DauntlessAnsible

Join Date 05/2008

+32

Fences - start menu program window opened after workstation unlocked

I recently installed Fences to try it out on my work PC.

Win XP Pro SP2
IE 7

Then, whenever I locked the workstation, a window Start Menu\Programs would be opened. When I unlocked, there the window sat, waiting for me. After I uninstalled Fences the problem went away.

I don't really need a fix or anything, I just wanted to toss the behavior out in the open so could be checked into.

Cheers.

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I have this same issue only I get two instances of the Start Menu->Programs folder. A friend of mine who uses Fences also reports this issue.

Also... minus two convenience points to Stardock for bundling Impulse with Fences in the latest downloads. If I wanted Impulse, I can download it separately, thanks.

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Have the same problem. If I lock the computer, I get 4 Start Menu\Programs would be opened.

Did not have this problem before the last upgrade.

Have uninstalled, several times, and removed all info on my XP about Fences, but the same problem just keep comming back if I reinstall.

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ya i saw up to 2 spawn. not a huge deal. if i needed fences or wanted it more it wouldnt even bother me.

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Same problem here. That window keeps opening all day long while I'm trying to work. Doesn't matter whether I lock my workstation or not, this window keeps popping open. If there's no update in a day or two I think I'll just call it quits with Fences. It's seriously irritating.

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Same issues here. Every time I lock and unlock, two Start Menu\Programs windows are opened.

Other data points:

Pressing ctrl-alt-del and then the cancel button (i.e. not actually locking the screen) does NOT trigger the bug.
Uninstalling Fences/Stardock immediately fixed the problem.
Upon reinstalling Fences/Stardock and rebooting, I got FOUR Start Menu\Programs windows after a lock/unlock, but now it's back to two.
After rebooting again, the first time I locked/unlocked, I got EIGHT Start Menu\Programs windows, but then it went back to two.
The first time I installed, I disabled Impulse from the tray icon. Tried to re-enable it for testing purposes but I don't see it listed in Services or msconfig.
This only started happening after the Fences "update" a couple days ago. This makes me suspect the newly-bundled Impulse program might be the culprit, but I can't uninstall that without uninstalling Fences too.
Running WinXP Professional SP2 + all hotfixes on x86 platform.
WORKAROUND: Using Windows-L to lock the screen instead of ctrl-alt-del followed by the Lock button does NOT trigger the bug.

Please fix this... it's very, very annoying. I lock my screen every time I leave my desk.

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Quoting schiec,

reply 1

Also... minus two convenience points to Stardock for bundling Impulse with Fences in the latest downloads. If I wanted Impulse, I can download it separately, thanks.

Completely agree. Disappointing move.

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I have used Impulse a LOT longer than Fences. It is not the issue. I am sure Impulse will handle the licesing and update of the final product. I have no problem with that what so ever. Impulse does not soak system resources except for a tiny bit of HD space. Plus it offers easy management of the Stardock apps. So +2 to SD for Impulse. Least we are even now.

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Quoting ce_,

reply 5

Same issues here. Every time I lock and unlock, two Start Menu\Programs windows are opened.

WORKAROUND: Using Windows-L to lock the screen instead of ctrl-alt-del followed by the Lock button does NOT trigger the bug.
Please fix this... it's very, very annoying. I lock my screen every time I leave my desk.

The "Windows button" + L works like a charm. Thanks.

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I've got the same problem here. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs Explorer window keeps popping up every time I use CTRL-ALT-DEL to lock my screen. This started happening after I updated my Impulse apps, including Fences, on 01-Sep-2009.

This is a major annoyance; any chance the developers can expedite a fix? I would really hate to uninstall what has (up til now) been a really great tool. Especially after I just renewed my Stardock subscription...

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I hate to chime in with just a "me too", but, well, me too.

I get two "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs" windows if I use CTRL+ALT+DEL to lock my screen.

I'm also annoyed that Impulse is bundled in. I like Impulse at home, but Fences (for me) is filling a very useful niche on a work machine and Impulse doesn't belong here. The fact that I can uninstall Impulse but keep Fences means that Impulse obviously doesn't have to be there. This should be a checkbox during the install - even if the check defaults to "Yes".

[Edit] I should add that these two windows have popped up twice now while I was actively using the computer, but I have no idea what's triggered that behavior.

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I've also encountered this issue after upgrading to Fences 0.99. Each time I lock my PC it opens a number of Programs start menu folders, I'll have to uninstall Fences, which is a real shame. I would appreciate knowing if/when this get's fixed so I can go back to using fences. I've been using it for over a year now and really enjoy it.

I'm also not sure why Impulse is now required, I tried to uninstall Impulse after noticing it - but uninstalling it from Add/Remove programs didn't seem to remove it. It still shows up in my system tray after startup, it's a bit annoying, I don't really like programs that I don't use running in the background.

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I am having the same issue, but only on 2 of my 3 machines. The only difference is 1 of the working machines is only accessed via remote desktop and the other uses the fancy Welcome screen in XP, so locking is done via the screensave mostly.

This issue will keep my from using Fences if not fixed.

I also agree Impulse should not be bundled. I have always loved and trusted Stardock, but Impulse in general is a move in the wrong direction.

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This has been confirmed and fixed internally. Expect an update soon through Impulse to fix.

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Quoting Shirley,

reply 13

This has been confirmed and fixed internally. Expect an update soon through Impulse to fix.

I hope this update is also provided as stand alone download. At least one of my PCs is at a location behind a firewall that specifically blocks Impulse so I cannot recieve updates. Impulse was such a bad idea.

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sweet! thank you SD. support you represent greatness.

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Quoting Shirley,

reply 13

This has been confirmed and fixed internally. Expect an update soon through Impulse to fix.

I love Fences and was glad to hear that this issue has been ID'd and internally fixed. This problem is extremly frustrating. Start UP program menus pop open - sometimes as many as four at a time - when I use CTRL-based keyboard commands in Outlook and most other windows programs. It's inconsistent and unpredictable and totally frustrating.

So I've vented. Now my question.

Can you provide any feedback on when we can expect the "fix" to be available? Please say it will be a matter of days and not weeks.

Thanks, in advance.

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Quoting Shirley,

reply 13

This has been confirmed and fixed internally. Expect an update soon through Impulse to fix.

I really apologize for being such a forum nag - especially with a (currently) free product - but this bug is costing me too much time spent closing the spurious windows that keep popping up. I really need to know when a fix will be available so that I can make a decision to either wait for it or deinstall and seek a more stable alternative.

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if its fixed internally, then they are going through qa. be patient unless you want a potentially less stable release to come out the door. its not like fences is a mission critical type of tool. its cool, its clever, but seriously... they probably have a larger release that will include other enhancements that it is waiting on.

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I appreciate your counsel and, of course, you're right. My only defense is that although Fences is not mission critical the time I waste closing windows is. To deinstall would mean additonal time and hassle PLUS getting used to a new desktop organizational system. I'll try to hold my tongue.

Cheers!

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i cant help but think of it from the qa perspective since that is what i do professionally. i ended up uninstalling the app until the fix is released. closing a few windows everytime i locked my pc was just too annoying for a cute tool that basically grouped icons.

im sure SD will have something for us soon.

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Any Idea when this fix is going to be released...it's killing me I have to turn off fences to do any work. Ctrl V will bring up 2 program folders almost everytime. I'm gonig nuts...took me forever to figure out what was causing it.

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Agreed and seconded. I am getting ready to deinstall Fences and blast StarDock on every message baord and blog I can think of. The amount of time I would spend doing it would certainly be lesss than what I spend closing all of these windows.

And anyone who wants to blast me for getting so hot over a cosmetic program can go pound sand.

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Simply put, being a free, beta application, it's not top priority, so updates may not be immediate. That said, the update should be coming in the next couple days, possibly even today.

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you guys are killing my thread.

your crap rant is worthless. as shirley pointed out, its a free app. a novelty. mediatech if you plan to blast SD, be sure you link back to this post. personally, im glad SD is spending more effort in upgrading Impulse and its core products.

thank you shirley for the update!

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Quoting DauntlessAnsible,

reply 24

you guys are killing my thread.

your crap rant is worthless. as shirley pointed out, its a free app. a novelty. mediatech if you plan to blast SD, be sure you link back to this post. personally, im glad SD is spending more effort in upgrading Impulse and its core products.

thank you shirley for the update!

I wasn't ranting I was just wondering when the update was coming out....fences rocks and I can't wait for the pro version. Looking forward to the update and the pro:)

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