Fences won't enable

howard28956

Join Date 01/2013

Fences won't enable

I'm having an issue I've seen in other topics on this forum. Fences was working great on the same computer with the same Windows 11 OS, but my system crashed and had to re-install Windows 11. Installed in a clean partition using the CD. Reformatted the partition. Fences won't enable and can't create a fence. Right clicked on the desktop and pop-up menu keeps saying "Enable Fences". I tried clicking that a number of times but fences still won't enable.

I've loaded and clean installed Version 4.0.7.2 a number of times.

The Windows 11 install is a clean install with only Chrome and Thunderbird installed above all the junk Microsoft puts on the system.

I've tried all the hints in other topics and nothing is working. I really like fences and would like to get this program to work.

System cpu is a i7-11700K

32GB RAM

64bit OS

Windows 11 PRO

Please help.

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Thank you for working through these issues with us, everyone who was involved.

We have logged the issue with the developers to review, internal reference id: FEN-158

Paul Scroggins
Associate Technical Support Analyst

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You're welcome.

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I am having the same issue with Fences 4, only on a Win 10 Pro machine. It's a new OS installation that I've only installed ESET End Point AV and Open Shell. I've tried purging, reboot, re-install, reboot with no change. Every other machine in the office has the same OS, with ESET and Open Shell installed, and Fences works fine.

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Quoting mteresko,

reply 53

I am having the same issue, only on a Win 10 Pro machine. It's a new OS installation that I've only installed ESET End Point AV and Open Shell. I've tried purging, reboot, re-install, reboot with no change. Every other machine in the office has the same OS, with ESET and Open Shell installed, and Fences works fine.

My machine was Win 10 Pro and Open Shell. I had no network icons on my desktop. The only way I could get Fences to start was to remove ALL items from my desktop. Leaving just the system icons "PC", "Control Panel" and "Recycle Bin".

I'm not sure if you've tried this?

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All icons except Recycle Bin gone. Still doesn't work. Did a clean boot with no change.

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sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

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Quoting mteresko,

reply 53

Every other machine in the office has the same OS, with ESET and Open Shell installed, and Fences works fine.

So something about it is different, mteresko.

I would suggest reviewing your Windows Event log to see if it points to a cause.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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I am aware that it is a different machine, sdRohan. That is not the same as there being something wrong with the machine. I've reviewed the Windows Event log, and I'm not seeing anything relevant to the issue at hand. There are no application errors noted in the time frame of the installation of Fences, and the only system errors refer to a GPO connection issue that resolved itself. There is no indication that there is a problem with the installation, other than the fact that the program does not work. Any other suggestions?

-Mike

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Quoting sdRohan,

reply 56

I would suggest reviewing your Windows Event log to see if it points to a cause.

One of the first things I did was to check the Event log and I don't recall seeing anything relevant. This was prior to the suggestion (which resolved issue for me) of removing [all] desktop entries.

If you're positive that Fences logs to the event log then it might help if you specified exactly which log as there are multiple.

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sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

+715

Quoting mteresko,

reply 57

I am aware that it is a different machine, sdRohan. That is not the same as there being something wrong with the machine.

I am not, nor in any of these other prior posts did we ever, suggest there is something 'wrong' with any PC. My meaning was there is something unique to this PC, its settings, or installed apps.

Quoting mteresko,

reply 53

Every other machine in the office has the same OS, with ESET and Open Shell installed, and Fences works fine.

Are their settings applied to your PC (perhaps via GPO) that are not applied to others that you know of?

If you fire up a sandbox instance on this PC, can you install \ enable Fences?
https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1416560645/Testing+Fences+in+Sandbox

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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I've got Sandbox running, and have installed Fences 4 in it, and I still can't create a fence. It's enabled, but when I click, drag and release, nothing happens.

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I've installed Fences 2 using an old license key, and it's working.

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sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

+715

Quoting mteresko,

reply 60

I've got Sandbox running, and have installed Fences 4 in it, and I still can't create a fence. It's enabled, but when I click, drag and release, nothing happens.

Reduced 43%

Original 1917 x 1197

Are both entries for Fences 'enabled' in the PC 'Startup apps'?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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Yes, both Fences apps are enabled in Startup.

I don't think I need to waste any more time trying to get v4 to run properly since v2 seems to run fine.

-Mike

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sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

+715

Quoting mteresko,

reply 63

Yes, both Fences apps are enabled in Startup.

I don't think I need to waste any more time trying to get v4 to run properly since v2 seems to run fine.

-Mike

TBH, I am a bit shocked that Fences 2 works on any modern Win OS; not because of its design, but rather, of all the changes to the OSs themselves.

However, if you change your mind and want to continue to work on it, we will be here to assist.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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Would you recommend going to v3? I have an unused v2>v3 upgrade key available.

-Mike

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When I was having issues I tried the sandbox suggestion and I could not get Fences4 to enable. What confuses me about this is that by definition there were no icons on the desktop. I was also on Windows 10 Pro. It feels like something else is going on but I have no idea what.

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FYI, I just ran the upgrade to v3, and all seems well. The issue is specific to v4.

-M

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sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

+715

Quoting mteresko,

reply 67

FYI, I just ran the upgrade to v3, and all seems well. The issue is specific to v4.

-M

Specific to for a very specific reason as to why (not yet known).

This a reach but one change that comes to mind is a Sheduled task that is used with Fences 4 for the new Peak feature:

While that should only have an impact for that Peak feature, does it exist with a Fences 4 install and has it run successfully?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

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So I too am having this same issue, and have read and gone thru every single step, guide and suggestion and am not able to get it to enable either. I've removed EVERYTHING from the desktop and its still not working. I will be requesting a complete refund if this cant get resolved in a timely manner.

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Quoting wx9kvh,

reply 69

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Can we know more on your system please.

You on Windows 10 or 11? Also, need to know its full version numbers. Use Winver.exe.
Fences version number?
What error msg popup when you try to enable Fences?
Does Fences appear on your Taskmanager twice on Startup?
What Steps you have done so far, list them down.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Hi, I just had the same problem: On a newly installed Windows 10 Pro system on a VM, Fences 4 didn't work.

But the upgrade path Fences 2 -> Fences 3 -> Fences 4 worked.

HTH,

-B

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Hi Everyone,

I have the same problem (enable fences does not work). I've tried moving all icons to a folder...but:

The IT department has a script to plant a support-icon (connects to the support website) once it is missing from the desktop. Each time I remove it and reboot, this icons reappers out of the folder.

I'm not sure that this is the issue that blocks Fences (I had this icon for ages), but if it does - where do we go from here?

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Quoting sceasary,

reply 73

Hi Everyone,

I have the same problem (enable fences does not work). I've tried moving all icons to a folder...but:

The IT department has a script to plant a support-icon (connects to the support website) once it is missing from the desktop. Each time I remove it and reboot, this icons reappers out of the folder.

I'm not sure that this is the issue that blocks Fences (I had this icon for ages), but if it does - where do we go from here?

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please try the latest version : Fences 4.0.10.1 beta https://forums.stardock.com/516973. Try it and report back.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi Basj and everyone.
Alas, the problem persists on version 4.1.0.2-J104

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Quoting sceasary,

reply 74

Hi Basj and everyone.
Alas, the problem persists on version 4.1.0.2-J104

Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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