Strange Installation Problem

from Stardock Forums
First off, I am a registered user using the paid version.

I have a new laptop running Windows XP Media Center. I installed Stardock Central, and then Window Blinds 5. It seemed to install okay, but did not prompt me to reboot my computer. I know that normally it will prompt you to reboot. I rebooted anyways, and started up Window Blinds from the Start / Programs / Object Desktop folder. It runs okay, my windows are skinned, etc.

However, if I right click on my desktop and selecting Properties, then the Appearance tab, I do not see the WindowBlinds command button above the Effects button. Further, the Windows and buttons pulldown says WIndows Classic style and the Color scheme says Windows Standard. I do not see any of the Window blinds skins in the pulldown.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times to no avail. Help!

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 one monitor in total.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family

Wblind.dll 2006/08/23 17:13:20
Wbsrv.dll 2006/08/23 17:18:30
Wbconfig.exe 2006/08/19 14:24:16
Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 17:54:12
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:00
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2006/04/13 17:29:04
windowblinds
2,349 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
tis odd
don't know if it has any effect, but do you have Themes turned off in Services?

did you install via SDC?

did you install 4 first?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Themes service is currently turned on; it is set to start up automatically. I installed it via SC. (Is there any other way to install it?)
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sounds like a bad install. I would try clean installing WB - save your skins somewhere before starting, use SDC to un-install WB, reboot, delete the WB folder. Install WB via SDC and re-boot.

Have you had the trial version installed? That usually needs to be removed completely for WB to install properly.

Disabling the themes service could also help. Go Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, right click 'themes' and choose 'stop', right click 'themes' again and change 'start up type' from automatic to disabled and then click 'OK'.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've never turned themes off and never had a problem.

But it does sound like a glitched install.

However I have seen a couple (not more than 3-4) posts of conflicts of some kind with WMCEd.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I figured out the problem ... if you change your display dpi settings to anything other than normal 96 dpi or large size 120 dpi (via settings/advanced/general), you do not see the window blinds command button in the display settings

it's too bad because on my laptop I really prefer 108 dpi (half-way between normal and large size)
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
dpi settings to anything other than normal 96 dpi


I tend to forget the dpi thing - even though it does get brought up as a cause/cure every so often