Why can't I apply a skin?

from Stardock Forums

Forgive my naivete/stupidity, but I just downloaded the shareware of WB and can't seem to apply a skin. For some skins it acts like it's going to, pausing and everything, but then ends up forgetting to apply it. It doesn't crash and I've tried applying different skins with different results - the Goblet of Fire skin (which a commenter said worked on Vista with no probs, despite the description saying it wouldn't), just pauses and does nothing. The CupidsAero comes up with a dialog box asking me to convert to the full version ("per pixel skinning restricted in Shareware" - what does that mean?).

I have no problem with converting, but was under the impression that at least something would work with the shareware. Can I not apply skins unless I buy the full version? The best I got was having my Vista settings swiped and thrown back to this Godawful Windows Classic theme. Arrg!

I don't know if this helps, but this is my system info:

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 3
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 3

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.4 (build 73 x86) - Shareware

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to ATI Radeon X1250

Wblind.dll         2009/02/06 10:45:ll
Wbsrv.dll         2009/02/10 13:54:07
Wbconfig.exe         2009/02/10 13:13:20
Wbload.exe         2008/04/26 15:14:14
Wbhelp.dll         2008/04/26 15:14:07
Tray.dll              2008/04/26 15:14:21
Wbload.dll              2008/03/12 16:11:28
Screen.exe         2008/07/22 15:42:31

I'm a bit gutted as some of these skins are really wicked :( Please help...!

windowblinds
1,430 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Did you reboot after installing WB?
If not, try it. :)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Will none of the skins that came with the trial version apply? 

Also keep in mind that the Trial version does not have all the functions available as the full version does so some skins when applied will not look like thier thumbnail picture.

Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Failure of WB's to apply a skin, especially if it just changes everything to ugly 'Windows Classic'  can be caused by extra 'security' apps, like SpyBot, AdAware and the like. Even some anti-virus applications can have their own 'spybot' functions, and Firewall settings.

Check your system (SysTray) for any of these 'watcher' type programs and try to turn them off. Also, in Vista you might try turning UAC off.

 

 

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hi everyone,

Rebooting and turning off AVG & Ad-Aware while reinstalling did work (*facepalm moment*)...well, sort of. The themes did apply, but some other things like wallpapers etc and some other widgets with Desktop X weren't quite happening. These might be some individual probs I've got concerning each theme, but for the most part, at least it's applying 60-70% of the content of each theme. Better than nothing :) Thanks, though!

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

JuliaJolie do you just have WindowBlinds or did you get Object Desktop? 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I do have Object Desktop, but just Desktop X (I wanted to try out the free version and thought - correctly?/incorrectly? - that getting the whole OD package wasn't), and Windows Blinds separately.

I guess for now I'm just happy with the fact that it works at all - I seem to be having issues with how the themes are applied, but I should start tinkering/exploring before I ask for any more help. I'm just happy it's got off to a working start :)