Explorer window will not load

from Stardock Forums

SO i've had WB7 installed for a while, got all the latest updates thru impulse but haven't used WB in quite some time.  So i loaded up impulse today, didn't show any updates so i thought i'd give it a try again.  Loaded up a random win7 skin, then tried to open an explorer window.  It opened up completely blank with the timer going, and the hard drive light would continuously be working.  So i waited figuring it was just gonna take a few seconds cause i haven't loaded it in a while, after about 5 minutes, still nothing.  I tried killing explorer.exe and loading it again, same thing, no explorer window.  I tried about 6 other skins, same thing with each one.  So then i uninstalled, rebooted, reinstalled, tested again, same thing.  WTF is going on?

The hard drive light will blink rapidly when an explorer window is open but it will be blank with the timer, and it shows no signs of stopping, so it's not skin related and i already reinstalled, what else is left short of a format?

 

Here is my info.

 

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.2
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 6.6

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.1 (build 273 - Windows 7 Edition) - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS

Wblind.dll         2010/06/07 15:10:20
Wblind64.dll         2010/06/07 15:10:52
Wbsrv.dll         2010/06/07 15:10:56
SevenConfig.exe         2010/06/07 15:10:02
Wbload.exe         2010/04/01 17:40:18
Wbhelp.dll         2010/04/01 17:40:07
Tray.dll              2010/04/01 17:40:19
Wbload.dll              2010/06/07 15:10:25
Screen.exe         2010/04/01 17:39:26

windowblinds
9,388 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Does the same thing occur if you don't apply a skin though WBs and use the default GUI?

I'm running Object Desktop on a Win 7 64 bit system also with no problems. 

Just to make sure I understand, the WB applied okay, is that correct?

If you can post a screenshot that might help also.  Looking at what you are getting might help someone provide an answer to you problem.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

i'm not really sure what you mean by the default gui.  I open WB7.. choose the skin and click apply.  The skin DOES apply correctly, everything looks as it should, but when i open an explorer window (computer, docs etc..) i get a skinned window, but blank with the timer and HD light never ending as if it's doing something.  I would post a screenshot but at the moment i have it uninstalled, until i figure out what to do with it.  I didn't think a screenshot was necessary because as I said, the skin applies correctly, even the explorer window itself applies correctly (although the min/max/close buttons are non functional) and the main part of the window is completely white, with timer going.

WB7 worked fine last time i used it.. but since it's been "hibernating" without use, it's now not working, no idea why.

But aside from reinstalling, anything else i can do?

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

From what you say if doesn't sound like a WBs problem more like a hard drive problem.

Default gui is the normal Windows 7 interface.  Open up WindowBlinds and scroll to the left and apply Windows Aero.  Does the same problem happen when you open an explore window?

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Nah it's not a hard drive issue, Aero as well as other msstyles work perfectly fine in win7, i've tried several in fact after this happened with WB today.  It's most definitely a WB issue, or something causing WB to act like this, but 100% not a hard drive issue.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That does sound strange for WBs to act that way.

Do have any other desktop customizing software on the computer that might not be compatible with WBs?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

only stardock products, iconpackager etc..   I have a modded uxtheme.dll file so that i'm able to use custom msstyles, however that would have no bearing on this issue as i've had the same modded file forever and WB used to work fine.  So i'm really at a loss here, I don't know how to make WB usable again.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You mention that you uninstalled, rebooted and reinstalled, I'm taking that was WBs.  You did that using Impulse?  Did you run a clean up program like CCleaner before rebooting?

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

yeah it was through impulse.  I didn't run any cleaner program but i guess i could, i remember a few admins around here saying that it's a useless step as uninstalling and reinstalling is sufficient, but who knows.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well sometimes there can be a some left over stuff so that's why I do run CCleaner.  I even run the Registry tool also.

If you do the uninstall, clean up, reboot and reinstall and it still has the problem something is sure going on.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Messing around with the registry can totally hose your machine, be very careful with that. I just don't buy into this "CCleaner is a magical fix-all tool" nonsense.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Bebi, reply 10
Messing around with the registry can totally hose your machine, be very careful with that. I just don't buy into this "CCleaner is a magical fix-all tool" nonsense.
End of Bebi's quote

Bebi you are very correct, using any tool to clean up your system should be done with caution. 

Any good registry cleaner allows you to create a restore point so you can always go back if something gets eliminated that shouldn't have.  I usually clean the registry once a week when doing scans.  I have yet to have a problem. :sun:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have used Ccleaner for a long time and it has never rid of something in the registry that it wasn't suppose to. It does give you the option to backup the registry keys it finds invalid before it actually removes them.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Heigar, reply 12
I have used Ccleaner for a long time and it has never rid of something in the registry that it wasn't suppose to. It does give you the option to backup the registry keys it finds invalid before it actually removes them.
End of Heigar's quote

Good to see you Heigar...my DX is getting old.......:-"      ;)

 

How is that blind coming along? Any updates for me?

 

I agree...CCleaner is a good tool.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm just going out on a limb here to ask a questions that's yet to be asked... do you have the latest WB update? <_<

I personally, don't see how it could affect anything, but you never know. There's always that system restore tool that everybody goes on about... :ninja:

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting bubbabyte, reply 15
yeah, it probably wasn't asked because it's in my details in the first post
End of bubbabyte's quote

Well uh... you know.. I uh... hmm... I'm not good with version numbers. There's like... too many of 'em and stuff. :p

Plus, I completely overlooked that sentence about Impulse not showing any updates.

I guess it's time to scrub the hard drive and re-install windows, as the problem obviously can't be fixed...

(I give bad advice, don't listen to me)

:rofl:

No really, I have no idea what could be wrong. The only thing I could suggest is using system restore.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

I think i got it fixed.. thanks for all the help guys.

I did an afc /scannow this morning and it found 2 files and corrected them, rebooted and all is working well now.

 

Thanks again.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sooner or later that would have been suggested.  :-" (afc....thought it was sfc)

Glad everything is working again for you.  :sun: