Weird things going on.

BREED theme

from Stardock Forums

Hi. I have a really weird problem with Windowblinds (7.42 (325-Windows 7 Edition)).

Wblind.dll             2012/07/13 14:23:20
Wblind64.dll          2012/07/13 14:24:18
Wbsrv.dll              2011/09/26 16:10:56
SevenConfig.exe   2012/07/09 18:44:31
Wbload.exe          2010/10/20 17:08:35
Wbhelp.dll            2011/10/04 11:01:37
Tray.dll                2009/10/23 21:12:19
Wbload.dll            2010/06/07 16:59:25
Screen.exe           2010/06/07 16:59:43

Some months ago I bought an Alienware M17xR2 laptop, and with it was shipped a program called "MyColors" (which I supposed is a light version of WindowBlinds since both programs was made by you guys). Anyway, I loaded the "BREED" Alienware theme into it, and it looks like this:

http://www.hyperunknown.net/breed-01.png

Notice the minimize/restore/quit buttons of the window there. All 3 are flat and rectangular. That's how I want them to be, because it saves space (and looks better). So, no problem so far. Now, I installed a Windows 7 box virtually because I wanted to try out some things for work (VPN and such), so I bought Windowblinds a few weeks after I bought the laptop. However, when running *THE SAME* theme (actually the exact same file loaded) it looks like this:

http://www.hyperunknown.net/breed-02.png

Notice the minimize/restore/quit buttons. The quit button is a lot larger and a circle instead of rectangular, and also the surrounding graphics of the window takes up a lot more space. Naturally, I first thought that I loaded another skin, which is not the issue. Also, it's not that the skin has several versions in it. Now here's the REALLY weird part. On the non-virtual computer where it's working, with all 3 buttons being flat and rectangular, if I open WindowBlinds there, it shows the "wrong" version of the skin in the preview window. I don't dare change skin even just in case it might mess up. Here's a screenshot of that:

http://www.hyperunknown.net/breed-03.png

Notice how the window itself has the 3 flat buttons, while the preview has the rounded one, and BOTH versions of the skins down in the "Alternative skin styles" have the rounded one.

I've tried using only MyColors, and then it works. However, it's the blue one, and you can't change colors (to plain white) in MyColors. I've tried installing WindowBlinds after MyColors and having both installed, but when I start WindowBlinds it "reverts" to the rounded version of the skin. How come I can't see the flat-buttoned skin anywhere, even though it's obviously loaded? And how can I get it back once I reinstall my computer (as I need to do in a few weeks time - I'm really glad I caught this virtually first).

I'm confused! :D

windowblinds
2,285 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have had issues where installing a blind after making changes to the skin, will revert partially in some areas , back to the original skin. This was due to the fact I was not deleting the skin folder, not the wba, from the windowblinds skins folder , before making a new wba. So maybe if you have not tried, try  deleting the folder, then reapply the wba to see if it helps.

 

Sounds like different apps saving images elsewhere for that apps usage, causing confusion to windowblinds. Just my speculation though.Luck.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Indeed, could be that WindowBlinds saves files in another folder than MyColors.. But then again, the skin wouldn't be loaded by WindowBlinds in the first place. Also I never made any changes to a skin (like with an editor or whatnot), which makes it all even more weird ><

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Could be problems because MyColors support ended some time ago. I believe you'd actually have to get support on this problem from Alienware Support.

Now you also mention you have WB 7.42 installed. It's possible that the MyColors (which hasn't been updated in some time) has incompatibilities with WB which has evolved without consideration to MyColors.

MyColors has a form of WB in it to apply the MyColors skins, so my thought is that these two forms of WB are 'competing' for those skin parts where you see "changes" from the baseline skin.

Do you unload WB and apply MS Aero before engaging WB? If not, that might be the solution.

I'd advise emailing [email protected] and including the url of this thread. Keep the auto-reply (has your ticket number). DON'T write again until an actual person addresses your problem.

However, please note the first sentence in my reply and send a request for support to Alienware as well.