Wbload : Unable to start communication with server ... ????????????

from WinCustomize Forums
From times to times when i stop (or reboot) the PC, i get that error message : "WBload, Unable to start communication with server" + a button [OK], then unless i click OK or press CTRL+ALT+DEL to stop WBload, the PC don't reboot or stop

Does it mean Stardock is connecting on my PC all day ?? (to look after which skin i use for example ...)

BUT i NEVER saw any advertissment from Stardock about that practise even when i installed it the first time !!!

Anyway, how can i disable this feature ??? (or have control on it ?)
1,921 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There are many programs that communicate through the internet for whatever reason. Paint Shop tried to do it. Winzip tried to do it. I have a firewall and I just set rules to block unneccessary communication. Is it surprising that a vendor would want to know who has their program installed? And maybe to compare that number to the actual number of legitimate purchases. What is surprising is the sort of programs that want to communicate over the internet. IOIOIOI ? What was that? My ISP? Who knows, I really have nothing to hide anyway. So, I don't really worry about it too much. No Child P**n here, nor of any type.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i've also a firewall, but nothing is telling me WBload is trying to connect to any server ...
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've never seen that error message. My broadband connection has been out for a couple days and I've been using dial up only when I want to be online so nothing's connecting out even if it wants to if I'm offline.

I seem to recall though, as you mentioned in another thread, that in the distant past Frogboy said something about being able to tell what skins people were using for stats. (Or did I hallucinate that?) But still I've seen no unusual traffic except XP's natural chattiness online through Generic Host Process (a catch all title). And my firewall ZA+ has a feature where you can allow or disallow if an app wants to use another app to go online, if it wants to piggyback on a connection, for example. But WB is not even on the radar as ever attempting to access the net since it's not in my ZA program control list. So I dunno.

But it would be nice to have an explanation of that error message you're seeing and what you can do about it. If you haven't already done so you could email stardock support about it and see what they say.



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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All my Object Desktop programs tried to obtain access to the internet. DesktopX, Windowblinds(multiple dll's and .exe files), Object Dock, etc.. Even certain skins had dll's in them which wanted to connect. Maybe this is for the statistical information that sig101 mentioned. And it seems that almost every program and dll wants to piggyback my internet connection. It's strange and it makes me wonder??
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Neophil78, maybe your firewall doesn't control external programs that try to access the internet. Norton and Zone Alarm Pro do.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ChasUGC : i get one firewall on my routeur, and Norton Firewall as well ...
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sig101 : i've already send a mail to support@stardock and waiting for response and explanation since a few days ... of course when i'll get it, i'll tell here what about ...