Buggy product

from Stardock Forums
I've been away from Stardock land for a few years, but really wanted to get back Objectdock as it really helps clean up the desktop and adds a great "cool" factor.

Ran the free version for awhile, went ahead and got plus so I could have the multiple docs along with several of the other paid goodies.

Unfortunately, I've found the product to be extremely bug ridden, and wondering if there is any help in sight.

Here are some of the problems I'm having (hopeful that I can convey clearly)

After installing Plus, the default theme / scheme gives you one dock at the bottom where the icons grow and shrink as you mouse over them. There's a dock at the top with tabs that hides everything except the tab names until you mouse over the tab names.

Background info: This is an HP DV8000Z running Vista Home Premium. Plenty of memory, video is ATI Radeon Xpress 200M (no, not a real screamer, but mostly adequate).

1) When resuming from hibernate, dock at the top is gone. Only way to make it come back is to open up the dock configuration and select "Manage Docks". Then it reappears.
2) When resuming from hibernate, icons at on the bottom dock do not appear until I mouse over the entire dock.
3) I created a dock that has nothing on it bu the system tray. Once again, coming back from hibernate the icons don't appear until I click on the blank areas of the tray (this is a laptop and hibernate is a must for me).
4) I have the docks set to stay on top except for maximized windows, then it "hides". Only problem is it stays hidden, even after the maximized window is closed. Only way to un-hide it is to roll the mouse all the way down, make the dock pop-up, and open the dock properties.

I'm also at a loss of how to get skins/themes off Wincustomize applied to my docks. For example, how do you go about applying Minimalistic 2 to the docks? All that's inside is several images and a number of INI files. No instructions and I haven't found a lick of help in these or the Wincustomize forums.

Thanks for any help anyone can give!
objectdock
3,715 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

First up, I'll go out on a limb and say that your problems are computer model specific ...in that it's an actual problem with your computer, not ObjectDock Plus.  I'm running OD+ on 4 different Desktop comps [at various times] and don't encounter any of the problems you describe here. However, on a desktop, I obviously don't use hibernate.

Perhaps somebody with a laptop will come along and suggest a workaround to your problem, if they've discovered one.

All that's inside is several images and a number of INI files.

Yep ...thats all there is to them ... 

When you download a skin for OD+ from here, it should be in .zip format. Just unzip the skin/s to the directory where your ObjectDock+ Backgrounds are kept.  So, in my case, that is:

C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Backgrounds.

However, new implementation by Jeff [OD+ developer], has this residing in your 'My Documents' folder ...so you could also place them in the 'backgrounds' folder there, and that will work too.

Also implemented was the .dockzip format, which, when double-clicked ...will automatically place the images into the correct folder for you.

So, if you download a .dockzip file, you can just double-click and the background will be put in the right place for you ....or, if it's a .zip file, you would extract to either of the places I've just mentioned, and the backgrounds will be visible to you when you go into your dock configuration settings....

Hope that helps you some...

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use OD Plus and have now problems with it. NO BUGS.....
Here's what I do .

Download your dock or icon and when you get to the folder you want to put it in: then go to:

Computer, click on Programs and then to Stardock and then to Object Dock. Then just put them either the Backgrounds for Docks or Icon Theme or Bundles for Icons. Really simple. But I do agree, I think there may be a bug in your computer.. Hope not.  
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I cannot make a suggestion regarding your system, but have you taken a look at the wiki entry for ObjectDock?

The lack of info is rather commonplace (info / manuals are something Stardock is trying to correct) and I just bought & installed OD+ (without incident) two days ago. Obviously I'm not ready to dispense pearls of wisdom just yet.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
We're always looking for more people to add stuff to the wiki. Community projects need community input.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Leonard,

Update your display card drivers once you have installed Vista updates (which I assume you have already done). Vista is still rough around the edges a bit. That should fix the display/undisplay w/hibernate issues. Or at least in did for me on a testbed system. Good luck.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks to all for suggestions and help. I believe ERK is closer to the truth than anyone...just my dumb luck, and my system.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the only time OD+ is buggy for me is when i use an image of a bug as a dock entry. other than that, everything runs great.