Taskbar turns gray and featureless, no start button

from Stardock Forums

    I have been using windowblinds for about a year now with no major problems,  but about a week ago the whole thing got really glitchy.  My taskbar is just a solid block of gray with no visible buttons (the start button still works, its just invisible).  Also, the frames of the windows don't quite fit together right.  There are small cracks where i can see between the window and the toolbars at the top.  These problems only exist for custom themes. When I set it to the Aero theme, everything looks fine. I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling, but this does not help.  If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.  Here is my info:

 

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.9
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 5.9

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.1 (build 273 x86 - Vista Edition) - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(Dell SE198WFP(Analog)) 1 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series         

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
3,295 views 12 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

It happens with all non-aero skins.  Also, visual changes that I make to the aero skins are not applied.

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

-Launch Impulse. Right click while holding Shift on the entry for the application and choose "Verify Installation"

-Impulse will check the integrity of the installed application. You should be given feedback as to the state of the installed application.

-If errors are found, an update should be made available in Impulse. This is not an update to a newer version, but simply Impulse using the update mechanism to replace corrupted files.

-Once the update completes, reboot your PC.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Not a tech person, but what happend last week?  Did you do any updating, like maybe video drivers or install any new software?

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WindowBlinds 7.1 (build 273 x86 - Vista Edition) - 64 bit OS
End of quote

x86? Might be just because it's Vista......

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My video card driver was actually out of date when the problem began.  I have since updated the driver,  but the problem continues.  As far as this being caused by vista,  this wasn't an issue before and I don't see why it would be now.  If you could elaborate,  I would certainly appreciate it.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm on Windows 7 so it may be the difference........your's say x86 but it also says 64 bit OS.....seems to me it should say x64 or nothing at all like mine. I'm just guessing but maybe one of the updates tried to apply the 32 bit version.....don't know.....Neil's the developer so he would know.

 

MINE...........

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.9
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 7.5

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 ATI Radeon HD 4870   
(Generic PnP Monitor) 2 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 4870   

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         2010/05/20 16:47:02
Wbload.exe         2010/02/02 15:33:18
Wbhelp.dll         2009/10/07 16:35:07
Tray.dll              2009/10/21 10:13:19
Wbload.dll              2010/06/07 15:10:25
Screen.exe         2010/04/01 17:39:26

It could also be some kind of conflict with another customization software or something else you may have recently installed.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

I see your point.  My program files folder is x86.  I don't know if that's relevant or not.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't mean to complain, but I paid out my hard-earned money for this program and it would be great to get some tech support.  Is there anyone there at stardock who can help me out?

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't mean to complain, but I paid out my hard-earned money for this program and it would be great to get some tech support. Is there anyone there at stardock who can help me out?
End of quote

Have you submitted a ticket at support@stardock.com ?