Undocumented option?

from Stardock Forums

Running L&G version of OD on XP Pro SP3 machine. Had a totally surreal last week or so, that was kicked off by what turned out to be an OB issue. Well, not a problem, but what happened is that at some point my fingernail accidentally caught the edge of some (unknown) key or keys, and suddenly my system taskbar disappeared! Had NO idea what the problem was, the physical windows key worked fine, but of course I couldn't see anything at all inside my system tray (I run MailWasher Pro, for example, and that's the only way I can get to it). Did not even think to look at OD, and while I knew it was there, it had totally slipped my mind since I've never used that particular option. Did a bunch of googling, thought maybe I had a corrupt explorer shell, etc etc. Nada.

Along the way, thru a completely unrelated string of comedies of errors, I wound up having to repair/reinstall Windows because I couldn't get it to reboot. I did in fact remember that OD option somewhere along the way AFTER it stopped booting, so when I finally got the PC working again, OD was the first thing I checked when it came up. Sure enough, the option to hide the system taskbar WAS checked. I immediately tested it, turned it on and off, and it acted exactly as it did when I "lost" it. This time, tho, of course it stayed up. Whew :)

So my question to the group is this: to my knowledge, the config doesn't show an alternate set of key strokes to tweak that option, so how could that have happened? It was an immediate turn off of the taskbar when I hit whatever keys I hit, but I can't find any references to there even BEING a key stroke(s). Is that a known problem? Is it an undocumented option? Something else?

TIA

elaine
charlottesville, va

objectdock
2,604 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

What is the L&G version of OD (Object Dock? Which version? Is this some variation of the Dell Dock?)?

Did this come on the machine? Did you buy Object Dock (if so, what version?)?

You might try writing to support@stardock.com with your question and wait until an actual support person answers. If you write again before that, your request for help will be sent to the end of the queue. Include the url of this thread.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

My bad--sorry about the jargon!! "Latest & Greatest" ObjectDock, free/home version 2.x (Have to check the exact version, am on work machine now). Since it's the free version, I just ass-u-me there's no formal support, hence checking with the support forums.

elaine

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No problem... just asking to understand. I'd definitely turn to SD Support, eppack... and the earlier the better. :)

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Oh sure, I don't mind doing that, just didn't think they would support a free product. Will definitely give it a shot, tho.

elaine

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Worse come to worse, save your settings folder somewhere else and uninstall it with CCleaner or Revo uninstaller at medium strength (they're free) then reinstall and replcae the settings folder with the one you saved (and renamed) then change it's name back. If the error repeats, you'll have to get rid of that folder and put in the one you downloaded (the second time).

Worth a try.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Oh I got everything back just fine, as it happens, but since it happened literally when my finger slipped, I'm not sure it's replicable, ya know? I did take your suggestion, tho, and emailed support--can't hurt, right? And if there's a relevant response, I'll post it here.

elaine