DesktopX crashed my display in XP! I need help recovering.

March 13, 2003 9:32 AM from

I tried DesktopX last night with one of the setups found on this site. I decided it was to busy for my tastes and unloaded it. This is when everything went haywire. My screen (for this particular user account) is mostly black except for the few desktop icons I have. I cannot see the Start Button, Quick Launch, or basically anything (and yes the toolbars have been activated). When I right click on the desktop, I only get the option to Refresh, no properties. Big problem is that this account is where my emails, address book, sensitive documents are/were and the I cannot return the desktop to the original state. I've uninstalled the WinStyles, DesktopX, WinBlinds and other programs and deleted the remaining directories from another account, but the primary account is still unusuable. I've been able to copy most of my docs, files, etc to a public folder, but I don't want to delete the primary user as I'll lose my emails and address book. I need big help fast. Thank you!

10,541 views 55 replies

Reply #1 March 13, 2003 9:37 AM from

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Control-Alt-Delete and go in the task manager.
Look at the list. You sure Desktop X is not still running? Or maybe Objectbar?

Reply #2 March 13, 2003 10:17 AM from

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I can't access the taskmanager from this account. When I try, nothing comes up that's visible. Any folders that I can open have a giant grey square to the upper left that closes the window when clicked on. The view window shows folders without names visible until I click next to the folder. It's nearly impossible to see anything. Icons are huge, I can't scroll around.

Anything I need to do to fix this will have to probably be from another login account. The other logins are not affected.

Thanks

Reply #3 March 13, 2003 10:20 AM from

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Maybe just, U tried restarting your computer rite?

Reply #4 March 13, 2003 10:23 AM from

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Go on differeet user and press task manager... then the second button at the top, then press show stuff from all users... u must be able to get sumthing like that

Reply #5 March 13, 2003 10:43 AM from

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log on as a different user, do a web search for TaskInfo2003
and then download the trial version, install it on your system
log off, log back in under the screwed user name, start TaskInfo when the system is done loading...

Look and see if DTX and or OB are loading.... if so, kill the tasks...

your display will normalize, such as it is, and then you can work from there on removing DTX and or OB from loading on bootup if that is what is happening...

also you should download something like Metaproducts Startup Orginizer which allows you to add or remove something from loading on boot up from various hidden areas of your regisrty with the click of the mouse and un-checking a check box...

Reply #6 March 13, 2003 11:34 AM from

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What you are describing does not sound like a DesktopX problem. DesktopX doesn't modify/change any windows settings. What happens when you press the Windows Key or Ctrl-Esc? Do you see any start menu at all? Also do you have any antivirus installed? The only thing that I can think of that would cause the problems you describe is something that has totally screwed up system files and/or registry settings.

If possible go to safe mode and see if you can do anything from there also. Also you may want to try running Msconfig and disable all startup items too.

Reply #7 March 13, 2003 11:37 AM from

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Just to clarify by not change windows settings I mean that it doesn't modify Windows controls like close buttons or the actual borders etc. Another thought just hit me. Is there any chance that you enabled security settings in DX? You can lock it up pretty tight using those settings. If you have you may need to open regedit from an administrator account and wipe out all DesktopX related info in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software and in Any HKEY_USERS\\Stardock.

Reply #8 March 13, 2003 11:43 AM from

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gah

it munged my text.

Third time lucky.

You may need to open regedit from an administrator account and wipe out all DesktopX related info in \\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software and in any/all \\HKEY_USERS\<whatever>\Stardock

Reply #9 March 13, 2003 11:43 AM from

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give this account admin rights so that you can access the tools you need.

Reply #10 March 13, 2003 11:52 AM from

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use system restore go back to a time b4 your problems started. you can use any account that has admin rights.

Reply #11 March 13, 2003 1:55 PM from

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um, but if it is autoloading dtx and ob, and one of them is a screwy theme with plugin it could change his interface all wackybobo...

Reply #12 March 13, 2003 6:17 PM from

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"Any folders that I can open have a giant grey square to the upper left that closes the window when clicked on. The view window shows folders without names visible until I click next to the folder. It's nearly impossible to see anything. Icons are huge, I can't scroll around."

This does not sound like DX. DX does not affect what happens to explorer windows. Nor does OB.

Reply #13 March 13, 2003 7:14 PM from

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And everyone wonders why I do not use DX or objectbar anymore? The two programs completely wiped one of my user accounts. I am waiting for a better DX before I try again.

Reply #14 March 13, 2003 7:19 PM from

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Myself,,It would appear that DX has turned into LiteStep.It was nice while it lasted though.I will miss it.

Reply #15 March 13, 2003 7:31 PM from

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What do you mean by it's turned into litestep?

Reply #16 March 13, 2003 8:10 PM from

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I guess what I meant was DX used to be something I used with confidence for a long time.But with all the changes here lately the "Power User",I.E.,someone who has time to reformat and re-install OS instead of enjoying Digital Nirvana.Now DX as well as LiteStep has become unusable for the average user.Now with DX we are faced with Registry editing and file installing.Well not for me and I hope to help save someone,anyone lots of time and frustration by steering them around these programs.I have seen on this board Litestep eat people alive all to the amusement of the RTFM crew running the show here.So heads up computer novices.Some of these programs will shut you down.I would also suggest never adding these programs to your startup.That way once your booted and on solid ground you can then reach for these potentially hobbling programs.

Reply #17 March 13, 2003 9:08 PM from

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I have never run into a problem with DX that I could not get out of by simply killing the task in the taskmanager. The betas available to Object Desktop users are admittedly having issues but these are betas and that is expected and those are simply that the trayserver was not being installed or dll's were missing, nothing more serious than that. There is no real need to delve into the registry unless you have enabled all security settings in DX and not given yourself a button non the desktop to get back out.

Reply #18 March 13, 2003 9:30 PM from

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I personnally don't understand the Litestep dig. With ShellOn2 it is icredibly easy to get in and out of Litestep. I also have heard good things about the Litestep Installer tho I have never tried it myself.

Reply #19 March 13, 2003 9:31 PM from

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I wonder as well how much longer the "Help" link on the DX page will actually take you somewhere you might learn something instead of the dead "Help" link on the LiteStep page.Someone should fix that.It has been useless for a long time.At least delete it if it is not going to offer any support.Dead links speak much louder than words.I can only hope DX will be sorted and not head down LS's path.Although after reading about other peoples misery with DX of late I would not put much money on that bet.

Reply #20 March 13, 2003 9:32 PM from

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*incredibly >

Reply #21 March 14, 2003 12:00 AM from

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I agree with post #16 and 19 from brazil. I use StyleXP (I NEVER had to mess with any of the windows XP .dll files to install it or run it) and ydock. to many problems with DX, Objectbar and LS. Why can't Stardock produce a program that works like StyleXP? it does everything in one fail swoop. (and don't give me that "winstyles does it all" BS. yes it does but you have to have all the other programs first. StyleXP does everything objectbar, DX, cusorXP, and weblinds and windowblinds.)

Reply #22 March 14, 2003 1:25 AM from

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WinStyles is what ruined my last computer.It never recovered fully from a version install,I do not remember which one.This happened before my close and intimate relationship with System Restore.But as of today of all the programs available on OD I can use less than half of them with confidence.CursorXP.I have booted into a frozen cursor since the new version many times.FX,drops all viewable content on restore.DX,hence this thread.Litestep,never again.Objectbar,Mac Mimic and bugs.WinStyles,crash city with lots of error screens,and maybe a new computer,hehe.And for the finn-ally,the "Premium Themes" are delivered to us in what? Winstyles,see above.

Reply #23 March 14, 2003 1:34 AM from

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Hey Brazil...

After I installed objectbar and DX and webblinds and windowsblinds I made my computer look like a mac (before the big apple controversy) with the help of logonstudio and bootXP. DX and objectbar screwed up my system so bad system restore didn't even work. I had to use partition magic to resize my HD, then I had to move my MP3's to the other drive, and then I had to reformat with windows ME. After a while I reinstalled XP PRO then got Style XP. Never had a problem after that. Told stardock about all this to.

Reply #24 March 14, 2003 3:07 AM from

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I dunno kona,just had a look at StyleXP.I didn't dig it nearly as much as here.I think without a doubt this is the dopiest site on the Skinning thang.They are the best and they have the best,BoXXi,TreeTog,Jake11,Esorant,Ingui,DuoPixels,Voodoo_Freak,and there are so many more too.I know it is an impossible task to take into consideration all of the different configurations of all the OEM's.And until this last move Stardock has busted everythings been very smooth for the most part.There is no doubt all will be in order very soon and better than ever.I am sorry to hear about your disaster though,,do you think it was LogOn Studio and BootXP clackin' heads that caused your downtime?You made it sound like things were going well until that conflict.Just curious.

Reply #25 March 14, 2003 3:15 AM from

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oh hell, kona and brazil, your from Razor art huh?

pipwell, I do apoligise, I was thinking of Aston going blewy on me like that...

DTX and or OB can be shut down with a three finger salute anytime any day... IF for any reason one had to go about it that way...

my bad...

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