Windowblinds 7 not quite working.(RESOLVED)

Icon not in system tray, program not skinning

from Stardock Forums

Hello,

 

  I've had Windowblinds 7 (installed through Impulse) since July 2010, and since then everyhting was working as it should. But as of September 2011, my Windowblinds stopped skinning. I figured I would uninstall since 1)It wasn't working at the time and also my computer had no internet connection to re-activate it. I also uninstalled Impulse.

Fast forward to recently, I re-installed WB through my store account. Even though I managed to activate it, when I try to apply a skin, the GUI switches to Windows Classic for some reason. Also when I finished installing, the WB icon doesn't appear in the system tray, and the 'Windowblinds' button does not appear in the Display Properties (appearance tab). I also don't see it running in the proccesses list in Task Manager (except when I have the Configuration window open).

Here's the latest info from the "About" section. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition 32-bit SP2

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.3 (build 98 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.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Wblind.dll         2011/10/17 11:18:20
Wbsrv.dll         2010/02/03 16:33:56
SevenConfig.exe         2011/10/13 17:33:52
Wbload.exe         2010/10/20 16:08:35
Wbhelp.dll         2011/10/04 10:01:37
Wbui.dll         2009/06/04 16:14:05
Tray.dll              2009/10/23 20:12:19
Screen.exe         2010/06/07 15:59:43

 

I really love this software and would like for it to be working again. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

-Chiyo

windowblinds
14,677 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The data you posted from "About" is incomplete... but I figure that might be due to your being on an XP x32 system and you don't have a WEI.

The rest of the missing info should be posted: Specifically the version number. Please just copy and paste all the info from "About Windowblinds" in the config window.

Also I'd suggest getting an email off to Support ( support@stardock.com ) and then saving the autoreply (it has the ticket number) and not writing again until an actual person anwers as your request for help will be kicked to the end of the queue by doing so.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 1
The data you posted from "About" is incomplete... but I figure that might be due to your being on an XP x32 system and you don't have a WEI.

The rest of the missing info should be posted: Specifically the version number. Please just copy and paste all the info from "About Windowblinds" in the config window.

Also I'd suggest getting an email off to Support ( support@stardock.com ) and then saving the autoreply (it has the ticket number) and not writing again until an actual person anwers as your request for help will be kicked to the end of the queue by doing so.
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

As for the info in the About section, the only other info I can provide is that my version of WB is 7.30.047 (oddly enough, it doesn't appear in the window). I also sent an email.



Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good. Well, you might have had a borked installation. Try uninstalling it with ccleaner and then running the registry tool (remember to make a backup and a restore point before doing it).

Then, reboot, and reinstall and reboot. Did you remember to reboot after the first install?

+1 Loading…
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I did exactly what you instructed, but nothing so far. The icon still didn't appear in the system tray, and the skinning only results in Windows classic GUI. The activation went through as always, but I'm back to square one. I'm still open for suggestions.


Just to mention, I have the MSstyles converter, but I don't believe that's part of the problem. Also, when the installation process hits 93%, it reads: 'Skipping Windowblinds' and the file it mentioned was xpui.uis. After that 93%, it just jumps to the last step saying that WB has finished installing. Is that normal?


I'll also list the important files in my Windowblinds program folder:

UI Folder

Activate App

Activate.lng

core.dll

sig7.bin

tray.dll

unzip32.dll 1.1.0.0

wbconfig.exe.manifest

wbdb.dll 7.0.0.0

wbdbg

wbhelp.dll 7.0.0.0

wblind.dll 7.3.0.0

wblindp2.dll 7.2.0.1

wblindp.dll 7.1.0.0

Wbsrv.dll 7.1.0.0

wbui.dll 6.0.1.0

 

I don't think that list may be neccessary, but maybe that might help with my current problem.



Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ChiyoGDZN, reply 4
I have the MSstyles converter, but I don't believe that's part of the problem. Also, when the installation process hits 93%, it reads: 'Skipping Windowblinds' and the file it mentioned was xpui.uis. After that 93%, it just jumps to the last step saying that WB has finished installing. Is that normal?
End of ChiyoGDZN's quote

1. May I suggest that MSStyles might be the problem? If it's on your system it has changed system files. I would suggest getting it off your system as Windowblinds will not work with it.

2. After that, run your sfc /scannow.  http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

3. Uninstall WB and clean the registry again. reboot reinstall WB and then reboot. It should work. I hope you included the URL of this thread in your request for help. If not, don't resend. Wait for an actual person to answer and in your reply supply this thread's URL.

4. I don't remember any of those things happening durin installation on my old XP system, years ago.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

  I followed your instructions and, from what I'm experiencing now, Windowblinds is working again! The icon appeared in the tray just as it should; and I even applied different skins just to make sure everything's working properly.

I think this time around, after the sfc /scannow, uninstall and reboot I made sure I deleted every single file/folder/registry key associated with WB before reinstalling again. Even though I still don't see the Windowblinds integration with the display properties, I'm not complaining. So far, so good. Thanks so much for the help you offered, Doc!

I'll keep tabs on how WB is doing over the next few days.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You're welcome. Did the  sfc /scannow  find any file integrity violations?

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 7
You're welcome. Did the  sfc /scannow  find any file integrity violations?
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

None so far. No indications of any files needing to be repaired.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OK, then you didn't have msstyles installed. There's a utility that SD Support made that will turn the error log into a file on the desktop. Not sure the log from back when all this was happening exists, still - but since there is still a small glitch, it might be a good idea to generate it in case they ask for it (it's small and won't cause any strain).

Download it and run it. You'll find the results (as a zipped file) on your desktop.

http://sd.stardock.com/SDSupportTool.exe

 

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 9
OK, then you didn't have msstyles installed. There's a utility that SD Support made that will turn the error log into a file on the desktop. Not sure the log from back when all this was happening exists, still - but since there is still a small glitch, it might be a good idea to generate it in case they ask for it (it's small and won't cause any strain).

Download it and run it. You'll find the results (as a zipped file) on your desktop.

http://sd.stardock.com/SDSupportTool.exe

 
End of DrJBHL's quote

I ran the program earlier today. It slowed my computer down a bit, but it generated the file(zip).

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OK... then when you get the person from Support's response, attach your log to your next answer.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ChiyoGDZN, reply 6
Even though I still don't see the Windowblinds integration with the display properties, I'm not complaining. So far, so good.
End of ChiyoGDZN's quote
Can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing (and what you are expecting to see)?  Thanks.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 12
(and what you are expecting to see)
End of Zubaz's quote

If he can show you a screencap of that, he's on to somethin. :grin:

(I know - Support hates me).

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 12

Quoting ChiyoGDZN, reply 6 Even though I still don't see the Windowblinds integration with the display properties, I'm not complaining. So far, so good. Can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing (and what you are expecting to see)?  Thanks.
End of Zubaz's quote

 

This is not my actual screenshot (I don't have a photobucket/imageshack account) but if you don't mind, I'll use it as an example.

www.econsultant.com/images/shortcut-display-properties-with-appearance-tab-preselected-control-color.jpg

On the bottom right of the window, I was expecting to see the 'Windowblinds', 'Add' and 'Delete' buttons above the 'Effects' and 'Advanced' buttons. But my Windowblinds is working again now, and I can open the configure window via the tray icon.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

ChiyoGDZN, I'm pretty sure that feature was removed versions ago. I.ll check to be sure Monday though. 

Thanks for posting that image, it was exactly what I was expecting and exactly what was needed.  :-)

 

(See Daiwa?  I told you so.  :-P )