Object bars hang on more complex skins

I don't think any skins that are not active would have any effect on performance. It sounds like you are using the "Import Windowblinds Skin" function of ObjectBar. If so, there may be something wrong with the files in the current skin directory. With all the fiddling I have done with ObjectBar, I have never seen a "object bars is deleting" message. When you updated OB, did you allow it to update the skins? If you have a corruption in a skin file, that would fix it. I think I would try uninstalling ObjectBar, re-booting and re-installing it.

Hmmm. Well, it started happening quite awhile ago. I have just been blaiming it on RAM. I unloaded OB and installed the new one. I was kind of hoping the fix was for this problem. I thought it was bigger skins. But last night I tried Nicely and Suspiria. Nicely is larger and it worked fine. It hung on Suspiria. I kind of wonder if it is a unique file or something, because I it kind of happens a lot with Boxxi's skins. But if I close nearly everything down (before I have too much trouble) I can get them loaded. That is what makes it seem like a RAM problem, but when I look at my meter... well it says I have enough.

I really have no problems with most of the stuff, but installing and updating OB is daunting for me. All my work gets erased. I may have to do that, though. Thank you.

GM..Uninstalling OB will not erase any skin that it did not install. If you have edited any skins that came with OB, just tuck a copy of them away somewhere else on your hard drive before uninstalling.

I will try converting Suspiria and see if I can figure out what is happening.

I had no problem importing Suspiria. It suffers from the white on the sides of the menu panels because it needs transparency and Objectbar doesn't seem to be able to do this properly. If you use Regions=1 and turn off transparency, it will show without white or pink, but Menu comes up funny when clicked (seems to not show all at once, but sort of one panel at a time)and sometimes flashes black.

But, as to your problem, I'm couldn't help because I couldn't reproduce the error. Sorry.

I have a very low end computer (I built it 3-4 years ago), but it does have 256mg of ram. I don't know if ram could be your problem or not.

I have seen this before. It was a RAM problem and also had something to do with the skin. I noticed that windowblind skins designed as of late with XP ability do not always work well with Object Bar. Not sure why yet...

Thanks for all the effort jebland! I feel more confident about updating and reinstalling OB now.

Do you think that the XP importing problem relates to some subtle difference between XP home edition and XP professional? I am using XP home. Maybe the importing route is a little more circuitous for home if the skin was made with XP professional in mind (and therefore RAM becomes more of a problem)? Are there differences in the way they skin?

Another thing I wondered is if it matters where you have your associations assigned? Mine are kind of scattered (or maybe it doesn't even matter with an application).

Last time I tried to put in my own RAM chip I shook so hard and sweated so much that I thought I was going to ruin the machine, so I gave up and took it to the store. This new machine looks like it has easier access, so maybe I will try again.

I really should be able to care for the hard parts of my computer myself.

If I were going to invest in a PC reference book ($$ is kind of a factor) what one would be good for a novice?

If I were going to keep up, what magazine would be good to read?

If I were going to work inside my machine, what minimal tools should I have... my brother kind of tied himself to the tower with a kind of bungee cord/clip device. Do I need that?

How much RAM makes a computer more than satisfied (more like happy)? How much RAM thrills it?

um... sorry so many questions.

Do you think that the XP importing problem relates to some subtle difference between XP home edition and XP professional? I am using XP home. Maybe the importing route is a little more circuitous for home if the skin was made with XP professional in mind (and therefore RAM becomes more of a problem)? Are there differences in the way they skin?

I don't think so, but I am on Win2k

Associations should not be a factor. I think all of Stardock's programs set their associations.

If I were going to invest in a PC reference book ($$ is kind of a factor) what one would be good for a novice?

Almost anything you could want to know is available on the net. Much more than any book I have ever seen. (Just have to search for it)

I subscribe to Maximum PC Magazine, and several tech newsletters.

This is a pretty good newsletter for XP
http://www.winxpnews.com/?id=52

And this one is good for general PC knowledge
http://www.langa.com/

No, I don't use a grounding strap but I live beside a lake, and dry air is not a factor. (the grounding strap is for static electricity) A small phillips screwdriver and a small blade screwdriver is about all you need for most things.

How much ram? Well I've read 256 to 512 is best for XP, but no first hand experience. Win2k is happy with 256. (I don't know what would thrill it)

Thanks! I will make use of those links. I usually am a real easy mark in a store. It would be like me to come home with some kind of book (or likely some fancy whole set) that was way over my head and "essential" if I went out shopping for something.

I guess since I live in the middle of a big puddle I don't need to get a grounding strap. As nervous as I got last time I opened a tower, static electricity was far from being a problem....

Maybe since it is close to Christmas and since we both can use a boost... I will seek to "thrill" my computer. I am definitly running on minimal now, I hadn't realized that.

Thanks again.

The problem with books is that they become obsolete so quickly. Back in the good old days (when I had a real job), I bought a lot of books, but they are pretty much worthless now because technology moves so fast.

If you buy your memory locally, you might ask about installation. A number of stores will install it free when you buy the memory from them.

I am glad to help you, GM. I remember what a nice comment you left on my JWood Windowblinds. I was afraid nobody would like it (actually hardly anybody did ), but your remarks made me feel more confident.

I am trying to learn more about PSP so I can do better next time. I've done a lot of tutorials, and will just have to see if I can translate it into anything creative.

I know what you mean about books.

Well, about the memory, I go everywhere by bus. Last time, after I gave up trying to get it in myself, I hauled the thing across town and onto a bus.... when I got there I got into a big fight with the store. One guy had promised I could bring it in, the one at the counter said that was wrong. They finally agreed to take it and the next thing I knew the counter guy came out gloating.... he said my computer had serious software problems. Nothing at all was working. Well, I knew it was in good shape and I just wanted to gather it up and take it home safe. But he wouldn't let it go, and kept ranting on about how bad shape it was in. How much it would cost..."IF" they could rescue it. Finally he said "it don't even have icons on the desktop". Well, you get the picture. I just told him that I never have had icons on my desktop and please just give my computer back. Finally someone else took over. I just couldn't face all that again, and this tower is even bigger. I would rather learn to build my own than deal with some "expert" like that again. This was at a real well known place.

Your skin (JWood https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?searchtext=Jwood&sort=updatedate&order=Descending&library=1) is beautiful! I grew up in the wilderness, far away from any city. I miss the deep woods almost all the time and this is a good reminder. I think more people like skins than comment. I'm not a skinner or anything, so about the only way I can give back is to make sure people know how much their work is appreciated.

Wish I could pop over and help you when you get ready to do this, but it's too far to drive Just a few more comments, and then we better let this thread die.

1. Check the documentation on your computer to see what kind of memory it uses. There are a lot of different kinds, and you need to be sure it is compatible with your motherboard and existing memory.

2. Check how many available slots you have.

3. Unless you are working with Photoshop or doing video editing, 256mb or so is usually enough.

4. When you buy the memory, don't take it out of the sack till you have your computer opened and you are ready to do the install. (Touching the metal case grounds you)

5. Any probs, feed free to e-mail me.

6. Good luck.

p.s. I have had a lot of unpleasant experiences with CustomerService/Tech Support, but your story tops them. I usually either (1) get a hold of someone that knows less than I do, or (2) they know what they are talking about but assume that I am "clueless" just because I am female.