Another case of WindowBlinds not applying skins

from Stardock Forums
Hello everyone....I'm a new WindowBlinds user, and it's not working. I click Apply Theme and it just reverts to Windows Classic. I've seen this topic come up in the forums a lot but none of them quite match my situation.

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 55 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

Wblind.dll         2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wbsrv.dll         2008/04/28 11:35:10
Wbconfig.exe         2008/04/29 21:02:32
Wbload.exe         2008/04/28 11:35:14
Wbhelp.dll         2008/04/28 11:35:07
Wbui.dll         2008/04/28 11:35:05
Tray.dll              2008/04/28 11:35:21
Screen.exe         2008/04/28 11:35:18

So heres the story: A few months ago i downloaded the trial version of windowblinds. It did the stupid windows classic thing. I contaced Dell Technical support, and they got it working by uninstalling it, making  a new user account on my computer, and reinstalling it on the new account. Everything worked fine then....until the trial expired.  Then it reverted to the Windows Classic thing again. I tried unistalling, reinstalling, and downloading from different sources a bunch of times to try to get it to work, but of course I couldn't. Eventually i decided to purchase WindowBlinds. So I did, I installed it from the enhanced link they send you, activated it, went to apply a theme, and...........Windows Classic! I tried uninstalling, rebooting, reinstalling, rebooting upon reinstalling, and so forth, but nothing changed. So then i contacted Stardock support. They suggested I uninstall, download Impulse, and install and download it from Impulse. So i did. And of course, Windows Classic. I uninstalled and rebooted and so on again, I even removed my registration in Impulse and registered again, but still, nothing. With nothing else to do, I headed to the forums. And that is that!

windowblinds
7,580 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kurt Klein the only thing I would suggest if you haven't done it between unintsalling, rebooting and reinstalling is running a clean up program like CCleaner and a registry cleaner (one comes with CCleaner) before reinstalling. It sounds like you might have some left over files from the free version that could be causing the problem.

Unfortunately if that doesn't work you are back to working with support folks.

I know this will sound strange but before you uninstall make sure you go back to the default Windows. Also after you reinstall, reboot. Post back and lets us know what happens.  ;) 
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
downloading from different sources
End of quote


If any of those sources were warez,you may have other nasties in your system.I'd do a thorough scan for everything.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm running the same version but have completely different dates.

A bit odd how all but 2 of your files have the same date on them.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm running the same version but have completely different dates.

A bit odd how all but 2 of your files have the same date on them.
End of quote



Would seem that way at 1st glance.

On the other hand.. here's mine:


WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 55 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(hp pavilion f50) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X

Wblind.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wbsrv.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:10
Wbconfig.exe 2008/04/29 21:02:32
Wbload.exe 2008/04/28 11:35:14
Wbhelp.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:07
Wbui.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:05
Tray.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:21
Screen.exe 2008/04/28 11:35:18




Kurt, do you have nView enabled?

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 55 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(SyncMaster 245B/245BW/245BPlus(Digital)) 1 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT

Wblind.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wbsrv.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:10
Wbconfig.exe 2008/04/29 21:02:32
Wbload.exe 2008/02/14 11:05:14
Wbhelp.dll 2007/08/27 11:54:07
Wbui.dll 2007/12/01 16:43:05
Tray.dll 2007/09/12 17:58:21
Screen.exe 2008/01/11 12:14:18


Strange indeed.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's the difference between SDC (troll)/direct link (Kurt Klein) and Impulse (Bebi).

Kurt Klein: Install via Impulse. WWW Link
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah, yrag always has the answers.

But why would Impulse have several older files, when it's the new form of distribution?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But why would Impulse have several older files, when it's the new form of distribution?
End of quote


No Idea, but you are not alone. See mine (using Impulse too). I don't think it affects WB though as everything seems to run smoothly on my end. :)

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 97 x86 - Vista Edition) - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(LG L204WT(Digital)) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

Wblind.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wblind64.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:53
Wbsrv.dll 2008/04/28 11:36:05
Wbconfig.exe 2008/04/29 21:02:32
Wbload.exe 2008/03/30 11:27:14
Wbhelp.dll 2007/08/27 12:54:07
Tray.dll 2007/09/12 18:58:21
Wbload.dll 2007/11/04 18:50:28
Screen.exe 2008/04/03 16:44:18

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kurt: If yrag's reply #6 doesn't work for you (but it kind of looks like you've already tried that), it might be helpful to know what version of Windows Vista or Windows XP you're using.

I contaced Dell Technical support, and they got it working by uninstalling it, making a new user account on my computer, and reinstalling it on the new account.
End of quote


Are you still using the same user login to install which Dell set you up with before and worked?
Is that the same login you are using now to try to apply the skins?
If not, and if you are running XP, do you know if you are trying to apply the skins using an Administrative Login or a Limited Login?

Also, I'm not clear on whether or not you got back to Stardock support (by replying to their email) to let them know you're still having trouble. If not, do that too, it might take a few exchanges back and forth to get it narrowed down, it's not necessarily a one-shot deal.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm....the dates seem to be all over the place here. Here's mine on XP.

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 55 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(Dell 2007WFP (Digital)) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS

Wblind.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wbsrv.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:10
Wbconfig.exe 2008/04/29 21:02:32
Wbload.exe 2008/04/28 11:35:14
Wbhelp.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:07
Wbui.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:05
Tray.dll 2008/04/28 11:35:21
Screen.exe 2008/04/28 11:35:18
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm....the dates seem to be all over the place here. Here's mine on XP.
End of quote


you ain't kidding......

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 55 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500
(Plug and Play Monitor) 2 is attached to NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500

Wblind.dll 2008/05/06 15:25:20
Wbsrv.dll 2008/04/30 18:21:10
Wbconfig.exe 2008/04/30 18:21:32
Wbload.exe 2008/02/14 12:05:14
Wbhelp.dll 2007/08/27 11:54:07
Wbui.dll 2007/12/01 17:43:05
Tray.dll 2007/09/12 17:58:21
Screen.exe 2008/01/11 13:14:18

Kurt,
I'm assuming your on XP since that's the file versions you have. XP needs to updated to at least SP2. The trial MUST be un-installed prior to installing the full version, and you need to disable (turn off) all anti-virus and firewalls before installing. Install from an account with administrative priviledges. nview should NOT be enabled....it conflicts with Windowblinds. If you've installed any other customization software such as tranformation packs then you should uninstall them as well. Reboot between all steps.

If you've done all this and still have issues you need to email support and reference this thread.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
DOH! I figured out the problem. I can't believe it was this simple and was right in front of me the whole time! After reading Lantec's post, I uninstalled WindowBlinds via Impulse, then disabled Trend Micro Internet security 14's personal firewall and installed it again. Presto! The way it worked was kind of strange though. I clicked apply theme and it reverted to Windows Classic. So then I clicked apply theme again. This time it stayed Windows Classic but applied the font style I had specified for the skin. Finally I restarted my computer and stormed off into another room. I came back and there sat the Molten Theme in all its glory. Thanks Lantec!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You're welcome :) Glad you got it working.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's the difference between SDC (troll)/direct link (Kurt Klein) and Impulse (Bebi).
End of quote


that, I believe there's a difference between an uninstall old/install new version as opposed to a straight update


think Neil said before on an update, it only updates the files needed
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that, I believe
End of quote


that, and I belive...
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that, and I belive...
End of quote


...nice correction Bichurski....
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How did the troll get loose? He's supposed to be chained to a stump at all times...