WB Problems Plz Help.

from JoeUser Forums
Hi! I had WindowBlinds 4 Enhanced on my PC before and it worked no problem at all. I formatted and reinstalled windowblinds because I wanted to get rid of that awful luna. *Any* skin I try always does the same thing: Skin works fine except it sets the taskbar and start menu to windows classic and doesn't skin it. Giving me a great looking skin except for the start bar, which is *very* disappointing, especially using the enhanced version.
Help!
windowblinds
12,635 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When you say formatted, do you mean completely and fresh install of Windows. If so not needed to get rid of that awful luna all that is needed is to disable Themes in services. What Windows do you have 95,98,2000,XP home,XP pro.
I have XP Home and even with classic start menu selected it is skinned. I think you may have messed something up when you formatted but I am no expert. Since it did work before format can not see it being a problem with WindowBlinds.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have Xp home but i meant luna as in the general look of the windows and start bar not themes sorry. It must be WB. Anyone have more on this?
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Still need to know what you formatted.
And if it was working fine that is WB, what awful luna look did you need to get rid of.
Why must it be WB, it worked fine before you formatted whatever it is you formatted, so it worked, you messed with whatever, now it does not work so it must be WB.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Copy all your skin folders to a temporary folder, unload WindowBlinds.

Right-click desktop > Properties > Themes tab > select Windows XP in the theme list, then click "Apply".

If you are using Icon Packager, use the Tools > Restore All Icons > click "Yes" > click "OK" - to return all icons to default.

Download and run this Link - using the uninstall tab to select and remove WindowBlinds.

Reboot computer.

Reinstall WindowBlinds > test functionality by applying a prepackaged skin that comes with WindowBlinds.

I hope this helps.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky.... I have to know. Why do you suggest that icons be restored, when uninstalling WindowBlinds. WindowBlinds has nothing to do with icons........
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK Thanks I'll try that but I'm skeptical. Anyways I'll get back to you with my results!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
K-

Two reasons:

1 - Mostly to avoid confusion after applying the default theme.

When using the Themes tab to select and apply the default theme, I have seen (every so often) the icons that used to be on the desktop by default in older windows (My Computer, My Documents, My Network Places, and Recycle Bin), change back to the defaults and leaves other icons in an applied package in place.

2 - Due to the option in Basic Settings > Enhanced Desktop elements to "Apply any icon packages supplied.

As you know, I am not a coder, so do not know what might be holding on to the program options in all cases.

Since he was having issues, I thought it best to set all back in the hands of the XP theme engine > uninstall > reinstall to get a chance at a clean install of WB - though I forgot to tell him to delete WB sub-directory.

Let me know if you consider this overkill, and I can adjust my advice to suit the best interests of WC, Stardock, Admins and Wizops.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No, unfortuneately that doesn't work. I suppose I could use object bar and make another taskbar which I can skin but I never seem very good at that! Any more ideas guys?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Format again.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No way, not after having to speak to the lovely Kamir at Microsoft Support because my product key wouldn't go through. And having to reinstall all my stuff again, no.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
On a side note, I'd like to ask another question. Is it possible to make animated icons for object dock (e.g a recycle bin that when emptied turns over and all the stuff flys out the bottom of the screen?)
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky... makes sense to me...... don't change a thing. I had no frame of reference. It's been a really long time since I've uninstalled WindowBlinds.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Meowy... if you have nothing constructive to offer, probably best to remain silent in the support forums.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Outlaw999,

Have you tried setting Windows theme to classic then applying a skin?

You might give it a go, then restore the Windows XP theme, and try again.

Sometimes toggling the options can set things straight.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK cheers I'll try that

EDIT: No, that doesn't work either!
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is StyleXP a "reasonable" alternative to windowblinds??? And another thing to note, windowblinds hasnt added itself into control panel's display settings. Just noticed
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I do not know about StyleXP, but have heard that it can co-exist on the computer as long as it is disabled if running WindowBlinds.

Which version exactly are you running of WB, and are you using a stand-alone executible installer file to install, or Stardock Central?

If not using Stardock Central:

Assuming that your are using the purchased version 4.x (your reference to Enhanced in opening), you can go here Link and fill in the appropriate text boxes to submit a request for the Stardock Central program.

You will receive an e-mail with a link to download Stardock Central (pay attention to instructions on which serial number to use when installing). Install the program > start the program.

Go to "Tools > Register Product > select Object Desktop category in left-hand list > select WindowBlinds4 in the drop-down list at right > enter serial number > click update/register button".

You can then select Object Desktop in left pane of main window > select WindowBlinds in right pane > download and install the current version of WindowBlinds, which should also incorporate the program into the Appearance tab of Display Properties.

Note - you may want to deselect the option "Show prerelease versions" at the bottom of Stardock Central window before selecting and downloading WindowBlinds to prevent installing an Alpha/Beta version - which may have bugs.

If you go with Stardock Central, make sure to follow the procedure in comment #4 to uninstall current version, and add "delete the WindowBlinds folder found in "C:\Program Files\Stardock" folder (where "C" is the letter drive), before installing Stardock Central.

Good luck.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow all of you must have taken a long time to write all that out for me thanx. It's nice to know that there are in fact just a few nice people out there in the world today. It's gr8 to be part of a community like this - I've never been on forums like this before.

Although none of your methods work to fix windowblinds or windows messing it up or whatever, I've found exactly what I wanted in the form of the Longhorn Transformation Pack. I remembered this today after reading an article in the forums about how pissed off this guy is with all the longhorn or now vista skins and bootskins etc.

I wasn't looking for a longhorn skin but I wanted something to go with my new desktop! It had to be kinda dark and I found the Slate Athens style from longhorn to be exactly right!!!
So I've found a workaround!!! Yay! I'm now using Mormegil's absolutly wonderful iconset although it didnt install properly (another problem eh?!) so I swapped all the icons myself on one of our rainy english summer days!!!!! I have my dock set back up the way I want it so I'm happy again yay. Wincustomize is gr8 although theres a few problems with the site. Good work guys keep it up.