Transparency and Per-Pixel Skinning

from Stardock Forums
Hello, I need some help in enabling per-pixel skinning. I'll just start out by saying that I had 0 problems with WindowBlinds 5 and enabling transparency, everything worked fine, no lag. Well after upgrading to Vista, and installing WindowBlinds 6, it just doesn't seem to want to use transparency and per-pixel skinning. It states you need a graphics card rating of 2.0 (Mine is 1.9 v_v), and WDDM drivers. I obviously had the same settings using WindowBlinds 5, so I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work just because I upgraded to Vista. Just wondering if anyone else had this problem, or knew of a solution.

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 1
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 1.9

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.0 (build 49 x86 - Vista Edition)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller (Microsoft Corporation - XDDM)

Wblind.dll 2007/10/10 12:34:20
Wbsrv.dll 2007/10/10 12:34:22
Wbconfig.exe 2007/10/01 12:34:22
Wbload.exe 2007/10/10 12:34:25
Wbhelp.dll 2007/10/10 12:34:26
Tray.dll 2007/10/10 12:34:28
Wbload.dll 2007/10/10 12:34:28
Screen.exe 2007/10/10 12:34:34

PS: Just realized when posting that, I have the 32bit version of Vista, would having the x86 of WindowBlinds be a problem?
windowblinds
1,766 views 6 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ExofusionX running WB on Vista does present some different problems vs running it on XP. I don't run Vista so can't really offer any suggestion. I would contract support@stardock.com with this one. It could very possibly be that the graphics card is the cause of this.  :NOTSURE: 
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You are not using the current version of WB.
Uninstall and reinstall via SDC
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Your video card is not capable of per pixel skins when on Windows Vista.

Also all your file dates are strange.  Why is this?

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For reasons too numerous, complex and Microsoft to explain, let alone understand, upgrading to Vista from XP on a machine that does not support WDDM results in a downgrade in video performance. Regrettably, the problem you have is not with Windowblinds, but rather with the OS on your particular hardware. You no longer have the "same settings" you had with WB5.

File date discrepancies are another matter, but even with an uncorrupted valid installation, the problem is the same.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I never had a problem with Running WB on Vista... o.O

I only had very simple issues with Most ANY Stardock application on vista.. and if you look at my posts you can find about the issues and the SIMPLE FIXES for them...


I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Vista and my Stardock Apps....


and yeah WB needs a decent video card and video Ratings :P


Anne