Windows 7... anyone?

I have just tried Deskapes under Windows 7 (64 bits) unfortunately all I got was a dialog stating that Desktop Windows Manager is not running.... tried to find it in Administrative Tools->Services but it seems the process was renamed or otherwise replaced by something else in Windows 7... so, no Dreams... snif... snif.

Is this only me?

40,724 views 72 replies
Reply #1 Top

Due to the early beta nature of Windows 7, many of our current products may not work with it at this point as we do not support it yet.  When Windows 7 is released, we will update our products if possible.

Reply #2 Top

Good news:  The service still exists in Windows 7.  It's full name is the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager.

Bad News: even if the service is running on Windows 7, DeskScapes will still throw this error.  There will be updates coming down the pipes that will add Windows 7 compatibility, but for right now...we wait.

Reply #3 Top

I did found this service... and as you say, even if it is running Deskscapes would not work. I completely understand that Windows 7 is beta software and that SD has more than enough coding to do just to keep their software without bugs & to prepare for new releases... it's not that I would demand it to work with Windows 7. As a matter of fact, I found that many of your products (like ObjectDock+ & ObjectDesktop Ultimate) are working... some better some not at all...

Just consider me an early beta tester if you want. If you ever do launch a Windows 7 beta program I will surely be more than happy to contribute.

Reply #4 Top

Make no mistake; many, if not all of the Object Desktop applications will be updated for Windows 7.  Just right now they don't always work so great.  We're more than happy to hear how people are getting things working on Win 7, we just want everyone to understand that stuff's probably going to be broken in the begining, until you see the new betas rolling out.

Reply #5 Top

I have solved the problem.

press start, and in serch write aero. Choose " fix ......  "

Then download "DreamScene_Win7" and "run as administrator".

 

Reply #6 Top

Sorry, but I did not get it... could you be a bit more specific? What about DreamScene_Win7... a link maybe? Is this something from SD?

Quoting aaraujo46, reply 5
I have solved the problem.

press start, and in serch write aero. Choose " fix ......  "

Then download "DreamScene_Win7" and "run as administrator".
 
End of aaraujo46's quote

Reply #7 Top

DreamScene_Win7 would be some sort of pirated copy of the Ultimate Extra DreamScenes as provided as an ultimate extra for Windows Vista Ultimate owners.

Reply #8 Top

Let me get this right...

I download the "You guess is as good as mine" patch and run it as Administrator (always a great idea) and it is going to work?

Not to put too fine of a point on it but, well...

Do I look stupid?

Reply #9 Top

Better wait until SD releases some beta!

Reply #11 Top

Hummm, I'm running Vista x64 and am having an error pop up when ever I try to use a dream that does transisions complaining that service UxSms needs to be running. If I pull up taskmanager and check services it is running. When I run services.msc my service for UxSms is also called "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager". I know several other posters have claimed to have the same problem with the latest version of Deskscape so I wonder if the Win7 fix will also be needed for those of us having this issue in Vista. Sure hope there's an update soon

Reply #12 Top

I'm running Vista x64 and am having an error pop up when ever I try to use a dream that does transitions complaining that service UxSms needs to be running. If I pull up taskmanager and check services it is running.
End of quote

Unfortunately, just because the service is running doesn't necessarily mean that it will work for DeskScapes.  There are several factors that can make uxsms seem like it's not running.

You will first want to go to Start->Start Search and type services.msc. Once there, be sure the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager service is running and the startup type is set to automatic.

The most common issue with DeskScapes not running is not having a Windows Vista Experience rating.  This is how Windows Vista determines if your machine is able to handle the visual enhancements build into itself, and many of the options will be disabled or run with limited functionality without it.  To run the Windows Experience Index rating, right clicking on "Computer" and select "Properties".  Once you do this, click on the "Windows Experience Index" and in the dialog that comes up, select "Update my score".  This will make Windows Vista update your rating and should allow you to apply the Aero theme, as well as run your application correctly (If you have Vista Home Basic, the "Windows Vista" theme will also work).

To make sure the correct theme is enabled:

-Right click on your desktop, choose personalize.
-Click on Themes
-From the drop down menu, choose 'Windows Vista', then click apply and OK. (NOTE: If you have WindowBlinds themes applied, you can reapply them after this.)

If that still does not allow you to display .dreams, please try the following:

-Click the Start orb
-Right click on Computer, select properties
-In the tasks pane on the left, select 'Advanced system settings'
-Click the 'Settings' button in the 'Performance' section
-Check 'Enable Desktop Composition' from the list
-Click 'Apply', then 'OK'
-Click the 'Settings' button to be sure that is still enabled. If it is not, please go back and make sure that the Vista theme is set by the instructions above.

Reply #13 Top

okay well I'll address things 1 by 1

1. The service is set to Automatic and is always running

2. I have a rating, its 5.9

3. I have Areo/Windows Vista theme applied

4. I have "Enable Desktop Composition" checked, actually have every option checked hehe

Regular dreams run just fine, its only the themes that use transitions, time of day controlled changes such as Denali and Blissful Dream , that give me an error concerning Usxms mssg.

EDIT: There is another thread that also discusses this problem on Vista systems,  https://forums.wincustomize.com/312094/page/1/#replies , for some rolling back to an earlier version of dreamscape solved the problem but in my case I don't have an earlier version available to test that as a solution

Reply #14 Top

Whit the anouncement of Windows 7 RC are there any news on upcoming betas that support Windows 7?

Reply #15 Top

Then download "DreamScene_Win7" and "run as administrator".
End of quote

Is this a dreamscene hack to run dreamscene on Windows 7 just like there was a hack to run .wmv or .mpeg on Vista versions other than Ultimate.

Even if it is, I dont feel it would be able to run .dreams just like it was with other Vista versions.

Reply #16 Top

Hi everyone,

 

I'm using Windows 7 (64bits) since several months now. Therefore I am not using Deskscapes, because I cannot.

It's really sad that Impulse cannot proceed to the installation : "This program is not compatible with your current operating system.".

Technically speaking, I'm not an expert but from what I now, aero is pretty much the same as in Vista.

I think the installer is checking for the OS version and stopping right there because it simply doesn't know the Windows 7 version.

Something like "System.Environment.OSVersion.Version.xxx == 6.yyy " ? If it's that simple, it's really too bad not to do something about it in several months. Basically you're just pissing off customers.

Another possibility is that developers can't make Deskscapes working on Windows 7 ? Really ? Just told us if so, at least we'll know you're working on it, aren't you ?

Last thing I'm thinking of is something regarding legal issues with Microsoft. Windows 7 is now in RC and Microsoft already detailed the various Windows 7 Editions they will sell. I don't see any issue because it will be similar as Vista : only Windows 7 Ultimate will have extras, like Windows Vista Ultimate.

 

Anyway a word from Stardock would be great about this...

Reply #17 Top

Can ppl not read??? Stardocks is not supporting Windows 7 yet even if it might be a quick easy fix to make it work right now,

I dont blame them at all for waiting till after final release...

I have been running Win7 for many months and would be (way more upset) if they made a quick fix for Dream to work on win7 only to have everything go to hell where i might not even be able to bootup or worse just because i installed a quick fix 

 Microsoft will be adding many patchs, changes to the coding and the way things are handled down the road, and because i coldnt wait for some extra eye candy i wind up doing a re-install of Win7 "no thanks"

 

RC is still to early Maybe after RTM or GA

 

Reply #18 Top

It's really sad that Impulse cannot proceed to the installation : "This program is not compatible with your current operating system.".
End of quote

This is done intentionally.  DeskScapes is one of those apps that simply does not work yet on Windows 7.  You'll constantly get that uxsms error and there is nothing that can be done to fix it with the current release.

Technically speaking, I'm not an expert but from what I now, aero is pretty much the same as in Vista.
End of quote

They are similar, but not the same, but this really doesn't have much to do with DeskScapes, as it runs on XP too w/out Aero.

I think the installer is checking for the OS version and stopping right there because it simply doesn't know the Windows 7 version.

Something like "System.Environment.OSVersion.Version.xxx == 6.yyy " ? If it's that simple, it's really too bad not to do something about it in several months. Basically you're just pissing off customers.
End of quote

See above.  It's checked intentionally so people don't end up with a non-working install.

Another possibility is that developers can't make Deskscapes working on Windows 7 ? Really ? Just told us if so, at least we'll know you're working on it, aren't you ?
End of quote

Look for updates to several of the Object Desktop apps in the coming months as the developers add Windows 7 support.  Although I cannot say for sure at this time, it is more than likely that there will be a version of DeskScapes for Windows 7.

Reply #19 Top

Quoting Shirley, reply 18


This is done intentionally.  DeskScapes is one of those apps that simply does not work yet on Windows 7.  You'll constantly get that uxsms error and there is nothing that can be done to fix it with the current release.

End of Shirley's quote

Sadly, with the latest version of Deskscape, 2.5, the same problem exists with Vista x64 when one tries to run a dream that is designed with transitions. Whenever you run a transitions dream and the time for it to change comes around you get the infamous uxsms mssg. I can live with waiting for a Win 7 compatible version, its something you just have to deal with when it comes to working with beta OS's. Personally though, I don't think it excuses them for not fixing the problem they introduced on Vista x64 & 2.5 now. I have several Dreams I actually bought that use transitions and they are totally useless with version 2.5 of deskscape. I've usually been very happy with Stardock and its support but their inaction and lack of comment on this particular issue is rather fustraiting. I wouldn't mind if it was some problem with just my system but a lot of other's are having the same problem and I think we at least deserve some sort of official response form Stardock on the matter at least.

Reply #20 Top

Sadly, with the latest version of Deskscape, 2.5, the same problem exists with Vista x64 when one tries to run a dream that is designed with transitions. Whenever you run a transitions dream and the time for it to change comes around you get the infamous uxsms mssg.
End of quote

This is not normal in Vista 64 bit. I have absolutly no problem running a dream with transitions in Vista Ultimate 64. Here's one I created that works fine.  Denali (Triggered) 

Reply #21 Top

Jess: Run through the steps listed in post # 12.  Does it still give the error?  If so, drop us a line at support@stardock.com

Reply #22 Top

If you look at my post #13 you will see I did all of that. I'll send a report to support but last time I just got no reply :(

To Carguy1: Denali is one of the ones that fails for me. I'll give it another shot today and leave it running all day but am not holding out hope :)

By the way Carguy, I have your gallery especially bookmarked as I LOVE your work,hehe

Reply #23 Top

Shirley -> Thanks for the answer, and sorry about my aggressive tone

 

Something to check (+blog) : http://www.withinwindows.com/uxtheme-patches/

Reply #24 Top

Okay I give up LOL. for the longest time Triggered dreams wouldn't work for me period. Then the other day I noticed over on MSDN that the official release version of SP2 for Vista was out so I dl and installed it. Anyway now when I use a triggered dream they work just fine. Have no idea what the problem was, maybe I had a hinky file or something in the SP2 fixed a file but now they work so I'm going to go hide LOL.

Reply #25 Top

If you look at my post #13 you will see I did all of that. I'll send a report to support but last time I just got no reply
End of quote

*slaps head* missed that, sorry.  What was the support ticket number? I'll look into it.  Everything still working after installing SP2?