Stardock Impluse Suprize!

from Stardock Forums

Well I have had my StarDock applications installed and working wonderfully. Now I am looking to reinstall my OS and I thought better check Impluse before I do. Lo to my surprise Impluse is gone the way of the dinosaur. That's fine. Do a little digging I find you have to install StarDock Central now. Great ill be able to install all the applications I PAID for even if they are not the newest versions due to my subscription lapsing.

Log into my account, and the only thing I have available is ObjectDock v2 Plus. What about WindowBlinds and Icon Manager, LoginStudio. So how does this work I can't use the older versions of the programs I paid for? I have to pay for a whole new subscription to use the Software I already paid for?

I should not have to renew for a year to receive updates to use older versions of the programs that have already been paid for.

On the renewal page it says "Thank you for your interest in renewing your access to receive updates to Object Desktop." I dont want updates I dont want to use the latest versions if I reinstall my OS, I want to use the versions I have right now. My current Window blinds is version 7.2 how can I install and use 7.2 when I reinstall my OS without subscribing again to get version 7.4 which I dont want.

Why can I not use the older versions of the software that I paid for? Or is there some way to be able to do that? My Downloads page does not have some of my paid for software either like WindowBlinds and Icon Manager, LoginStudio ext... it just shows my colors objectdock and expires update subscriptions.

6,557 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Same Problem here.  I loved the sports themes from My Colors. My Colors has gone away.  Now either due to User error or something else I'm unable to get the old skins I used to have and loved to use.  And it's not worth the trouble or the time to do a step by step analysis of whats gone awry.  I really think Stardock is missing the boat in skinning using sports themes.  Everyone has a favorite college,pro sport team they are in love with and would use all the time on game day.  I know for a fact that football crazy SEC fans would die to have their schools skinned on their computers.  I just don't think it was marketed well enough to create the awareness,  Without that awareness it became to cost prohibitive for Stardock to continue the program.  And thats a shame.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jeeping:  Object Desktop has always been a subscription.  If you didn't make a back-up while you had the apps . . well . . there's no help for that.  If you do have the Impulse back-ups, contact support@stardock.com and we'll see if we can't get you replacements. Also, Impulse was sold almost a year and a half ago, you should have gotten an email or two about it.  You should also have gotten emails when your subscription was running out (a month before, the day of, and a monh after.  Sorry if you didn't see them.

Kendawg: You can still get all the MyColors you bought at store.stardock.com  They aren't supported any longer, but they should work.

As far as their continued sales of MyColors . . . if they made Stardock money we'd still be selling them . . because we like money.  They didn't . . so we don't. :(

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

Ok First off I want to reinstall my OS and use the Software from StarDock that I paid for. Getting a new Hard Drive soon.

I did not get any emails regarding any changes to StarDocks delivery platform. I am still using the same email address I have used since I have been with and supported StarDock in 2008. No email to my email address regarding any changes to Impluse, and I should know I open every StarDock email as I am and always have been a StarDock fan. I have paid for my original Object Desktop and an Subscription extension and ObjectDock V2 Plus.

Second I never did any backups or had anyone tell me I needed to do backups for any reason. My software was always available through Impluse which was a great service. I did not worry about backups because Impluse was there for me.

Third I think this goes to the core of the problem is how does the subscription service work? Does your subscription license you to use the software only as long as you have a current paid for subscription? Which I dont think is the case because I can still use the software I installed. Or does the subscription license you to only receive upgrades to your software as long as your subscription is active? Which is how I do believe the Subscription service works.

If the second is the case why can I not install and use older versions of the software that I PAID for already? If I reinstall my OS right now I have no access to any of the older versions of the software thats already been paid for! I have not reinstalled my OS yet but I still have my Favorite StarDock applications installed. ObjectDock V2 Plus, DeskScapes 3.25, DreamMaker 3, Icon Packager 5.10.032, Login Studio 1.7.0, and Window Blinds 7.2. But none of these appear in my StarDock central or downloads page.

Its really frustrating to find that when you return to a software package that you really enjoy and spent hard earned money on that you have been locked out of your applications that you already supported.

If they have upgrades to to my Adobe Software Suite or my 3D modeling and Animation software they dont disable my ability to use the software versions when I reinstall my OS! I can always use the software versions that I have purchased.

I honestly really love the software and will upgrade when the Windows 8 support shows up but till windows 8 is solidly supported I want to be able to use the software versions I bought when I choose to reinstall my Windows 7 OS.

If the older versions are just not available anymore to users then wouldn't it be prudent to offer at least one free subscription to those users who want to use the software they already bought and no longer have access to if they reinstall there OS, but dont want to upgrade there subscription just yet, instead of saying " If you didn't make a back-up while you had the apps . . well . . there's no help for that."

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JeepingJohnny, reply 3
If the second is the case why can I not install and use older versions of the software that I PAID for already? If I reinstall my OS right now I have no access to any of the older versions of the software thats already been paid for!
End of JeepingJohnny's quote

As with most software that is constantly being developed...A subscription entitles you to download the newest versions of the software.  You can and still are using the product. you havent been locked out of it.. but...

It would take tons of server space for companies to store old out dated versions of their product, on the rare notion that a former customer wants to re-download an out dated version..Most Companies don't keep and offer every version of their product since conception, available for download. Not sure why SD is expected too.. If you want to keep your Current Licensed version for future installs. You need to store them Locally.

 

For instance I originally bought Windowblinds as a stand alone product, then bought the Full object desktop suite. Essentially I Purchased 2 versions of WB, but as I did not backup and store my "last Purchased" copy of the stand alone version. I have lost it.. I wouldn't expect SD to store a copy of my Windowblinds stand alone purchase from 1999..

If you still have impulse installed, you still may be able to Backup the current versions of the software if it has'nt already done it. And utilize Zubaz's generous offer...

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 2
If you do have the Impulse back-ups, contact support@stardock.com and we'll see if we can't get you replacements.
End of Zubaz's quote

Nice. JeepingJohnny... looks like Stardock does care.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I would like to hear from someone at StarDock on this matter. I dont have backups atm and can I do backups? If so how? This is turning into more of a headache! Such a mess of Software.

 

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JeepingJohnny, reply 6
I would like to hear from someone at StarDock on this matter
End of JeepingJohnny's quote

ZubaZ is "someone at Stardock".

Stardock is off for the weekend so your best bet is to email support@stardock.com and start a trouble ticket.

You will receive an auto-response so please post the ticket number you get here.

Do not reply to the email until you receive one from a support tech as tickets are answered on a first-come first-served basis and any subsequent email could put your ticket at the back of the queue.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

^^^ what he said ^^^

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Well I will see what StarDock can do. I just really wanted to use my StarDock programs when I reinstall my Os here very soon. If I cant I will figure something out. At least I know I can use my ObjectDock. I may have to look into other skinning options from somewhere. I just dont want to upgrade atm and wish I could use all my old programs on a OS reinstall, well they are not that old really.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Well after finding out that some of StarDocks programs work in Windows 8 and I can upgrade a years subscription now for 24$ I have decided to go ahead and upgrade the subscription I am sure this is way less headache than any other way and it supports the company that I really like. Thanks for helping me with my earlier stuff Zubaz I am looking forward to using the new versions of the programs and do some skinning. Also looking forward to Windows 8 support.

The fact some of StarDocks programs work in Win 8 and the 24$ year Upgrade deal sold me. I am looking forward to trying Windows 8.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

cool!