OD silently dies on startup.

from Stardock Forums
I recently installed OD Plus (which I've been using for years) on a new machine and when I click the executable it simply doesn't start. No error messages, no windows beep noise, nothing.

I tried uninstalling, then cleaning the registry and reinstalling; same problem.
I tried "clearing the cache" per the instructions on Corky_O's page; same problem.

I'm not sure where to turn from here. I've never a problem with OD and I feel very inefficient without it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
objectdock
5,124 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can you verify that objectdock is/isn't running by opening task manager?

[Ctrl][Alt][Delete]
Processes Tab
look for objectdock.exe

If it is running, running it again should bring up the OD+ configuration window and show all docks. Try to create a new one or delete one of the old.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OD silently dies on startup.


be glad it doesn't scream.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So here's exactly what happens.
I reboot the machine, bring up the task manager and sort by name so I can watch for the objectdock.exe process.

When I click the ObjectDock shortcut, OD shows up for about 1 second in task manager (nothing flashes on the screen) and then it disappears. This is why I'm calling it "silently dieing". If I click it again it doesn't even pop up in the task manager.

Nothing shows up in the Application event log either. I'd actually prefer if it would scream a little. At least that way the problem would have a symptom.   

Any ideas?
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
don't know if this has any bearing:

do you have a firewall, if so OD allowed access? (this may only effect the weather docklet)
do you have script blocking? (don't know it it would have any effect)
do you have OD installed to it's default path or other?
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
There seems to be another post witha somewhat similar issue:

OD crashes

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Bichur, thanks for the reply.

1) The only firewall I have currently is the Windows SP2 firewall, but I can't see how this would cause a problem.

2) I use BitDefender for AV and SpySweeper for Malware (I've tried disabling both with no success).

3) Yes, it's in the default directory.

Also, I did search before posting and found a few people that had the crashing problem. It seems that my issue is completely different than any of the ones posted. All of them at least see OD open, or have it open for a while, before it crashes.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

EDIT: I sent an email to support@stardock.com and pointed them to this thread.
If they don't reply here and a solution is found I'll post back.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
FoaMDarT,

If you installed the new version 1.3, did it activate on the new computer install?

This sounds it is quitting due to lack of activation. If you are unsure, you might give a go at:

- uninstall (after verifying the processes is not running in Task Manager)
- reboot
- clear any cache folder
- remove any left-over folder in "C:\Program Files\Stardock" folder
- reinstall (keeping an eye open for the "Activate" section of install procedure, which is towards the very end of install).
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
take your downloaded backgrounds and ions (everything that didn't come 'originally') if they're in there, and put them in a safe place 1st
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmm...
I'm installing from Stardock Central which doesn't provide access to the program unless it's key is entered properly on the registration page. And as far as I know it doesn't ask for anything else when installing registered programs.

This is a good angle though. I'll check some things out on this front when I go home tonight. Thanks Corky_O.