Why Double-Click Needed to Launch Explorer?

Reply #1 December 7, 2005 7:55 PM from

Okay, this odd. It seems that it requires a double click, because somehow it's already running (or Object Dock thinks it is). I see the running indicator under it, and also under "My Computer". That ("My Computer") now also requires a double-click to open, although the task manager doesn't show either thing running. Hmm.. I'm plenty puzzled.

Mark

Reply #2 December 7, 2005 8:24 PM from

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I am guessing it is because explorer.exe is running.

Reply #3 December 7, 2005 8:40 PM from

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I would try clearing the cache for ObjectDock (delete the ObjectDock cache folder).

I wrote a mini tutorial outlining how to clear the cache, which you can read here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82461

Note - before clearing the cache, save your theme and then unload ObjectDock. After clearing the cache, restart ObjectDock - which will start with the default settings - then use the Dock Settings dialog to load your saved theme.

If this does not fix the issue, then other avenues to investigate are:

1 - Did you install ObjectDock Plus without first uninstalling ObjectDock free version (if you were using this version previously).

2 - Do you have the "When a shortcut is run, if program is already running bring it to the foreground only" selected in "Dock Settings > General Category > Advanced Options button"?

3 - How did you create the "My Computer" entry, and what is the other 'explorer.exe' entry?

Reply #4 December 7, 2005 9:05 PM from

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Thanks very much for the detailed info.

With respect to the cache, I see no Object Dock cache folder at any level (under the user application data heirarchy or anywhere else, with "show hidden files" set in Explorer views).

I do have the "When a shortcut is run, if program is already running bring it to the foreground only" option set.

"My Computer" was a default dock entry (I didn't manually add it). I did add Explorer. It's properties are:

Link: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
Arguments: /n, /e, c:\xfers

I found this:

If Object Dock "thinks" the app is running, I can usually get it to work normally by:

1) Shutting down Object Dock and re-starting it.
2) Opening the app with the double-click, moving the app on the screen, and closing it (odd yes, but it's pretty consistent).
3) Changing a property associated with the shortcut. It will then work correctly one time, but after the app is launched, it seems to again "think" it's running. I confirmed via Task Manager that it is not.

I did determine though that "My Computer", because I suppose it *is* an instance of Explorer, shows running anytime Explorer is running. So seeing both show running makes sense, though again, in most cases, neither is actually running.

I found the same behavior with ePrompter.

I have just now re-started Object Dock, so we'll see what happens.

Oh, and as for a previous install, there was no previous install of Object Dock (paid or free) on this box. I had tried it awhile back on another machine.

Thanks again. I report whatever I find.

Mark

Reply #5 December 7, 2005 10:22 PM from

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I see no Object Dock cache folder at any level (under the user application data heirarchy or anywhere else, with "show hidden files" set in Explorer views).

There should be an ObjectDock folder in "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock" folder if you have ever shutdown or restarted your computer, as these are the ".ini" files that ObjectDock reads to load with your current theme. Lacking this, ObjectDock would always start with the default settings.

Note - make sure you are looking in the "Application Data" folder that resides inside of the "Local Settings" folder, and not the one inside of the "USERNAME" folder.

Link: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
Arguments: /n, /e, c:\xfers

Have you tried running the theme with the arguments removed?

Reply #6 December 8, 2005 1:30 AM from

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Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

Reply #7 December 8, 2005 8:18 PM from

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There should be an ObjectDock folder in "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock" folder if you have ever shutdown or restarted your computer, as these are the ".ini" files that ObjectDock reads to load with your current theme. Lacking this, ObjectDock would always start with the default settings.

Ah, yes, the ini file are there, but in an ObjectDockPlus folder. I was looking for a folder named "cache".

Have you tried running the theme with the arguments removed?

Yes, I tried that too. For whatever reason, nothing seems to permanently resolve the issue. Windows Explorer shows as running. If I double-click to bring it back up, then move the window, then close it, it will no longer show as running. I'm starting to wonder if it might be a WB5/ObjectDock combination issue.

For now though, I've abandoned the idea of using a bottom dock as my only app launcher (hiding the taskbar) for a couple of reasons. For one, when skinned with a great WB skin, the taskbar actually looks good.

And, it's hard to beat the convenience of the standard Windows combo taskbar/systray. I had a vertical dock systray, but while it looks cool, it's defintely no more functional. What does seem to make sense for me, is a side dock that replaces my quicklaunch bar that I have in the taskbar. It frees up more space in the taskbar for running apps, and gives me the same one-click launch convenience. I really like the "eye candy", make no mistake about that, but at the same time, I want to maintain or increase ease of use and functionality of the O/S. Anyway, I'm rambling now. Thanks for your thoughts/ideas. I'm still playing, so if I find the cause, I'll post it here.

Mark

Reply #8 December 8, 2005 8:29 PM from

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I run WB5 and ObjectDock Plus (2 normal docks, and 1 tabbed) - which you can see in this months desktop screenshots - on both a desktop and notebook.

I do not have any need to double-click any entries (including My Computer, and Windows Explorer), or any conflicts between WB5 and OD+.

You could try to rebuild the theme from scratch after clearing the cache (delete the "ObjectDock Plus" folder), making sure to create new docks (not use the default docks, though this should not be an issue).

If the issue remains after creating new docks manually, and not using any docklets, then I would suspect another program is conficting with OD+ functionality.

Reply #9 December 8, 2005 9:37 PM from

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I'm fairly tenacious when it comes to these things, so I expect I'll arrive at some conclusion . . eventually.

Maybe Process Explorer will reveal something explorer.exe related that in fact does hang. Maybe OD+ isn't the problem, but is revealing a problem elsewhere! Ah well, if all this stuff worked perfectly, how would I spend my time?

Thanks again.

Mark

Reply #10 January 14, 2006 3:53 AM from

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I also had the problem where I had to double click "My Computer" in order for it to open. I noticed someone mentioned the option "When a shortcut is run, if program is already running bring it to the foreground only", and I had it checked so on a whim I unchecked it and that solved the issue. "My Computer" works with a single click now. Maybe you can try that really quick if you haven't already.

Reply #11 January 24, 2006 7:38 AM from

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Howdy fellas,

I have another - and for me quite an important - issue with Object Dock, which in time actually caused me to go back to YzDock:

Putting a shortcuts to FILES onto Object Dock does not do me much good because if it happens that these shortcuts reffer to documents of the same application (eg, Excel), only the first file will be openned. In other words: after hitting the shortcut to "file1.xls" (after which it -obviously- opens), clicking the shortcut to "file2.xls" does not do a thing.

The only way I found that I am able to open "file2.xls" (without having to close excel, of course), was to right-click it and hit open.

I cannot imagine why this behavior is happening. I am aware of the "having to double-click applications to open them even though they are not running" problem and know that this is simply because of the nature of explorer.exe and the setting which enables only showing the current running instance of an application. I am very surprised, however, that nobody has yet mentioned this problem of Object Dock. So if you happen to have any ideas or the power to look into this issue, PLEASE do. I like Object Dock for its engine superior ot that of YzDock, but if this cannot be solved, Ill be forced to part with it.

Thank you for listening stay fresh..