Stardock Plays Stupid - Need Help!

from Stardock Forums

Hello everyone,

Let me first say that I already contacted support. They were rude to me, told me it wasn't their problem, told me to pay someone else to fix it, then called it case closed. So needless to say, they weren't any help at all. I'm hoping the community can give me some help.

Here is a brief explanation of the problem I am having:

When Windows XP starts up, it will get into Windows, but then nothing will work. For example, if I open Internet Explorer, it will hang and won't open. Same with any other program. When I try to open Process Explorer, it does open, but takes some time to open. So to me, it's like programs take forever to open, and some not at all. The computer also hangs a lot, and becomes unresponsive. It won't even let me shut down the computer, when I try to shut down, the computer will close everything down, leaving only the wallpaper showing. The only way for me to turn the computer off at this point, is to unplug it.

Something else about this, is that it happens randomly. Sometimes the computer will start up, and everything will be fine. Other times it will start up, and I will get this problem.

I have Windowblinds and Mycolors installed only, at the moment. I'm using Windows XP with Service Pack 3, and all the updates, so I'm all updated. My computer is running fine, except for this of course, and I know that it's either Windowblinds or mycolors that does this, because the computer doesn't do this when I don't have them. The reason why I have both, is because I bought themes from Mycolors.

Can someone help me out? I don't know what to do to fix it.

windowblinds
3,852 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Open Windowblinds, go to About Windowblinds, or system info, if you're not using the new beta. There you will find info about your system and windowblinds. Copy that info and post it here.

I doubt Stardock Support was rude.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There are many many many people who have WB and My Colors on their rigs and have no problems. Copy and paste the system info from the WB Config window on your reply. This problem sounds like something else. Have you got any "bad things" on the rig. Infections. Registry clean? Defragged? You say it's only with WB running. Is it a legal copy? Did you purchase it from Stardock? Hacked copies often have bad things in them.

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm using Windows XP
End of quote
Aha...there's your problem.:-"

 Seriously though,before MyColors and WB's did you install any "style packs" or other customizing software?  Some info about your rig may help also. What cpu,graphics card and amount of ram do you have?

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bad RAM. Too much opening at boot.

Stardock's always been great with me, and NEVER rude.

Maybe, just maybe the problem isn't their software....

 

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 Altho WB and Mycolors can conflict, doesn't sound like it here, sounds more like some malware or the likes eating your ram like chocolate easter bunnies, :d

I'd suggect removing wb and mycolors if you believe thats the main problem, see how it acts. Probably won't make a difference, Then I would run several diff spyware apps and a good AV scan, then remove anything starting at startup ( Run > msconfig > Startup tab )... that looks suspicious or you don't need starting at ur XP bootup.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

emove anything starting at startup ( Run > msconfig > Startup tab )... that looks suspicious or you don't need starting at ur XP bootup.
End of quote

Always a good idea to slim down the list of processes in the startup. It shaves sometimes minutes off your startup time

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

What is your trouble ticket number?

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Altho WB and Mycolors can conflict, doesn't sound like it here, sounds more like some malware or the likes eating your ram like chocolate easter bunnies
End of quote

my thoughts as well.......sounds somewhat like the gain spyware.......

try SUPERANTI-SPYWARE (free home version) it should help track down your nasty.....

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

being told the truth isnt rude, maybe you should get your facts straight before blaming stardock for every little thing that goes wrong with yr pc

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sometimes, when cultrures are different, directness may be mis-understood as rudeness. 

I'd start removing (uninstalling) apps until the system started working well and then report back.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Lack of response on his part seems fishy to me, maybe his rig is so infested with malware that he can't even post his info.  :-"

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

"Here is how it looks for me when I try to edit the Princess theme, is this normal:"

I would expect that if you have been attempting to edit a Mycolors theme you are going to have problems.

They are encrypted so that they cannot be altered/edited.

That quote above is from a previous post by you about a year ago.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

well one would be uninstall one then reboot and see if it fixes it.. then uninstall the other if not. if that dont fix it then it would be some other issue. ( which would be my guess).  if you can open task manager you should be able to see what is hogging up your resources.. and close the one dragging the PC down..

 

Also how many process are you running?.. having tons of stuff running in the back ground and few resources available IE( low amount of ram etc) will hamper performance.

 

I seriously doubt the SD support staff were rude. I have known the folks for a bit now and they have always been top notch in customer care and go above and beyond to help those with issues.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Guys, I don't think the OP is coming back.

 

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read your comment. I would guess that you are affiliated with Stardock in some kind of way? Sometimes comments from the Peanut Gallery are best kept to themselves. I realize you do a lot of skins, icons and other programs for Stardock but you shouldn't come to their defense so fast. " Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear  " By the way I have also turned support tickets into to Stardock and they were indeed rude. They may not be rude to you because you provide a service for them. Never become resolute in a dispute because you never know where it will lead. Someone could hand you your hat with your head still in it!!!I read a comment from another Stardock supporter saying he had been a member of Stardock's Forum for a decade, I don't believe they have been around that long? Always remember information is worth what you paid for it .....

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

besides checking all the things previous posters have advised...here is one that was guilty of slowing my pc down a lot...

 

open a window,go to tools,folder options,view...first one in Xp's list is 'always search for network folders and printers'

 

Unless your on a network,UNCHECK that...it can make a big difference.