z-index problems with Windowblinds

Meili: Please copy and paste SystemInformation from WB-Config window and paste here ... !!!

Side Suggestion: Remove "sir" from your nick ... as 'sir' is used as honforic for the users at a certain level .. and you are abit lower in rank @ WC ...!!!

Hey BX,

I'll paste my system information as you request, but as for removing the 'sir' from my nick, I will not be doing that. That is my name that i've used on the net for many years before the inception of wincustomize. I've had that nick here since 2001 and I don't see a reason to change it. Sorry if this offends anyone. I don't intend it to do so. It's just my name and I don't see why I should change it

Sincerely,
SirMeili

P.S. Here is the information you requested:

WindowBlinds 5.0 System Information Report:

STATUS : WB+ SRV+ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+

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 2 monitors.

(Default Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
(Default Monitor) 2 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800

Wblind.dll 2006/02/10 19:33:34
Wbsrv.dll 2006/02/05 12:58:22
Wbconfig.exe 2005/12/05 18:42:52
Wbload.exe 2006/01/19 16:19:18
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 15:37:00
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2005/11/02 13:28:26

Sir Meili:

The use of "Sir" in your nick doesn't bother me one bit nor should it bother anyone.

I've had the same issues with the cursor going behind window frames with certain WB5 skins while using CursorXP and have only been able to get back to normal by a reboot. This seems to occur when changing blinds a few times through WindowBlinds Configuration. Hopefully the programmers will be able to duplicate this and come up with a solution in the next release.

I don't have access to WB (at work) - which version per SDC is that? seems a couple of dates are old...but I could be wrong since I'm going by memory.

are your drivers up to date?  if not, might try updated drivers.  if so, might try a roll back (some work better on older drivers)

The problem is a bug in XP itself.

After a screen resolution change on some pcs (but not all), the OS starts to paint semi transparent things backwards so things lower in the z-order get painted on top of those things above them.

This isn't a problem on XP 64 bit or 2003 server as Microsoft have apparently fixed this on those OSes.  My feeling is that it is more common on machines with multiple monitors, but why that is is currently unknown.

This has been a problem with CursorXP and transparent windows ever since that product was released and a similar thing could be reproduced with any other app making use of semi transparency.

Rebooting will always fix it and it should remain fixed until your screen resolution changes.  It has been noticed that changing res a few times can make the OS correct itself.

Hankers: thank you for your support on the name issue

Sir Bichur: yes i think my version of SDC is a couple of versions behind, but that would be because it keeps telling me there are updates, but doesn't initiate the update for some reason. As far as drivers, I am running the newest drivers for my card, and as you'll read forthcoming, returning to one monitor fixed the problem for now.

Neil: thank you, going back to one monitor did fix the problem. I wish M$ would release a fix for it, but that's not SD's problem . I am wondering. I am about the buy a 24" flatpanel for my laptop and run it in clone mode. Do you know if this has the same effect? I was running it in dual screen mode when the problem appeared. Just curious.

Any who...thank you all for your responses,
SirMeili

There IS no issue with using 'Sir' in one's nick, or as one's nick.  Were that the case I'm sure 'Sir Meili' would have had it brought to his attention way back in July '03 .....

There was a "bad" SDC beta that wouldn't update.

Download a curretn version of SDC and then let it update. One less issue.

I think that this z-ordering is an issue that Stardock should fix. Just because it is a bug in Windows doesn't mean there isn't a way to fix it, the Stardock team has done great work creating applications that customize Windows. I know the problem exists in other apps that use alpha transparency, but still if you're selling WindowBlinds to draw all the windows on your machine, it should work with multiple monitors and as many resolution changes as needed. Seems like rushed software or laziness to me.

With that said, I'm still mostly pleased with my Windowsblinds 5 purchase (and the amount of updates), but I didn't know that this bug was going to just be ignored because the issue begins with Windows.

Just because it is a bug in Windows doesn't mean there isn't a way to fix it.

No...there certainly is a way.....petition Microsoft to correct an otherwise un-noticed 'error'.  My bet it it is only the GUI customizing/skinning crowd who even notice, and for Redmond it's perhaps a non-issue....

Z-order issues are quite a load of fun with alternate shells as well [eg Litestep]...so even under an alternate GUI they remain problematic at times...

Paul, you are so the diplomat.