Problems updating and support problems

To All who have had problems, frustrations, etc. in getting programs downloaded, Registry Keys / Activation Keys sent, and all of the myriad problems we, as paying CUSTOMERS, have experienced over a long time, through multiple versions upgrades and updates, and multiple 'systems' such as online downloads, ObjectDesktop / ObjectDock, Stardock Central, and now Impulse. The list is large, and the people affected are legion.

This (lengthy) post documents my attempts at resolution not only in the forums, but private messages and emails to [email protected]. Read and decide for yourselves - if nothing else, at least for a good laugh at my expense (figuratively AND literally). I am sure that moderators and so-called Forum helpers will not be overly amused, and I will either receive NEGATIVE Karma or be 'banned'. Such are the modern day 'rewards' for TRUTH.

Post follows:

Originally sent as:

Private Messages (Sent / Tracked Messages)     From Site           Message Date     
Re: updating WindowBlinds                            Stardock Forums  Sent Oct 16, 2010
to Rosco_P                                                                           23:06
        
Private Message : Re: updating WindowBlinds
kc9718
Sent Oct 16, 2010 23:06

Hello,

I am having a heck of a time recovering from a family member screwing around with my AT&T account (I've since removed them totally from my account and set up a password with AT&T to prevent it from happening again)

Bottom line, I ended up as a result losing my old email account and ALL emails it contained, including my Stardock folder.

I originally downloaded, installed, and registered/activated Stardock, ObjectDock, and WindowBlinds, back in the 3rd quarter of 2008. The version of WindowBlinds is an old one, and back on 06/09/2010 I had to completely reformat my hard drive and re-install everything, so all the Stardock, ObjectDock, and WindowBlinds were from the old original install programs I had saved from a couple of years ago.
 

I am trying to update (NOT 'upgrade' to a different version) to the latest version 6 updates for my original version 6.02 of WindowBlinds:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Windows XP
Build 2600 xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.02 (build 43 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 6150SE nForce 430

Wblind.dll         2008/01/08 14:01:20
Wbsrv.dll         2010/06/09 13:33:10
Wbconfig.exe         2008/01/11 13:36:35
Wbload.exe         2007/09/27 15:42:44
Wbhelp.dll         2007/07/11 14:06:07
Wbui.dll         2007/11/05 20:20:05
Tray.dll              2007/09/12 17:58:21
Screen.exe         2010/06/09 13:33:18

PLEASE report all this information when submitting a problem report, especially anything related to per-pixel skinning. We don't know what's in that notebook from last summer.  Per-pixel skinning requires your drivers to at least claim to support the SB_

_________________________________________________________________________________

In the "Readme.txt" I found this info:

"WindowBlinds 6.02
    Enhanced build for registered users - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE
    https://forums.stardock.com/?forumid=167
 
    A component of ObjectDesktop.net
 
----------------------------------------------------

Be sure to check out the included Classic, Diamond, Leo, and
Molten skins!

Thank you for your interest in WindowBlinds!

If this is the first time you have used
WindowBlinds, welcome to a new way to customize
your OS. We are pleased you've downloaded a
copy of WindowBlinds and we look forward to
your comments and suggestions (use the newsgroup
linked above).

    Activation for enhanced builds
    ------------------------------
    Registered Versions of the SOFTWARE require
    Internet access to activate the installed software.

    (which I had and have DSL with no proxies and verified my firewall was and is not blocking           activation)
    Alternatively, users may send an email with
    a special code to be sent back the file needed
    to activate the Registered Version on a machine
    without direct Internet access.

    Please see https://www.stardock.com/StardockActivationInfo.asp
    for more information."
    (which I did, and found no help, again because I no longer have my old email address and serial number to enter into the form)

After going through every forum, following all links, registering with Stardock and Impulse with my new email - since my original email address is null & void, then requesting my Serial Numbers/Registration Code/Key Info (which is useless since nothing shows under my NEW email) - I STILL cannot enter my info. I found a reference to Activate WindowBlinds again, but cannot find any button/link/etc. labeled "Activate" anywhere in the Configuration screens anymore. I even went to my folder C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds and found the program "Activate" (version 1.0.4.6) and clicked to open it - nothing happened - tried running it under Administrator, same results. I have gone through my Install log, and Registry - with no Registration/Serial Numbers to be found - only finding:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache

value name
value data
C:\Program Files\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe
RocketDock
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Impulse\Impulse.exe
Stardock Impulse
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Impulse\Now\ImpulseNow.exe
Impulse Now
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\Activate.exe
Stardock Product Activation
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\screen.exe
Screen
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\wbconfig.exe
WindowBlinds Configuration

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock

with ComponentManager, ImpulseNow, WindowBlinds, and WindowFX Subkeys - but again, no Registration/Serial numbers.

Impulse is no help, as it shows My Software to be "WindowBlinds v0.0" with an upgrade available for WindowBlinds 7.1. I even clicked on the blue box in the left corner to 'Detect Application", selected Product Category "My Software", Product "WindowBlinds6", and Application Install Directory "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds". It then said "WindowBlinds6 was found and will now show as Installed in Impulse". I then shut down and reopened Impulse, which STILL showed WindowBlinds v0.0 under "My Software". I tried "View Serial Number" and nothing happened. I also went to "More" and "More Info" which showed I could buy WindowBlinds 7 for $19.95. Again, under "More" I tried "Re-Activate" and nothing happened. As a last resort, I tried "Register Product", only to be asked for the serial number that I don't have.

I went back to the forums, and found your reply to "updating windows blind By jonny569 on August 24, 2010 1:23:00 PM from Stardock Forums"

"August 24, 2010 5:32:28 PM from WinCustomize Forums WinCustomize Forums

It looks like there was an issue with the bundle you purchased for WindowBlinds 6.  I've added a registration manually to your account, so you can have your serial number sent to you by entering your email address here:

https://www.stardock.com/support

From that, you should be able to upgrade."

That is why I am contacting you, in hopes there is SOME WAY to recover and install just the latest (or cumulative) updates for WindowBlinds 6

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Kevin D. Clapp / kc9718 / [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After receiving no reply of any kind, I then emailed [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help with updating (Not UPGRADING to a different version) WindowBlinds
Thursday, October 21, 2010 4:33 AM
From: "Kevin Clapp" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]

Hello,

I am having a heck of a time recovering from a family member screwing around with my AT&T account (I've since removed them totally from my account and set up a password with AT&T to prevent it from happening again)

Bottom line, I ended up as a result losing my old email account and ALL emails it contained, including my Stardock folder.

I originally downloaded, installed, and registered/activated Stardock, ObjectDock, and WindowBlinds, back in the 3rd quarter of 2008. The version of WindowBlinds is an old one, and back on 06/09/2010 I had to completely reformat my hard drive and re-install everything, so all the Stardock, ObjectDock, and WindowBlinds were from the old original install programs I had saved from a couple of years ago.
 

I am trying to update (NOT 'upgrade' to a different version) to the latest version 6 updates for my original version 6.02 of WindowBlinds:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Windows XP
Build 2600 xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.02 (build 43 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 6150SE nForce 430

Wblind.dll         2008/01/08 14:01:20
Wbsrv.dll         2010/06/09 13:33:10
Wbconfig.exe         2008/01/11 13:36:35
Wbload.exe         2007/09/27 15:42:44
Wbhelp.dll         2007/07/11 14:06:07
Wbui.dll         2007/11/05 20:20:05
Tray.dll              2007/09/12 17:58:21
Screen.exe         2010/06/09 13:33:18

PLEASE report all this information when submitting a problem report, especially anything related to per-pixel skinning. We don't know what's in that notebook from last summer.  Per-pixel skinning requires your drivers to at least claim to support the SB_

_________________________________________________________________________________

In the "Readme.txt" I found this info:

"WindowBlinds 6.02
    Enhanced build for registered users - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE
    https://forums.stardock.com/?forumid=167
 
    A component of ObjectDesktop.net
 
----------------------------------------------------

Be sure to check out the included Classic, Diamond, Leo, and
Molten skins!

Thank you for your interest in WindowBlinds!

If this is the first time you have used
WindowBlinds, welcome to a new way to customize
your OS. We are pleased you've downloaded a
copy of WindowBlinds and we look forward to
your comments and suggestions (use the newsgroup
linked above).

    Activation for enhanced builds
    ------------------------------
    Registered Versions of the SOFTWARE require
    Internet access to activate the installed software.
    (which I had and have DSL with no proxies and verified my firewall was and is not blocking activation)
    Alternatively, users may send an email with
    a special code to be sent back the file needed
    to activate the Registered Version on a machine
    without direct Internet access.

    Please see https://www.stardock.com/StardockActivationInfo.asp
    for more information."
    (which I did, and found no help, again because I no longer have my old email address and serial number to enter into the form)

After going through every forum, following all links, registering with Stardock and Impulse with my new email - since my original email address is null & void, then requesting my Serial Numbers/Registration Code/Key Info (which is useless since nothing shows under my NEW email) - I STILL cannot enter my info. I found a reference to Activate WindowBlinds again, but cannot find any button/link/etc. labeled "Activate" anywhere in the Configuration screens anymore. I even went to my folder C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds and found the program "Activate" (version 1.0.4.6) and clicked to open it - nothing happened - tried running it under Administrator, same results. I have gone through my Install log, and Registry - with no Registration/Serial Numbers to be found - only finding:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache

value name
value data
C:\Program Files\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe
RocketDock
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Impulse\Impulse.exe
Stardock Impulse
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Impulse\Now\ImpulseNow.exe
Impulse Now
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\Activate.exe
Stardock Product Activation
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\screen.exe
Screen
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\wbconfig.exe
WindowBlinds Configuration

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock

with ComponentManager, ImpulseNow, WindowBlinds, and WindowFX Subkeys - but again, no Registration/Serial numbers.

Impulse is no help, as it shows My Software to be "WindowBlinds v0.0" with an upgrade available for WindowBlinds 7.1. I even clicked on the blue box in the left corner to 'Detect Application", selected Product Category "My Software", Product "WindowBlinds6", and Application Install Directory "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds". It then said "WindowBlinds6 was found and will now show as Installed in Impulse". I then shut down and reopened Impulse, which STILL showed WindowBlinds v0.0 under "My Software". I tried "View Serial Number" and nothing happened. I also went to "More" and "More Info" which showed I could buy WindowBlinds 7 for $19.95. Again, under "More" I tried "Re-Activate" and nothing happened. As a last resort, I tried "Register Product", only to be asked for the serial number that I don't have.

That is why I am contacting you, in hopes there is SOME WAY to recover and install just the latest (or cumulative) updates for WindowBlinds 6.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Kevin D. Clapp / kc9718 / [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- On Fri, 10/22/10, Stardock Technical Support <[email protected]> wrote:


    From: Stardock Technical Support <[email protected]>
    Subject: [#QXE-673572]: Help with updating (Not UPGRADING to a different version)    WindowBlinds
    To: [email protected]
    Date: Friday, October 22, 2010, 2:33 PM

    Hello,

    What was the old email address that you no longer have access to?

    Matt Bertsch
    Technical Advisor
    Stardock Systems, Inc.
    http://www.impulsedriven.com
 
    Ticket Details
    Ticket ID: QXE-673572
    Department: Activation / Account
    Priority: Support
    Status: On Hold

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: [#QXE-673572]: Help with updating (Not UPGRADING to a different version) WindowBlinds
Friday, October 22, 2010 3:50 PM
From: "Kevin Clapp" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]

My *OLD* address was :
[email protected]
 
After all the problems and I got everything taken care of, my *NEW* address through AT&T is:
[email protected]
 
I am using my yahoo address ([email protected]) to simplify our communications

Kevin Clapp

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- On Mon, 10/25/10, Stardock Technical Support <[email protected]> wrote:

    From: Stardock Technical Support <[email protected]>
    Subject: [#QXE-673572]: Help with updating (Not UPGRADING to a different version) WindowBlinds
    To: [email protected]
    Date: Monday, October 25, 2010, 2:00 PM

    Hello,

    I'm not seeing any registrations under any of those email addresses, or your name. Are there any other email addresses you may have used?

    Matt Bertsch
    Technical Advisor
    Stardock Systems, Inc.
    http://www.impulsedriven.com

    Ticket Details
    Ticket ID: QXE-673572
    Department: Activation / Account
    Priority: Support
    Status: On Hold

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: [#QXE-673572]: Help with updating (Not UPGRADING to a different version) WindowBlinds
Thursday, October 28, 2010 11:24 PM
From: "Kevin Clapp" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]

It has been a little over two years since I originally purchased Stardock, ObjectDock, and WindowBlinds 6. I have had several email addresses during that time - including Hotmail / SbcGlobal / Yahoo / MWSU.edu / and Gmail, but ALL have under my name, Kevin D. Clapp, and user name of kc9718 *EXCEPT* for this last one of [email protected].

So, since as you say, you can't even find anything under MY NAME - Kevin D. Clapp / Kevin Dee Clapp, then I have to assume that my records are 'lost'.  Thanks for trying to find my info, anyway. Between the original online order, Stardock Central, and now this new Impulse, it really doesn't surprise me at all that my records have been 'lost'. Let me know when, or IF, Stardock ever bothers to develop a standardized FUNCTIONING system for ordering/updating your products - perhaps then I may return as a customer.

During this entire process of trying to obtain my WindowBlinds 6 updates (NOT trying to finagle an UPGRADE to a program I had not purchased), I have been through a an in-depth search of the forums concerning Stardock, WindowBlinds, and WinCustomize, and it would appear that I am just one of MANY having this same or very similar problem. - all the way up to this last UPGRADE of WindowBlinds 7. As a student of Probability & Statistics, I would definitely say that this phenomenon FAR exceeds the realm of 'chance' or 'probability'. Which leads to one of several hypothesis of 'possibility' - 1.) Human error; 2.) Corruption or loss of Data while being transferred from one 'new' database sytem to another (ad infinitum); or 3.) as is so often observed in companies of late - Designed failure or deliberate 'loss' - guaranteeing more and more increased monetary revenue - ethically known as GREED.

Whatever the reason, I am very disappointed in the so-called "Support" from Stardock. I had until recently considered the stance of "Oh well, I guess I might as well just PURCHASE WindowBlinds 7 to get the latest version release and hopefully 'guaranteed' updates." Again, the information in the various Forums has led me to the conclusion that even that would not 'guarantee' I would even be able to get the 7 version, let alone updates.

So, thank you for what I considered to be a wonderful program, which brought me many hours of enjoyment. I will be deleting the program I have now, and all files, folders, registry entries, and any other remnants. Perhaps I will end up purchasing a similar, but not as good a program from one of many competitors - but my final decision will be determined by the effectiveness and longer-standing SUPPORT offered.

Please, feel free to close this ticket out under your standard "RESOLVED" heading which means one of two things: 1.) "We fixed the problem", or 2.) "If you don't like the way we are constantly changing our methods and means of support - GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.!". I, however will know, and 'advertise' by word of mouth to all family, friends, and College Campus exactly what manner in which my case was 'resolved'. Hopefully, some day Stardock may remember, or perhaps 're-learn', that in order to have good customer support, one needs CUSTOMERS first.
 
Kevin D. Clapp