windowblind theme wont install

nothing works!

from WinCustomize Forums
ok, I tried changing the ext. to .wba instead of it being a zip file, but that didn't work, and now I have foxfire and that automatically saves it as a wba but it still wont install, I don't know what to do!
windowblinds
12,271 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You could just try extracting the skin to a folder in the windowblinds directory:

C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\Windowblinds\
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok I extracted it and all, but it still wont work! i dont know what to do! its there in the directory when i open it up but its not in windowblinds
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Which skin is it that you're trying to apply? (I assume you've already tried using the "Install skin from disk" option)?

-Mike
[Stardock Support]
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Azenis, its on the front page of wincustomize, yeah, i have tried intall skin from disk
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
You're not alone.  I've had the same problem with the same theme. 
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I have found that when I download a skin, it doesn't appear in the WindowBlinds Configuration - My Skins installer. It does appear in "Theme Manager - Visual Styles." If I apply a skin using the later, I have to reboot my PC for it to take effect!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am having samee problem I download Skin chanage it from ZIP to WBA it will not install. Extraction as suggested does not get the job done either. It does show up under the appearance tab and I can then load the skin.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Also, not every time, but often I have to click "Apply This Skin" twice. First time everything changes but the bottom bar. Second time it changes!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
arg ive tried other skins now and they wont instal either! this is so aggrivating!!
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

After downloading a skin, if you don't see it in the WindowBlinds installer, as someone else advised, try right-clicking on desktop, go to "Appearances" tab, and if you see it there, try to install from there.


I did this and although the process hung up, I was able to "End Process" and went back to WindowBlinds installer and, wha-la, it was there!

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am using WB5 and solved this problem by clicking the refresh button in Windows blind. After I did that I have had no problems.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
installing from Access tab didnt work........ weird thing.. in windowblinds the Azenis icons shows up in My Toolbars.... its blank but its still shows as an option.. but still no Azenis windowblind, nor any other for that matter will work!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also discovered that the refresh button will make an unseen WB appear after downloading NightMare. I also had trouble with Azenis SE but got it to show up eventually. All of the other WB5 blinds downloaded with no problems. I use FireFox so I don't get zip problems. Theme manager works for me but if I try to load a blind from Display Properties it hangs and leaves a blank appearance tab that I have to restart to get rid of. I can't find a process in task manager to end.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Firefox and have problems with 'Industrial Ecstacy' not installing correctly, the new skin tooltip appears and is present in my WB folder, but the skin refuses to show up in 'My Skins'....have clicked refresh and on the wb file itself but still no joy. I'm using version 4.90f[b].002; XP Pro SP2; 1.5 gig ram; P4 2.8; Raedon 9550 256mb, 5.8 Catalyst drivers. WB5 appears to be installed correctly, applies effects and other skins normally

I also tried using the 'Appearance' tab but it does not show in there either, but does appear in ThemeManager. Applying the skin from there works but it hangs for quite a while before doing so, and I get 'Windows Explorer has Encountered a problem and needs to close. When reopening WB Config afterwards, the skin still does not appear in 'my skins' but shows in the preview window, minus the options panel to apply, delete, etc....selecting another skin restores it.

Also, trying to apply wb skins via the 'Appearance' tab results in hang and a 'program not responding' error message, no changes made.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also have this problem, Caprice and Azensis are the only two downloaded from Wincustomize that have installed, other than the ones that came with Windowblinds 5, I have tried applying through Properties, but like the other, it does not apply and hangs Properties dialog box on screen, restart required to get rid, I have tried several time to install and apply Dreamland this morning, no joy. , can anyone help.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
seems like everyone is having the same problem and everything everyone says to try and fix it doesnt work. what the hell is up with this crap! i want my skin damnit!
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can save the file to disk and then use WBConfig to 'Install skin from Disk'. That's the way I have to do it since I started using WB5.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Have had no joy with Azenis_Se and now Dreamland .. WB says its installed and appears in the directory ... but no show in any of the palces its possible to apply the skinn from ??
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can save the file to disk and then use WBConfig to 'Install skin from Disk'.


Thanks for the tip, werewolf.....it works for 'Dreamland' and others but not with 'Industrial Ecstacy', which applied in in WB4 without problems. When I locate the file in 'Install from Disk' and click to apply, the 'loading window' appears quite briefly but nothing happens. I'm wondering if WB5 has an issue with this particular blind, as in a missing or incomplete file or something? I certainly hope it can be resolved as this is one of my favourites.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
happyboi: In using the following steps, I've had success with many skins (except "Industrial Ecstasy")
Loading Azenis
-From Link...
-Right-click on the link labeled "download" and select "Save target as..."
-Save into the directory: "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\Windowblinds\Azenis.wba"
-Open up Windowblinds Configuration window and select, "Install skin from disk."
-Copy/Paste "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\Windowblinds\Azenis.wba" in the "File name:" field. Click "Open"
-If the skin is not in the list, wait a few seconds and click "Refresh." It should appear now.

starkers: If "Display Properties" stops responding, you can always close out of it by stopping the rundll32.exe process. Be careful, however--other programs may have additional instances of rundll32.exe open. We recommend using the Windowblinds Configuration window to apply skins. I'm confirming that "Industrial Ecstacy" has trouble loading. You might want to contact the author of the skin.

Windowblinds 5 is still in beta development (unstable). If you experience problems with this program, you are free to uninstall at any time and reinstall the 4.6 (stable) release.

-Mike
[Stardock Support]
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you for confirming that, Mike.....I guessed it may have been something with the skin itself. I made mention of it in the 'comments' section, so hopefully Drill 'n Boss is aware of The WB5 hiccup.

Also, while I'm here, when applying the 'per pixels' skins, I get a 'Windows Explorer' needs to close window. This causes no actual problems, the system continues to function correctly, and does not occur with the standard blinds as far as I'm aware. Cheers
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you are otherwise unable to load a windowblinds skin, you can also open up SkinStudio and apply the skin from there. That seems to work every time (there is unfortunately no preview, however).

starkers: I believe this is an issue with certain skins as most seem to be able to load without a problem. Could you paste the information from the "Troubleshooting" section from within the Windowblinds Configuration? Also, Which version of Windowblinds and which version of windows (including service packs) are you running?

-Mike
[Stardock Support]
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for your prompt reply, Mike....here are the stats you requested.

STATUS : WB+ SRV+ HLP+ UI+

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

You have one monitor in total.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to RADEON 9550
'RADEON 9550 Secondary' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAY2', but is not attached to the desktop.
'NetMeeting driver' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV1', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.
'RDPDD Chained DD' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV2', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.

I'm running XP Pro SP2.....WB 4.90f[b].002.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I got Dreamland to work through Skin Studio by renaming to NEW as suggested, saving, then applying through Skin Studio, it now shows in WB5 config window. Jim
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jim: I'm glad to hear everything is going okay.

starkers: I just installed a Radeon 9550 into the manager of development's machine earlier (who is also running XP Pro sp2). He loaded a PerPixel skin without any trouble.
-Try deleting everything from the C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\Windowblinds\ top directory (only files, no folders) then rebooting, reinstalling, and rebooting one more time.

-Mike
[Stardock support]