Major problem with object dock

dock bar disapears and settings change on their own

from Stardock Forums
hi, im having a problem with object doc.

it has only started happening recently, i turn on my pc and the object doc bar loads up but all settings have been changed to other settings,

all my shortcuts are missing and the only docks that are on the bar are the current running appz. as son as i close running apz, the bar closes and i have no objectdoc bar.

the settings must be changing on their own because i have the 'hide windows task bar' unchecked, but when i turned on my pc that option had been checked and my taskbar is hidden??

this is really strange and annoying as i cannot use my obdock.

i have been using the softwafre for months now and this problem has litrally occured over night.

i thought it was time to reformat my pc so i did that and the problem went away..

i am now runing a fresh copy of windows XP professonal and the bar was running fine for a few days. i have turned my pc on today and to my horror the problem has come back...

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specs
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Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Memory (RAM): 2047 MB
CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Sound card: Realtek HD Audio rear output
Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 | NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 | NetMeeting driver
Screen Resolution: 1440 X 900 - 32 bit
Network Adapters: WLAN a+b+g mini-PCI Module - NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: D: _NEC DVD+-RW ND-6650A
COM Ports: COM3 | COM1 | COM6 | COM4 | COM5
Mouse: 16 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 55.9GB | I: 298.1GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 49.3GB | I: 229.9GB
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies LTD
BIOS Info: ATAT COMPATIBLE 042805 PTLTD 6040000
Motherboard: CLEVO D900T

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objectdock
3,190 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
This is going to be an interesting thread. I'm curious to hear about how to handle this particular problem. So far I haven't had a situation like this...but I suspect this could be lurking under the hood, so to speak. So I would be curious to see how this one is resolved.

There must be a file in ObjectDock that can get corrupted and it needs refreshing. This is indeed a serious problem and I hope somebody can offer a suggestion. Try this as a test...go to Download.com and look for RocketDock...and try that...as it also offers the same capability as ObjectDock and it's free. Test that to see if you're getting the same problem. If so...then it's a hardware issue and not software. I suspect the video card may be dying...but this is just my speculation.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I had an issue with OD+ crashing immediately on opening. SD advised me to clear the cache (there's a link on it somewhere here).

If memory serves, delete the ObjectDock folder in your documents and settings\local settings\application data folder
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Do a Google search for "objectdock cache folder" without the quotes and you'll find a link to a discussion on this problem. From what I gather...you have to delete all the saved ini files in your theme folder but NOT the default ini file. This suggests that the themes should be backed up to a memory stick and relaunched using the default setting. Once ObjectDock is up and running again...restore the saved theme and reuse it. If the problem happens again, then it seems to me this can only be solved via a Registry fix. There must be a Registry fix to force Windows XP/Vista to remember the shortcuts.

I personally am having a problem with my desktop shortcuts not remembering the icon from the original web browser. No matter what I do...Windows XP refuses to put the proper icon linked to the browser. I even reset IE 7 to be the default browser...and still I get the blank generic icon. Ironically...when I drag the icon to ObjectDock...then the icon gets skinned correctly. So I'm wondering whether ObjectDock is burrowing deeper into the Windows XP kernel than we realize. If that's the case...somebody has to come in here and explain where this registry entry is and help us edit it if we also have problems like the original poster described.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I found another folder...an apparently more important folder:

C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\OWNER\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\STARDOCK\OBJECTDOCKPLUS

It's in here you have the important ini files. The question right now is which ones can we safely delete if we have problems like the above described issue.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\OWNER\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\STARDOCK\OBJECTDOCKPLUS


I don't have plus, but I usually just delete the whole thing - set me back to default, I rebuild (one dock = not a lot of issues rebuilding)

plus users - I suggest you back up your theme first

for those who haven't cleared a cache, you might want to peruse Corky O's Clearing the Cache 101
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
hey thanks for the reply's.

I got RocketDock and i am using that with no problems so i think ill just stick with that for now,

Cheers guys!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
RocketDock has a great deal less functionality and customization. The cache clearing suggested here is the most effective way to clear small problems like this (or big ones for that matter). Just be sure to save the theme as mentioned before. You won't retain the settings you clear with the cache but will retain your look and icon settings.