WindowBlinds Problems

from Stardock Forums
I have some issues with WindowBlinds 5.1. Sometimes i get black areas on some windows, like in the start menu that doesn't repaint until I click over the area. Other times my start menu just won't skin no matter what I do (remains the classic start menu, not even the XP style). The only solution is to reboot, but always after some period of time (usually a few hours) my problem returns.

After searching through the forums, I decided to uninstall and reinstall. I noticed the version and date of some of the WB components on the System Information screen seems to indicate trial versions (according to other users), however I have NEVER installed a trial version on my PC. When I reinstalled WindowBlinds, it asked me for my serial #, which I entered from my email receipt and activated it.

When I originally purchased WindowBlinds I soon after upgraded to ObjectDesktop, so which serial # do I enter into WB registration? The ObjectDesktop one or the WindowBlinds one? I've been entering the WindowBlinds one, but maybe that's my problem?? Does anyone have any idea about this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Tim
windowblinds
5,517 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
When I originally purchased WindowBlinds I soon after upgraded to ObjectDesktop, so which serial # do I enter into WB registration? The ObjectDesktop one or the WindowBlinds one? I've been entering the WindowBlinds one, but maybe that's my problem?? Does anyone have any idea about this?


Uninstall WB - enter your ODNT (Object Desktop) serial in for ODNT in Stardock Central - that serial covers all the products in ODNT (including WB) - then install/reinstall your purchased products that will show in the list.

With ODNT you also get to try out beta versions (if you don't want those then uncheck show prerelease down at the bottom of SDC) - I suggesst unchecking and installing released versions first, then you can check show prerelease if you want a beta version. You can also set SDC to autoarchive on updating - to make it easier to rollback to the previous version if a beta isn't working for you.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I installed again (using SD Central) and entered the WindowsBlinds SN into the "Register Products" area for WindowBlinds 5 before I read your reply. The problem still exists. I will uninstall and instead use the ODNT serial and post the results here.

Thanks!

Here is the System information report from WindowBlinds with
WindowBlinds 5.1 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.

(ThinkPad Display 1400x1050) 1 is attached to ATI Mobility Radeon X1300

Wblind.dll 2006/10/09 10:24:20
Wblind64.dll 2006/10/09 11:51:37
Wbsrv.dll 2006/10/09 10:40:18
Wbconfig.exe 2006/10/10 16:39:13
Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 17:54:14
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:07
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2006/04/13 17:29:23
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Ok, below is the info after installing from SD Central using the OD serial. I don't see any difference in the versions or the dates. When I try to apply a skin in WB, the Please Wait dialog comes up for about 60 seconds (no visible HDD thrashing or CPU usage during that time), but no skin is applied!

Thanks for any help w/ this.





WindowBlinds 5.1 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.

(ThinkPad Display 1400x1050) 1 is attached to ATI Mobility Radeon X1300

Wblind.dll 2006/10/09 10:24:20
Wblind64.dll 2006/10/09 11:51:37
Wbsrv.dll 2006/10/09 10:40:18
Wbconfig.exe 2006/10/10 16:39:13
Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 17:54:14
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:07
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2006/04/13 17:29:23
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
The dates are correct - see no mixing of trial and paid

are your drivers up to date?

I've seen some posts with issues possibly tied to ATI but I'm not sure, and unless it's in the title - it's hard to search.

you may want to put in a ticket to support while you wait for some one to stop by that may know.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Yes, latest graphics drivers from IBM/Lenovo support website. I tried installing the latest Omega Drivers with the same result after a little while: corrupted menus and titlebars, sometimes the window titlebar and menu disappear altogether and only reappear when I click on that area, corrupted taskbar, corrupted window borders, etc. Sometimes when I re-apply a skin (after corruption occurs), my desktop doesn't respond to anything (right-clicks, icon double-clicks) and I have to kill explorer.exe and restart it to do anything. Sometimes when I drag windows, the titlebar and menu area turn completely black.

Is anyone else having this problem?
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
have you tried the 'click this if you have title bar corruption' options in wb configure - I think in system info
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have questions. What type of system do you have? How much memory? Video card?
Operating system?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WindowFX running?
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Bichur: Yes, I've tried checking both of the options at the bottom of the WB System Configuration page - no change.

BigDogFeet: I have a ThinkPad T60 notebook PC running Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 w/ 1.5GB RAM. 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon x1300 w/ HyperMemory (512MB, or so the graphics info utilities say).

Yrag: Yes, WindowFX 3.0 is running (although I've tried it without it and it doesn't seem to make any difference). I'm also running CursorXP (again, I've tried without and doesn't make any difference).

Thanks very much for the help!
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like Bichur is stumped...   
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, I guess I'm on my own on this one. Thanks for the input everyone.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Tim,

I will make sure technical support sees this post and we'll see if we can come up with a solution for you. They will get back with you as soon as they can.

Thanks,
Jenny