My visual styles won't load

Using WB7 and XP SP3

from Stardock Forums

Hi all. I have a problem with loading my visual styles. They simply won't load when I hit "apply changes" and my theme always gows back to "classic" style. I tried stoping and restarting the theme service but that didn't do anything. Anyone have any suggestions? I am using an authentic, paid version of Windowblinds 7 and Windows XP SP3. Thanks in advance.

windowblinds
6,448 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Did it just start doing this?

Did you intall WBs using Impulse?

Open up WBs and copy and paste your system information here.  Maybe a file got messed up.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Ok. Here is the info:

 

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.0 (build 80 x86)

WindowBlinds is not installed correctly on this PC.  If you did not reboot after installing WindowBlinds 7 for the first time, then please reboot and try this again.Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(Default Monitor) 1 is attached to ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000/9100 IGP

Wblind.dll         2009/11/18 11:37:20
Wbsrv.dll         2009/10/07 13:35:18
SevenConfig.exe         2009/11/12 09:16:53
Wbload.exe         2009/11/06 10:44:12
Wbhelp.dll         2009/10/07 13:35:07
Wbui.dll         2009/10/07 13:35:05
Tray.dll              2009/10/21 07:13:19
Screen.exe         2009/11/07 10:39:26

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Oh. I have rebooted my computer after initial installation. Yes, I downloaded Windowblinds using impulse and it was working fine for a few hours. then, it just happened.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Since you have rebooted now copy and past the system information again.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

That is the information after I rebooted. I installed windowblinds yesterday.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

try this.......

using Impulse uninstall > reboot > disable anti-spyware/virus > re-install > reboot > make sure to re-enable anti-spyware/virus

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WindowBlinds is not installed correctly on this PC. If you did not reboot after installing WindowBlinds 7 for the first time, then please reboot and try this again.Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.
End of quote

If that is what is showing after a reboot then I would suggest opening WB, set it to default then uninstall WB using Impulse.  Run a clean up program like CCleaner and then reboot.  I would also suggest turning of your A/V and security programs, something certain ones cause a problem.  Reinstall using Impulse and then reboot.  Check your system information to make sure it installed correctly and then turn back on the security stuff.

Hopefully that corrects the problem.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Right click Windowblinds 7 in Impulse. Choose "verify installation". When and if it says Windowblinds is not installed correctly, it will also tell you to look for updates. Do this, in Impulse. It should reinstall Windowblinds and ask you to reboot. Upon reboot, all should be fixed.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

So I tried the verify installation and updating; that didn't work. I treid uninstallin, cleaning up afterwards and re-installing without anti-virus on; that didn't work. Anyone have any ideas?

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You just joined , did you just buy Windowblinds 7 and did you get it through Impulse? Have you downloaded any themes, or did you just try the ones that come with windowblinds?

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

I purchased Windowblinds 7 at stardock.com. I downloaded and installed through impulse. I have downloaded a few themes from xpthemes.com. I have it installed on another computer and it is working fine. Initially, it was working fine on this computer. Then for whatever reason, today it just did not want to work anymore. ???

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting slash8789, reply 11
I purchased Windowblinds 7 at stardock.com. I downloaded and installed through impulse. I have downloaded a few themes from xpthemes.com. I have it installed on another computer and it is working fine. Initially, it was working fine on this computer. Then for whatever reason, today it just did not want to work anymore. ???
End of slash8789's quote

xpthemes. Don't they mostly have visual styles? Do they have windowblinds?

Regular visual styles won't work with windowblinds. Did you apply a visual style and then try to run a windowblind?

Most visual styles require that you hack the windows system files via a patch or a program like StyleXp, etc. These do not work with windowblinds.

I hope this info helps you.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

xpthemes.com has everything from bootskins to entire suites of themes. I download the visual styles designed specifically for window blinds. There is no patching or hacking required. I download and install the wba file through windowblinds. Like I have said, everything was working fine for a few hours and then caput.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hmmm, at first I thought it might be because you downloaded from XPTHEMES.com, but then I went there and I notice that every single download I tried is hot linked to WinCustomize.com.  So although that is HIGHLY unethical (without permission of course), then it probably was nothing in the way of a virus or such that you got from there. You might try emailing Stardock support directly on this one.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hmmm, at first I thought it might be because you downloaded from XPTHEMES.com, but then I went there and I notice that every single download I tried is hot linked to WinCustomize.com. So although that is HIGHLY unethical (without permission of course), then it probably was nothing in the way of a virus or such that you got from there. You might try emailing Stardock support directly on this one.
End of quote

Xpthemes is a mirror site for Wincustomize/Stardock.

Read this: https://forums.wincustomize.com/307350

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks 2of3, I did not know that.  I wonder why they bother keeping it open?  :rolleyes:

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I wonder why they bother keeping it open?
End of quote

For those who are searching... :wc:

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

http://www.vistathemes.com/ is also ours.  There are a few of these we have, keeps the awareness up with searching.