Is the full version newer build then the trial?

from Stardock Forums
I just tried the trial version of windowfx 3.0. I like the shadows and menu animations but I encountered some problems that were mentioned on this forum. Not working transitions (hanging system), the shutdown issue ( hanging processes, explorer.exe, MCI command window, connections tray). I have also a prolem with small windows setting that does nothing( Animations -> Advanced -> define size).

I read in this forum that there are newer builds of WindowFX available.

My question is: Is the full version newer then the trial, and if so, are that mentioned problems sorted out already?
windowfx
10,744 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The latest Release version I show is 3.00.013 dated 6/7/2006

The current beta is 3.00a(b).005 dated 8/25/2006.

ODNT subscribers get access to betas.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WinFX has great potential but a few issues I think.
It won't apply shadows to per-pixel WB skins and it's resource intensive for me.

It's a good app with a great feature set . . . but it's one of the few SD apps I don't run by default.

YMMV
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
So it looks like there was no newer release.. thats sad.

WinFX has lots of features, but I just wanted to use it for shadows. Also that simple fade/expand animation look great with small dialogs. Its a pity I can't set it only for dialogs and not for big windows.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Its a pity I can't set it only for dialogs and not for big windows.


animations - advanced (near the bottom right corner) - check "only windows smaller than the defined size should animate" - then define the size
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
doesn't quite seem to grasp the concept of 'smaller than'
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There is a newer beta release for customers which does resolve the problem with explorer hanging.  It also allows transitions to work on some mobile / integrated graphics chipsets which did not permit them previously.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
  
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Neil -

I've been using 3.00a(b).005 since August and I still get the explorer.exe hang on shutdown occasionally. Still behaves the same way - usually have to kill it twice before shutdown will proceed.

Not often enough to be a problem but still occurs. Don't have a clue why most shutdowns go without a hitch & some don't. FWIW, I always shutdown from an empty desktop after closing all running apps.

XPP SP2 with all updates.
Fujitsu C2240 Notebook.
ATI IGP 340 graphics (Fujitsu proprietary drivers - can't upgrade them).
Using shadows, menu animations & desktop features only.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Daiwa: If you are having explorer hang on shutdown with the latest beta then WindowFX is not at fault.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I also occasionally get a message at shutdown saying Windows could not update my roaming profile even though I've never had one, LOL, so maybe you're right and the explorer shutdown hang never had anything to do with WFX in the first place.

Still, I wonder...the Hidden Fax Window hang has gone away.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Hello Neil, is there a way to test that beta before purchase?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not sure how soon he'll be back to this thread. However, an OD subscription is the only way to access the betas.

You are welcome to test the shareware release version for 60 days without charge.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for info..
Do I have to buy ObjectDock to have that subscription or just windowFX?




Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sorry - there are 2 OD's: ObjectDock (an individual application) and Object Desktop Network (a subscription to a suite of applications which, as it happens, does not include ObjectDock, though a free version of ObjectDock is available).

I was referring to an Object Desktop Network subscription. You can take a look at Stardock's website to see all the applications included in the subscription. If you purchase WFX alone, you'll get the most recent standalone release version, not the beta Neil was referring to.
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
The betas come with the full Object Desktop subscription.
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
I am running the NVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 video card and Window XP x64, along with the Logitech Revolution Mouse.

Windows FX doesn't work with this system. It says there is a problem with the video drivers. I have the latest video drivers and have even used the latest beta from NVidia.

The Logitech mouse also doesn't work correctly as well (setpoint 3.1 program). I lose most of the functionality of the mouse.

When I request that it is started at reboot, Windows FX doesn't start up.

Thanks for the help.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for clarification!
Too bad, I'm afraid I won't spend 50$ to get a working version of WinFX, as I don't find other Stardock products that useful to me.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

What exactly does WindowFX say about the video drivers?

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
Neil,

Here is what is shown on the screen.

"Performance Advice
For optimal performance in Windows FX 3, your graphics card drivers need to provide certain functionality which helps offloade the processing onto the graphics card

Your machine details:
Your video card is: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2

Your driver version is: Unable to obtain driver version
Constant Alpha Blending is accelerated by these drivers
Per Pixel Alpha Blending is accelearte by these drivers

Advice:
Your current drivers are know to have a performance issue which will significantly slow down transition effects and the open/clsoe animations
We recommend you upgrade to newer drivers (if available)"