Graphical errors under Windows XP Pro x64

(Large screenshots in external link)

http://bis.midco.net/lukeonia1/wb-errors.jpg
from Stardock Forums
As you can see in the linked screenshots, the skin applies properly, but the Windows system colors that fill in the unskinned areas switch to a monochromatic color scheme any time the screen refreshes (such as when the screensaver exits). Every skin I've tried has the same problem. The only way to correct this is to reload the Windows Theme (which I created for that particular skin) from the system Display Properties panel.

(See the linked screenshots; the error is on top, and the corrected theme is on the bottom.)

Also, WindowBlinds refuses to show its system tray icon. I have Windows set to display all system tray icons, but the WB icon never appears. Changing the setting in the WB Settings doesn't do anything at all. The only way I can access the WindowBlinds control panel is via the Start Menu, and the only way I can unload Windowblinds is by killing the process in Task Manager.

When I upgraded from WB 4.4 I was expecting better performance, but now as it is this program isn't worth using as it is. How do I fix this? I do NOT want to have to get a refund for the program because it won't work correctly on my system. :(

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WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.01 (build 40 x86) - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(Default Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

Wblind.dll 2007/11/06 14:20:20
Wblind64.dll 2007/11/06 14:20:01
Wbsrv.dll 2007/11/06 10:09:23
Wbconfig.exe 2007/11/06 14:20:08
Wbload.exe 2007/09/27 15:42:44
Wbhelp.dll 2007/07/11 14:06:07
Wbui.dll 2007/11/05 20:20:05
Tray.dll 2007/09/12 17:58:21
Wbload.dll 2007/09/12 17:58:28
Screen.exe 2007/09/26 11:53:52
windowblinds
1,732 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Oh, and is there any other official product support for Stardock products besides this forum? The Support section doesn't have any helpful information, and the Contact Us form seems to be only for purchasing info and that sort of thing.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Here's the link for the Stardock Support mail form:

WWW Link

Top field "Type of Question" is a drop down menu with "Support" listed in it.

Maybe somebody else here can help you with your actual issue, but I wouldn't be the guy. Good luck.
TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks Dave, I'll try that next.

Now I think I've figured out what WindowBlinds is doing to cause the color problem:

When WB applies the color scheme in the .uis file for a given skin, it doesn't apply it properly. For example, the .uis file for one of my skins specifies the following:

[Colours]
Scrollbar=102 102 102
Background=206 211 188
ActiveTitle=168, 183, 196
InactiveTitle=103 105 94
TitleText=47 44 40
InactiveTitleText=206 211 188

WB will change the system color scheme to assign the following RGB values for these elements:

Scrollbar - R=102, G=102, B=102
Background - R=206, G=211, B=211
Active Title Bar - R=168, G=183, B=183
Inactive Title Bar - R=103, G=105, B=105
Active Title Bar Text - R=47, G=44, B=44
Inactive Title Bar Text - R=206, G=211, B=211

As you can see, while the skins are providing the proper color values, WindowBlinds is applying the same value for the Green color value as the Blue color value, leading to radically different colors.

(I actually caught it doing this "in the act" by modifying the .uis file for one of my skins, setting the Desktop color to bright green, RGB 0,255,0; when I applied the skin, the desktop was cyan, with an RGB value of 0,255,255.)

So, I now know what WindowBlinds is doing to cause this problem. Now my question is, how do I fix it?



Incidentally, I got the tray icon to display quite by accident when I discovered that the installer app WBInstall64.exe was still running, even after many restarts. I killed the process and got a message saying I had to reboot my computer before installation would be complete. I rebooted, now the tray icon displays normally, and WBInstall64.exe is no longer running.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Correction: I tried reinstalling again, and I lost my taskbar icon again. Now I can't unload WB at all, and there doesn't appear to be a setting to disable it starting up with Windows. Now the only way I can disable it is to uninstall it.

Are there any actual Stardock tech support people on this forum, or is it just for users to help one another?