Startup questions - copying files and splash screen

from WinCustomize Forums

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can help with some things I've noticed and find annoying. I shut down my computer whenever it is not in use. During startup I've noticed two things which are annoying me.

Recently I installed OD+ and this caused my system to suddenly start displaying an Objectsomething splash screen during system startup. I've looked at ObectBar and OD+; I cannot find an option to turn of the splash screen.

Another issue is that since starting to use ObjectBar I get a file copying dialog appearing at every startup. I believe that OD+ is also doing the same thing. At least, more images are being copied and the total time spent copying has increased since OD+ was installed. Is their a "run silent" option? Or have I done something wrong? I think the initial use of the theme (previously DogmaX4, now Liquidox premium skin) was from a non-standard path. I assumed it would copy the files into wherever they needed to go. Perhaps this might account for the copying issue?

Any help would be appreciated.

Sabardeyn

objectdock
4,400 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sabardeyn I do believe your issue is related to where your files are located on

a non-standard path. I assumed it would copy the files into wherever they needed to go. Perhaps this might account for the copying issue?


I keep all of my backgrounds & images in the OD+ folder in My Documents, with over 3GB of icons alone I have never had issues with file coping. It would make sense to me that OD is trying to *find those files & as a result needs to copy them. I also found that keeping the backgrounds & icons in the My Documents folder makes backing them up a much easier task

I do not have OB installed & do not have a splash screen with OD+...this may also be related to the file coping issue.

After using Stardock Central to archive your applications & backing up all of you backgrounds & icons place them in the OD My Documents folder & see if that solves your problem.

It's My Secret
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The splash screen you see is probably SmartStart.  It's part of the hook from some Stardock products into the windows system to display things like the systray icons.  I turned it off via Stardock Central (Tools | Settings | General | "Enable MCP SmartStartup") with no issues.

The file copy for OB2 is most likely the WB skin you are using being applied.  Are you having OB apply your WB skin?

What versions of OD+ and OB2 are you using?  YOu might want to use Stardock Central ("SDC") to check for updates.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
From what I remember of the splash - somewhere on there it said press esc to make the splash go away. once I did, haven't seen it since. and I have smart startup enabled.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
MySecret,
I'll have to see if archiving, backing-up and moving the files helps ccorrect the problem. I'll post back.

Zubaz,
I've got the standard Windows taskbar and system tray currently (yes, in addition to running both OB and OD+). I haven't quite figured what I want and which programs fill my needs. The versions are up to date since I'm a current ODNT subscriber.

The application currently applying my skin is, I believe, theme manager. At least, when I installed Liquidox I used theme manager. Currently WB, OB, OD+ are running.

Bichur,
The few times I've been able to read the splash screen I've seen the ESC notice, but pressing it does not seem to stop it from appearing again. I'll try rebooting again. Maybe I've been too slow; the screen is automatically disappearing instead of responding to my esc key press.

BTW, OB is the program causing the splash screen. I've been watching for it and have been able to read it. It goes away fairly quickly.

Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate it.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I know it must seem that I've forgotten your advice. Unfortunately real world issues arise and I have not been able to really sit down and check these things thoroughly until now. Thank you all for your patience.

OB splash screen problem:
Yes, OB is using the Liquidox skin. (Sorry Zubaz, I mis-understood your question when I originally read it. I thought you were asking "which app is skinning my system?" instead of "are you applying the DogmaX4 / Liquidox skin to OB?".)
Pressing ESC does not disable the splash screen. Upon reboot it shows up again.
Unchecking MCP and/or MCP Notification disables OB. Appearently OB cannot operate without SmartStart running.

Copying files problem:
Since both OB and OD+ have unique file paths and neither skin's files are located in those paths, this is probably the cause for my file copying issues. Particularly since I've just noticed that since updating I'm only getting the OB set of file copying dialogs.
I have not tried archiving/backing-up/copying the files just yet.


I've just updated to the newest version of WB6. It occurred to me that my issues might be related to using the WB6 beta instead of WB5. Obviously, finding out for sure requires me to unload WB6, reload WB5 and try all of these steps again. This process is a bit more involved but I will be trying it momentarily since it is, via SDC, automated.

I will be holding off on the archive/back-up/copy solution since it is more difficult. Mostly because it is a little more "labor intensive" (finding current path & files as well as correct path & files, doing everything, rebooting several times, etc.).

Sabardeyn
Online infrequently,responses are made accordingly.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unchecking MCP and/or MCP Notification disables OB. Appearently OB cannot operate without SmartStart running.


enable MCP notification area support
enable MCP smart startup

2 different things.

notification area support is to pull the systray info in (used by OB and DTX - used to be used by ObjectDock plus but no longer needed for that app)

the smart startup was to keep things like windows classic from showing until WB was loaded, not show normal desktop while desktopx was loading, etc
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Alright, I've done the WB swap-out and nothing changed. Updating to the latest WB6 beta release has resolved the OD+ file copying, but the OB splash screen and file copying is still occurring. As yet I still have not tried to archive and move the files.

Strangely, either something hiccuped or I might have just found a WB6 bug! I am, of course, going to report it elsewhere. I leave tracking it down to others since I need to resolve my outstanding issues rather than hunt down new ones.


Bichur,
Thanks for the info on MCP/SmartStart. I suspected that was they way they worked.


Thanks everyone for your help so far. I really do appreciate it. I know it is quite difficult at times to provide assistance without being hands on. I'll try the archiving solution later tonight or tomorrow.