble with an official release...   

You should take the good advice given to you already and update WindowBlinds, at least, to the latest "Beta" version. As Bichur in reply #5 mentioned, put a check in both the "Show pre-release versions" and "Auto archive" boxes. You will then get the latest updated version of the program(s) AND have the ability to simply and quickly revert/restore to any of the previous versions/builds you had installed before. Although they are technically called "Beta" versions, they are actually updated "fix" versions of the public release which address problems reported either to Stardock directly or posted on this Forum. There are very few reported problems with any of these "Beta" releases. Again, they are released to address/fix problems that have been reported. And there are no "alpha" versions available via Stardock Central.

My [educated] guess is that your problem is with your machine's inability to handle all that you have enabled to run at startup, which I suspect is far more than just the Object Desktop applications. The fact that 1000's of people run these programs without experiencing the problem(s) you have should be indicative enough to show that the problem doesn't reside in the programs themselves but with your particular machine and/or how it is configured, other issues which need to be addressed, etc.

My [educated] guess is that your problem is with your machine's inability to handle all that you have enabled to run at startup, which I suspect is far more than just the Object Desktop applications.

The only other thing that starts at boot-up, is Norton Internet Security... nothing else. The machine ran fine before installing Object Desktop. My 24 years of experience with computers tells me that something must be wrong with the software, or the software is unsuitable for certain type of hardware configurations.

The fact that 1000's of people run these programs without experiencing the problem(s) you have should be indicative enough to show that the problem doesn't reside in the programs themselves but with your particular machine and/or how it is configured, other issues which need to be addressed, etc.

Then Stardock should alert customers before they buy their software: "We make world class software, but it might not run on all configurations of computers. And please don't make us look into what's causing your particular problem".

  

Neolithic71,

Can you successfully perform the following procedure?

1 - Load WindowBlinds configuration panel

2 - Select "5imple" skin (just select, do not apply yet)

3 - Go into "Basic Settings" and deselect the options to "Apply icon package" and "Apply any wallpaper supplied".

4 - Click the "Apply Changes" on the left side of configuration panel.

6 - Reboot machine to test the explorer.exe process

Note - there have been a couple of posts in the past 6 months where the explorer.exe process was getting stuck at 100% CPU usage during boot, but I can't recall the post names. With any luck, Neil (WB Developer) will drop by and see this post.

Wblind.dll 2006/03/21 13:33:46 Wbsrv.dll 2006/02/05 12:58:22 Wbconfig.exe 2006/03/19 14:33:44 Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 17:54:12

latest release dated in June.

5.01.006 should have june dates

Can you successfully perform the following procedure? 1 - Load WindowBlinds configuration panel 2 - Select "5imple" skin (just select, do not apply yet) 3 - Go into "Basic Settings" and deselect the options to "Apply icon package" and "Apply any wallpaper supplied". 4 - Click the "Apply Changes" on the left side of configuration panel. 6 - Reboot machine to test the explorer.exe process

No difference... it still stucks at 100% CPU usage... and now I've even installed the latest betaversion...

5.01.006 should have june dates

Well, then I guess that's a "bug" in itself...   

I'm sorry to inform you that you are not covered against both viruses & spyware because you use NIS (Norton Internet Security). Symantec's NIS is not even close to being best of breed in the firewall software class.

Few things you should do when the system is working:
Download & install Spybot v1.4, Ad Aware SE 1.06, MS Defender Beta 2, Webroot SpySweeper (demo version, good for 14 days) and Cleanup v4.5.2 (there are other apps to consider but this will start you off). Once these apps are installed, reboot the pc into safe mode (don't scan for viruses or spyware in regular windows mode, it's nowhere near as effective as running scans in safe mode). Run Cleanup to get rid of all the windows & internet fluff that's been accumulating on your pc, make sure you run in standard mode and also make sure you check off the temp files so that it does a thorough job on your pc. Reboot after that is done and start windows in safe mode again and perform scans using all of the above anti-spyware software and whatever you're using for anti-virus software. Remove everything that is detected, reboot and perform a 2nd set of scans in windows safe mode again. If your anti-spyware/virus software continues to find more traces of spyware/viruses, continue repeating this process until it is all removed. Reboot into regular windows mode and get yourself a good windows registry scanning/repairing application, Tune-Up 2006 Utilities comes to mind but there are plenty of other good apps out there as well (JV16 Powertools, JV Regsupreme, etc.), perform windows registry scans and let it repair any windows registry problems they find, reboot again and you should have a pc that runs decently & more efficiently than previous.

The misconception that Norton Internet Security provides your pc with protection against the afore mentioned malware needs to be addressed, if you feel your pc is taken care of in that aspect, I have to wonder where else it may be suffering.

- just my 0.02 cents cdn.
...unclerob

Symantec's NIS is not even close to being best of breed in the firewall software class

Says who?! I've used it for several years, and before that Norton AntiVirus (I've been on the Internet since 1994), and have never, ever had problems with spyware and virus.

@Corky_O:

Hope you see this, as I was unable to edit my own post further up in the thread:

Your trick worked! When using that particular skin, and applying the two changes, my PC now booted without any problems at all!

what does the system info say now in WB configure?

  Corky  

(no access to super pic    )

what does the system info say now in WB configure?

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 SiS M661MX

Wblind.dll 2006/08/23 17:13:20
Wbsrv.dll 2006/08/23 17:18:30
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 2006/04/13 17:29:04

Hope you see this, as I was unable to edit my own post further up in the thread: Your trick worked! When using that particular skin, and applying the two changes, my PC now booted without any problems at all!

Good deal!

BTW - I also run NIS 2006 without issues.

i had a similar issue to this one before i upgraded my RAM i was running 512 mb RAM and had all sorts of issues with windowblinds & my system freezing and locking up on me with most blinds.. i upgraded to a gig of RAM and havent had a problem since, and am able to use any windowblind so far.

oh yea.. i run Symantec Antivirus and have not had any issues