Only the included styles are working

and the random wallpaper feature doesn't work

from Stardock Forums

Hi, I just purchased Windowblinds today. I have tried bunches of WB styles downloaded from WinCustomize and DeviantArt even some designed by Stardock. The only ones that work are the ones that came bundled with WB.

Also, I set up the Wallpaper feature to change my wallpaper on every logon, but whenever I log on, I just have a blank desktop with no wallpaper at all.

Here's some system info:

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.3 (build 69 x86)

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

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

Wblind.dll         2008/10/31 14:23:20
Wbsrv.dll         2008/09/22 16:59:42
Wbconfig.exe         2008/11/18 15:02:54
Wbload.exe         2008/04/28 11:35:14
Wbhelp.dll         2008/04/28 11:35:07
Wbui.dll         2008/04/28 11:35:05
Tray.dll              2008/04/28 11:35:21
Screen.exe         2008/07/22 10:10:09

 

I'm running XP Home SP3. As was suggested on other threads, I've uninstalled/reinstalled through Impulse with my antivirus off. That didn't help.

Thanks to anyone who can help me troubleshoot. My luck that I decided to play around with this when the support staff is on vacation. :-)

windowblinds
4,130 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I was going to ask if you had the free version loaded, but a uninstall and reinstall would take care of that.  You have the same set up as I do with the same video card.

Between the uninstall and reinstall did you run a clean up program like CCleaner and then reboot?  Also did you reset WB back to default before uninstalling?  Lastly did you reboot one more time after reinstalling?

The wallpaper changer does at times act as though it has a mind of it's own.  It does work for me.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks. I did have the free version at first. But, I uninstalled that. Not sure I ran a registry cleaner in between. I did run it at some point in the process.

I did unload WB before uninstalling. And yes, I have rebooted since reinstalling.

I'd really like the wallpaper changer to work, but I can always get a 3rd party app to do that. My main issue is the styles. That's why I bought the program after all.

Any other ideas to try short of doing the whole uninstall/install thing again?

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This may sound like a silly question, but you are downloading WindowBlinds skins?

 Give a link to one that doesn't work.  The reason for that question is normally when you download a WB skin it self installs.  You can then open up WB configuration and see it there.  You are seeing the ones you are download there, right?

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes! ;)

I am downloading WB skins. At first I thought maybe the skins were too old and not compatible with the new version, but that isn't it. Here are examples of ones that don't work.

https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=6681&libid=1
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=6567&libid=1

These are recently updated and one is even by Stardock. I download, double-click the .wba file, it installs fine, and I can see it with its sample image in Windowblinds. However, if I double click it or right-click and say "Apply this skin now" absolutely nothing happens. The screen doesn't go blurry and come back with the new skin. Just nothing happens at all. If I apply one of the pre-installed skins like "Aero Metal" or "Diamond", it works perfectly.

It's a puzzlement!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Hey Rachelj.

 

Just a thought, make sure your downloaded style folder is in the same WB folder as the ones that work.

Then open the non- working style folder and make sure that there isn't just an example image and another folder there.

If there is, then copy everything in that second folder and put it in the one that has the example image.

In other words I think WB only opens the one folder and not the second one.

I'm not sure where the folder is on XP I'm on Vista.

 

Greg

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think you are going to have to email support@stardock.com and seek help.  I just looked at my dates and times on my system info for the same version you are showing and only a couple of them match. There can be reasons for different dates and times,  Support should be able to help you out.

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the tips...

I did check on the skins folder and everything looked good.

I tried uninstalling, rebooting, cleaning the registry and deleting the skins folder, rebooting, reinstalling with antivirus turned off, rebooting.

Still have the same problem. X(

I did email support, but since they are on vacation, I figured I'd try the forum. I'm sure it will get sorted out eventually.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

just to be sure...

 

is WB installed to default path (C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds if installed as part of Object Desktop) or other path?

 

are the skins installed in default path (C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds) or other path?

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi Bichur. Yes... those are the right paths. All the files are in the right places.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

possible AV blocking?

 

permissions issure? admin or limited user account?

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

I turned off antivirus and it didn't help. It is an account with admin privileges.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
what AV?
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

i think you're gonna have to wait for Support on this one

 

sorry...