Default (WB7) Skins lost

from Stardock Forums

Hi Everyone!

I just upgraded from Windowblinds 6.4 to 7.10 as I was sent a discount offer by Stardock, lol!

Over the weekend since this I had issues with skinning, mostly that there were lots of grey elements of Windows Classic coming through.  I finally fixed this by uninstalling WB 7, and by doing a system restore (XP) way back a week to a known good day for 6.4, verified my skins were displaying,  and I was able to then install 7 again via Impulse.  Since doing this today, everything is skinning properly.

Now that it works and everything is coloured correctly, I am SO reluctant to do anything else, to install/uninstall.  However in this process I have lost the new skins that come with WB 7, ie Cideral, Aero Metals, Clay and so on.  I had only empty folders left for these as I forgot to back them up and System Restore totalled them!  What is the quickest and safest way to repair this and get these skins again?  I thought Impulse had a validate application option, but if it does I can't see it now.  I am reluctant to remove WB 7 again and do a compete re-install for four or five skins, but I paid my money and I'd like to see them!! ;-)

TIA!

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.1 (build 90 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(AOC 2036) 1 is attached to Radeon 9600/X1050 Series (Omega 3.8.442)

Wblind.dll         2010/06/07 19:10:20
Wbsrv.dll         2010/04/01 21:40:56
SevenConfig.exe         2010/06/07 19:10:02
Wbload.exe         2010/04/01 21:40:18
Wbhelp.dll         2009/10/02 13:05:07
Wbui.dll         2009/10/02 13:05:05
Tray.dll              2010/04/01 21:40:19
Screen.exe         2010/06/07 19:10:43

 

 

windowblinds
6,202 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I thought Impulse had a validate application option, but if it does I can't see it now.
End of quote

In Impulse, hold the shift key and right click on the WB icon. That will give you the validate option.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Connect with Support and they might have a URL for you to download from. I'd make sure my email address and subscription info was in that email.

Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

However in this process I have lost the new skins that come with WB 7, ie Cideral, Aero Metals, Clay and so on.
End of quote

Those aren't "skins" per se. They are modified aero. Default Aero with texture applied. Do they even work with xp.....don't you have to have Aero to begin with? I'm sure someone with more knowledge will come along to help you shortly.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you both, 2of3 and DrJBHL for your rapid responses - I will look at both your suggestions this afternoon, with thanks!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I used the verify option in Impulse and it decided that WB 7 was not installed correctly after all and there was an update in any case, so I ran that through and everything works the same as before, ie properly but still without the missing skins replaced. I do have Sabertooth, but am still interested in Cideral, etc.  I do take the point, 2of3 that the Aero related skins might be for Vista or Windows 7, as opposed to Aero like skins that do run on XP. 

I will try the email to Stardock or maybe just risk a full uninstall of WB 7 and start again!

Thanks again for the pointers which have helped me with Impulse.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This time remember to save all the skins in a folder and move it out of where it is now. Then use Impulse to uninstall it...or be patient and wait for SD Support to try and help you.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

It's not working properly still, in any case, elements of Windows Classic won't go away so am going to uninstall and restore my system back to 6.4 for a re-think!   I can then be patient, but I can't use it as is.  Thanks.

 

I might have to rip out all traces of WB and try a clean installation.  I don't know for now, it shouldn't be taking so much of my time lol.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I fired up the xp lappy to check and I don't see any UIS0 skins there. I guess there shouldn't be any (confirmed on RedneckDude's xp machine)

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'd wait to hear from SD Support were I you....

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Wise words, nevertheless I did remove all traces from my system, by cleaning the registry and all WB program and skin folders.  After then installing again, I seem to have a much better installation, though it lacks some of the skins that installed the first time!!  I agree that I don't expect to see UIS0 skins on an XP system though.

 

Some of the problem is me getting used to what is different in WB 7 that might not actually be a fault.  Regarding the appearance of more Windows Classic elements than before, for example, using WB 6x I always got around incompatibility with Windows Live Mail by excluding wlcomm.exe from skinning.  Stardock has now 'solved' the WLM issue by forcing an exclusion for the entire Mail application into WB 7 that leaves all pop-ups from the mail program skinned in Windows Classic; ugly and annoying.  There are no controls now for HyperPaint, and I wish I had known that I would no longer be allowed to mix the shellstyle of one skin with the remainder of another skin, as this control has also also been removed and I used it all the time.  But, one thing at a time I guess, one topic at a time, and having spent the cash I *will* use WB 7 somehow!! xD

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Still in a world of pain, and making support aware!  Am running version 6 today and it's a relief, though even that has issues with trying to get back to the exact version I had! *sigh*