Component Manager Screwed UP????????????????

I take it you own a software that is registered by another person's name and serial?

I own software I paid $49.95 yet it keeps changing the registration back to this person, plus serial number. complaining back in Nov. 28, 2002 I received another CD with same problem. Plus now it shows no preview window for downloads. I do have a backup for downloads on CD but its doesn't show up in the preview window in display properties, or winstyles. I have worked and read and read until I sick. It's a great idea that an over complicated process, it needs a total overhaul. I would think Paying that price I would get the latest versions that work. It needs to be free. No answer to my e-mails to tech support.

When did you buy OD? Could it be getting close to renewal time?

That's very bizarre snd certainly not something I've ever experienced with OD on an old W98 machine and a new XP PC so something's out of whack. The programs themselves normally have worked ok for me even on old PC's although I've some people have had problems with the CM. Although nothing like someone else's registration showing up with a legit copy. At least, I haven't heard of that before. To clarify, you're having a problem with CM, WindowBlinds and Winstyles too? CM is just one way to download the programs. Once downloaded and installed CM has nothing to do with the programs on your hard drive or the downloaded skins. So did CM not install WB and WS? Sorry, but I can't understand what the specific problems are outside of someone else's registration info showing up in your CM (or at least that's what I thought you said.)

You mention a CD, did you get your CM from a Stardock OD CD? Or is that just the WC skins CD? Or did I misunderstand? Have you already downloaded CM from the website here https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/cm.html and tried that?

What I'd do first too (if you haven't already tried this as I'm not clear if you got the CM from an OD CD or not) is to enter the email you used to order OD and to see if your info is recognized by the site and you get a confirming email with the registered serial #. https://www.stardock.com/support.asp (That may sound stupid, but I'm thinking maybe that might show if the system's got your info right or not. I'd try it anyway, unless you have already done that.)

Other than that, unfortunately offhand I can't suggest anything except to see if you get some help from Stardock or if someone else here can come up with something. It took about 4 days for me recently to get a response from Stardock, FWIW.

Purchased Nov. 28, 2002 expiring Dec 2003. Its totally werd how it changes without reboot or downloading or going to the stardock site. It took me two months to figure out why it woun't allow me to function within the program or download.I though possible it was a used CD but I was sent another one, so whats the deal??

This is maybe off the wall, but are you the first user for that computer? Maybe some of someone elses info is in the registry still and is conflicting with your CD? I only ask because once I used a trial windowblinds, then deleted it. Much, much later I downloaded another trial and it showed all the skins I had downloaded before.

[to sig101] Yes the system is recognizing my e-mail and also recognizing my name when I go to the site, there's no problem. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the software with the same problem. I can download WinStyles and WindowBlinds but they don't load under display properties or winstyles and also they don't show a picture in the preview window which makes it impossible to use. I though maybe I'm downloading the winstyles from the wrong location within the program. I have taken the winstyles off a backup CD and placed them within the files manually, that doesn't work either. They still don't show up in the preview window. All other programs accessed under display properties says winstyles has generated errors and the program will be closed. Also messages Control Panel C/WINNT/System32/Desk.CPL generating errors will be closed. I tried to uninstall beta components within Component Manager it shows that it is installed however when uninstalled it says the component you have asked to uninstall is missing.

Any suggestions??? Thanks for any and all replies.

[to goodmorphing] Its a new expensive computer however I did have problems with Dell sending refurbished units. I have throughly checked the system out and can't find any signs of a former user. I did use a trial version of objectdesktop and thats exactly what it kepts reverting back to by itself but I used my name not this other name. I purchased the full package. Uh! if thats it, how do I correct the problem?

here's an ulgy thought..you might need to format your disk

Is it still under warrenty? When Dell sent refurbished units, were you aware they were doing that? Could you ask them?

I don't know how to sort through registry stuff. It would be interesting to see if Stardock has a marc collins in it's database.

Another mistake I made as a new user was to uninstall something through the control panal and not through OD. I am glad they are working on a new utility called Stardock Central that will streamline the entire download/install process.

When I uninstalled windowblinds the wrong way, things got all messed up.

GM makes a good point...open registry and do search for this guys name and his acct. #. If they come up you may be able to change them to your info

If you find some other guy's data in your registry and you thought you were buying a new computer I would think about making a complaint and requesting a verifiable new computer... free, shipping included!

I am not getting any preview pics of any kind and cannot download anything, just wondering if it's just me.

I agree..if they pulled a stunt like that I'd reel 'em in real quick > >

Dell says its a new computer but they sent me a used monitor as new. It took months to get a new one. I have a lot of issues with Dell sending a new computer with wrong Bio's then trying to replace it with refurbished unit. They replaced the motherboard and video card(not new) card as the problem when it was the wrong bios. I don't know anything about the registry or how to access or look at the registry let alone how to change anything.

there is a utility on the site Stardock site, that will make sure that any residual things from an uninstall of the componants is removed from your system, yoiu should uninstall, run that utility and then use something to clear all bad keys and links in your registry, then reinstall aftert a reboot..

that should remove everything from your system in your user folder in my doucments, and everything else on the hard drive, as far as what WAS installed. And also remove any fouled registry keys...

Dolores.. I'm a little curious..how did you get 2 different user names to post?

I would love to find out if this is a new computer by looking at the registry. HOW? Also stardock wanted the registration number before they would send a new CD. IT was sent with no futher comments.

yrag- it was pure panic when I saw my real name listed. I had already registered earlier as member user name as Polyphemus but it showed as my real name, not nice because I was upset.
I right clicked on something that asked me if I would like to change my user name and typed it in. Actually I don't have a clue, purely by accident.

In CM user info is it showing your serial number or something else? What happens when you click on the "Update Configuration" button? It has your info and then changes to the expired license/user info?

Other than waiting for a response from Stardock, I might be inclined to uninstall all OD stuff on the PC (backing up skins first so you don't lose those). Brian Hinson in the Stardock
DX Newsgroup posted a link in January to a ODNT zapper that will clean everything out. (Someone was having a problem and wanted to get a fresh start.) So if you have your skins and themes backed up for whatever apps you have, you might try that and once cleaned out and rebooted, reinstall from scratch, downloading CM from the Stardock site to begin.

Also, when installing anything, close down all other apps including any AntiVirus app you may be running. (I know people who recommend that when uninstalling stuff too.)

I don't know but assume that the zapper cleans out the CM also? If not, I'd sure get rid of that and use a registry cleaner to get any left over registry keys. I'd even clean out any Stardock cookies you might have since who knows? Corrupted WC cookies have prevented me from even accessing this site in the past, so I'd even delete any Stardock cookies, just in case, out of a superstitious belief that cookies are magic and can go bad. (Chanting and burning incense while you delete them is not required. Although I'd consider it if I had your problems. Maybe even an exorcist. )

Here's the link posted for the ODNT zapper, it's a link to an .exe so it will begin a download (which normally I don't like but that's the way it was posted in the newsgroup):

https://www.stardock.com/files/odnt_zapper.exe

Or just wait to see when you get a response from Stardock. But I'm guessing an uninstall and reinstall is the usual first step when trouble shooting, though. Again, Then start afresh with a new downloaded CM from the Stardock site. There is a new beta replacement for the CM called SDCentral. There are links to it from the appropriate Stardock newsgroup. Although it is a beta, so I'd probably just download CM directly from the Stardock site, not using the Object Desktop CD.

Where do I find this uninstall on stardocks site just to uninstall their progams and then I'll reinstall from the CD.I've never heard of that before!!!! I don't know about giving someone access to my hard drive, I'll have to check this out with a telephone call.

Thanks,

the uninstall file is a good idea..I have doubts you know what reg. or cookie cleaners are. I would,after reboot, load StardockCentral file from Stardock site and install. Put all your info in and see if it takes it. If it does then load 1 of the app.(windowsblinds or whatever you feel like) and see if it works. If it does, keep going...if not you only have 1 app. to uninstall and of course you're right back where you started.

I put the link to the OD zapper in my previous post.

Why reinstall from the CD when you've had problems with that in the past? All you have to do is download the CM from the site. They don't have access to your hard drive when you do that. You just download the file and install it to your drive. That's just what you're doing when you download programs through the CM. You do download the programs from the Stardock site through the CM, don't you? That's the whole purpose of the CM, really.