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WindowBlinds 5 BETA released

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WindowBlinds 5 BETA released

Bring Glass to Windows XP

from WinCustomize Forums

Stardock has released the first BETA of WindowBlinds 5.  WindowBlinds is a program that can completely alter the look and feel of the Windows GUI.  It does so by applying visual styles (skins) to your title bars, push buttons, Start bar, borders, etc.

The most anticipated new feature of WindowBlinds 5 is its ability to deliver glass effects to Windows XP user.  Technically speaking, WindowBlinds can do full alpha blended user interfaces now, that means that skins can have a variable level of transparency.  Numerous new features have been added to allow skinners to do reflective effects, shadows, smooth edges and more to their WindowBlinds skins.

WindowBlinds 5 also eliminates any dedicated processes to it.  When running WindowBlinds 5, no additional processes are needed anymore, it runs as part of the system.  WindowBlinds 5 BETA currently requires Windows XP (32-bit edition).  A 64-bit edition will be available with beta 2.  It should run on any reasonably modern video card. 

WindowBlinds 5 is currently only available on Object Desktop.  To get Object Desktop visit: www.objectdesktop.com.

Preview Guide

Beta 1 Readme

56,690 views 128 replies
Reply #51 from WinCustomize Forums Top
correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there some kind of DELETE button on the WB Configuration window??


Hmm.. Ya know I noticed that too. Kinda slipped my mind when I was home to look into it. (I watch my 7 mo. old son during the day and work Full-time Hotel Night Auditor/Security at night) So, time isn't really of the essence when I'm home. Lol. But I'll look into it when I get home and see if I can't find a way to delete from the configuration window or have that tray icon appear (if it can). But, I can't look into this until I get home. Best way to keep in touch with me is to just email me your issues at [email protected] and also post on here in the support forums.

I'll warn you in advance, I'm considered a Prodigy by people I can help, and an idiot by those I can't. But, at least I'll do a thorough analysis on your situation.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #53 from WinCustomize Forums Top
FWIW, fundamentally I have no problems with the beta here. It's a Dell Inspiron 9300 with an ATI X300 128MB, so it would appear that not all ATI cards have some of the major problems.
The z-order on my machine can get a little confused, but that's running WB, DX, and CursorXP and so z-order issues are nothing new.
Reply #54 from WinCustomize Forums Top
so it would appear that not all ATI cards have some of the major problems.


Are your ATI drivers up to date? Just for a curiosity note?
Reply #55 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just gotten into work, not expecting WB5 to work on my workstation. Its working perfectly

Nvidia Quadro FX1000 using very old drivers (v44.03 !)
Reply #56 from WinCustomize Forums Top
George,

Taken from Stardocks' website itself.

"WindowBlinds 5 also eliminates any dedicated processes to it. When running WindowBlinds 5, no additional processes are needed anymore, it runs as part of the system. WindowBlinds 5 BETA currently requires Windows XP (32-bit edition). A 64-bit edition will be available with beta 2."

In addition, for my 2 cents. As it being part of the system, it won't have a tray icon, since it's not an additional system process.
Reply #57 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nvidia Quadro FX1000 using very old drivers (v44.03 !)


Lol. Perhaps in your case WB5 gave up and figured it would work due to your ancient drivers.
Reply #59 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Link for WB 5 beta please.


Citizen Hydromanekin
Read:

"WindowBlinds 5 is currently only available on Object Desktop. To get Object Desktop visit: www.objectdesktop.com."

If you're looking for pirated software here or people that are willing to give up the software to non-OD users you won't find them amongst this community. Or at least, I would hope not. Not to sound like a jerk, but I paid for OD and you will too if you want it's benefits.
Reply #61 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well perhaps it should be called a pre-alpha version as i see above ...

As far as i'm concerned i'm just unable (before doing anything else) to "download and archive" the "selected application" version (WB4 still installed), i get an error message telling:

"there was an error installing WB5" (i didn't tell SDC to install ... )
"the following error occured"
"load : C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\installed\WB5.xml 0 (file not found)"
"result: installation failed (13)"

i tried to see the log file, no log file to see


I'm asking me if it's not Stardock who needs more subscription rather than Wincustomize

I think i'm gonna wait at least e few weeks to try a WB5 version
Reply #62 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I had to uninstall WB (aargh! the WinXP style again!).

My system: Windows XP Home SP2 (Italian); Centrino 1.0GB RAM;
ATI Pro GL

1) Upgraded the previous version of WB (4.9?)
2) After the reboot the first skin caused a "RunDll32.exe" error
but the skin was applied with messy black boxes
3) right click the desktop and select "Properties" caused the same "RunDll32.exe" error
4) System hang when one tries to change skin
5) I uninistalled everything, I need to work now. I will wait for the next release.
Reply #63 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Working great on my home machine (P4 3.4 Extreme Edition and PCI-X ATI X850XT).

Tested on my crappy work machine with Intel 82865G and it's also perfect!

Ran WinFX2 on both to enable driver support of per-pixel.
Reply #64 from WinCustomize Forums Top
After reading all the above comments, I was hesitant to install the beta. But, I rolled the dice and everything worked. Thanks to the advice of the above comments. I did try to change my skins (all of my skins were showing) the usual way, using the config window, but the results were black boxes and XP classic. I did read the guide and sure enough, I used wbconfig.exe and all was and is well with the world.Don't understand the difference in using wbconfig, because ti looked like the same config window, but it works and works great. I did set the the logon screen back to the default because of previous comments. Below is the report:

WindowBlinds 5 BETA Troubleshooting Report:


WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

If you suffer visible corruption (overbright) on the frames and have a NVIDIA board then please be aware this is a NVIDIA bug. It has been seen on GeForce 4 cards and some FX series cards.

Video Information

You have one monitor in total.

(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900

'NetMeeting driver' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV1', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.

'RDPDD Chained DD' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV2', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.

PLEASE report all this information when submitting a problem report, especially anything related to per-pixel skinning. We don't know what's in that Dell you bought last July or the notebook the office gave you. Per-pixel skinning requires your drivers to at least claim to support the functions needed for it.

Anyway, I think y'all did an awesome job on the update. So far, no complaints from me.
Reply #65 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Win 2003. Working fine and not found any issues yet. Except that you can't delete skins
Bloody hell is it looking good, and seems to be performing better too.
Oh, toolbar icons are still not being changed, but I guess that isn't high on the list as it wasn't fixed in the last version.
Reply #66 from WinCustomize Forums Top
IE7 address bar doesnt skin.
Reply #67 from WinCustomize Forums Top
THX TONS Laoran for all the info...really helpful for sure! Well, I guess I'll just have to take my desktop wb icon & do a "drag & drop" into the lower taskbar to the left near the start button - it will become a sort of "quick launch app" since the system tray is moot at this point. Just hope they develop some kind of delete button!! THX again!
Reply #68 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm don't understand i'm from Polish :/


Windowblinds 5 jest w tej chwili w becie, i w zwiazku z tym, dostepne tylko dla subskrybentów ODNT (www.objectdesktop.com), dopiero jak wyjdzie wersja ostateczna (a Bóg raczy wiedziec kiedy to nastapi ), bedzie dostepna dla wszystkich.
Reply #70 from WinCustomize Forums Top
still can't get it to work, i've updated the drivers and everything any idears????
this is all i get wbconfig.exe has encountered a problem and has to close


Ok guys i have managed to get it to load ok now, but it will not load the skins any idears???

I've seen this problem a lot on here has anyone worked out how to get it to work???
Reply #71 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can delete skins from wbconfig as usual

I will admit that I'm probably being very stupid but in the screen shot above, where is the delete option?
Reply #73 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Neil B & Mackintosh, Thx ...I see the (delete button) in the display centered ON the skin itself!! I just knew it had to be somewhere!! There are 4 selections including 'Apply This Skin Now'. Very clever design!
Reply #74 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can delete skins from wbconfig as usual


Wow. I'm an idiot. Ya know? I didn't even notice that yesterday!!! I was soo excited I had WB5Beta and it worked I guess it clouded my vision! Thanks man for pointing it out. That kicks!

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #75 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I uninstalled the previous version, restarted then loaded WB 5, restarted again.
Then I tried to load the Tiger Skin ... the dialog hangs. Back to the original
XP style ... won't load. Tried a new skin ... rundll error and the new
skin loaded. Now the screen properties is not loading anymore giving the
rundll error.
At this point I will uninstall WB 5, waiting for a more tested version (why this
big step did not followed an ALPHA testing phase extended to all the OD users?)