WB 5.0 - don't do it!

Seriously annoyed

from WinCustomize Forums
I've been using WB and Odesktop for over a year... It's great stuff, no doubt.

But why is it that when a module is updated I get problems? Last time it was Cursor XP, this time it's WB 5.0.

I installed it (from Stardock Central), restarted my machine, filled in my user data and pow... nothing.

The 'upgrade' couldn't make a signature... then it decided I had used up my installs (amazing given I only upgrade when I'm prompted to and have only 3 machines - 2 of which are using last year's products).

I'm pretty annoyed about this because it seems to be a repetitive issue and one that doesn't get enough attantion. Don't go down the MS route and use your PAYING customers as guinea pigs: SORT THE SOFTWARE AND THE REGISTRATION, then prompt us to update.

Oh and after uninstalling WB 5 (and rebooting AGAIN) there was no WB4.0, so I had to reinstall that too.

Can I bill you for the hour you've just wasted of my time?

No course not.

Bloody annoyed here.
6,291 views 21 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is what comes from not actually reading what is displayed on the screen. WB5 is a BETA

That's BETA

B E T A

B E T A

And no one twisted your arm to install it.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Beta my anush. It's the registration process not the program. If the reg was done properly, I may actually have a chance of trying the program.

Read my post before replying Lan R E G I S T R A T I O N!
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The overseas program may be different, but when I install through SDC I don't have to re-register each time. There are other threads which mention that there are installtion problems if you don't first uninstall the previous version 4.0 or 4.6 of 4.90

Didn't mean to jump down your throat but it's too common for people to rant about how the BETA's don't function perfectly.

Did SDC upgrade just prior to the installation? They released a new version day before yesterday.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 'upgrade' couldn't make a signature... then it decided I had used up my installs (amazing given I only upgrade when I'm prompted to and have only 3 machines - 2 of which are using last year's products).

The Object Dock subscription is for a year. As far as I know there's no limit on downloads.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
With WB5, I've had good results using SDC & doing uninstall/reboot, install/reboot before doing anything else with the program

May not help in registration issue, but SDC required the information only once & resumed the install when I pushed the Registration Info button
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A couple items have come to mind. First would be do you have an Object Desktop Subscription? You mentioned CursorXP which is NOT part of Object Desktop. In order to install the WB5 Beta you MUST be an Object Desktop Subscriber.

Second item goes to the signature and the number of installs. I'm not familiar with any limitation on Object Desktop installs. The subscription is for a period of time and not linked to the number of times you install the program. As for the signature, I don't know what your talking about there. You do show up as a current customer, just doesn't say for which product.

I'm pretty sure your problem resulted from not uninstalling the previous version. You mention in your original thread that WB4 wasn't working after your uninstall and the install page for WB5 says you MUST uninstall the previous version first.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You may want to read the EULA re using the software on 3 machines 

Oh, and BETA does mean you are a guinea pig - that is what you agree to when using the software. If you don't like that, stick to the released versions...

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
then it decided I had used up my installs

Found an interesting thread in the Stardock Support forum on this little item Link Seems it's an anti-piracy thing put into WB5
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No worries Developer Lantec, just a little fedup with SDC and upgrades. I am an Object Desktop subscriber and have had several issues with programs, worst was Cursor XP which took several days to sort...

Anyways, I'm gonna try to uninstal 4.0 and install the beta (don't know why, I must be a sucker for punichment) but in truth it's coz I wanna see a specific skin that utilises its functionality.

um, spock (Super Wizop Fuzzy Logic), given I paid for the software and these are my work machine, home machine (Desktop) and editing SupaMachine, I reckon I should be able to use my 1 subscription... dontchu?

OK, wish me luck with it... still waiting for the tech support to get back (wow are they that busy???)

Cheers for tips/comments.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not my day... Launched SDC again, prompted me for an update, so I did... relaunched: no option for WB 5.0


Is it me??
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think getting rid of any leftovers of wb4 is probably the most important thing. WB5 (4.95) will not complete the install if the previous version is on your machine. The same goes for the newest version of Skinstudio. If it becomes necessary do a search for the ODNTzapper.exe.......you'll end up having to start from scratch so back up you OD data first. Before you go that far try clearing the cache, here's a link to a tutorial by Corky_o for the cache and he's got several others that are useful. Link
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would suggest you describe you problem in the support forum. Mike [milksama] will be able to help you there.

There has been problems with account errors (at Stardock) and Mike will check whether yours is ok or not. Mile will also be able to reset your activation numbers so you can attempt another install.

Also, as Lantec mentioned, make sure you manually delete all files (keep the folders) out of your WindowBinds directory, before you try and reinstall WB5. You might have to reboot your computer before you can delete all files, since WB has the tendency to hang on to them even it its unloaded.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks DL, you're right on the button! You da man!!!

OK, Stardock, I gonna rant now, coz this has been drivin' me NUTZ (your fault for making such beautiful stuff)...

OK:

Installing programs should be simple, it's not. SDC is a clunky embarrassment and I have no idea why you continue to run it. Read up for just a couple of issues.

After uninstalling 5, I reinstalled 4.0... After reading this thread, I uninstalled 4.0 in the hope of reinstalling a fresh 5 (u following?) BUT, 5.0 wasn't available.

After 20 minutes trying to figure out what the hell was going on (including fiddling with 'show programmes in SDC), I decided to reboot... Low and behold, there's 5.0 again.

AT NO POINT, does the install warn u to uninstall 4.0, despite telling you that you have to reboot (the system popup is warning enough), why don't you give people instructions I've instead had to figure with my good bud Lantec here :S

Now don't get me wrong, I know piracy is a problem, but don't delude yourselves, I know at least two people in another forum who use OD and they got it from piratebay.

You can't stop it, best you can do is make it tricky but this SDC is not the way.

Why the hell am I asked for my act. code when you know damn well who I am from downloading and using SDC? Doesn't it have the intelligence to recognise me? No... SO DUMP THE DAMN THING!

Make a website that requires a password/username with a one-time login for payed up users so we don't have to go through this. It's an abominable program.

I'd much rather be able to go to a slick site and choose what I want and install the way other software does than use SDC.

As for WB5.0... It ROX!

Am using Dreamland (top) with Aero XP and it's soooo lush.

Make stuff easy guys, you don't have to risk security for simplicity.

OK, rant over...

Oh and another thing,

Just kidding!

Cheers Lan, much appreciated man
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Glad your up and running.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
waddyou think Lan? c'mon, interested here: SDC or a decent online entity with slick and easy facilities for downloading this gear?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You've got to consider the amount of proggies and the fact that SDC keeps all your licenses, and current version of each one. It's actully like a swiss army knife for Stardock. You've got the browser, the installer, the forums etc.

What happens is sometimes the installation packages aren't ready for prime time and the first thing your or I think is that SDC is at fault when in fact it may be a bad dll like was the case with Iconpackager during the 3.0 release. If you set it right SDC will archive you previous version and reinstall it if necessary. I can't think of too many other programs that can match up to that much functionality.

Before I ever update anything, I click the history button. The developer usually leaves some valuable information there and any installtion notes are located on the page below the program display. No, I think I'll stay with SDC. It's served me pretty well the last few years.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I've had effectively zero problems with installing apps with SDC.....in its entire existence as a 'method' of doing so.

It's not at all 'clunky'....if you want 'clunky' talk to Symantec...

The most important word you will read in this thread is BETA.

A word from the wise....if you are concerned about potential 'issues' DO NOT run any Beta....of anything.

If your system is mission-critical then treat it as such.

If you wish to have the squeakiest-clean just-out-of-the-box trial proggies then expect issues....there will be 'some'.....it's the nature of the beast....

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have seven BETAs on my machine. I kinda like the mystery. My machine is strictly custom, right down to my upgrades. So far my (BETAs) are working pretty damn good thank you.I think I'll keep 'em.That is until the release versions are let out of their cages. As far as SDC is concerned...get a grip guys. If it weren't for SDC you'd be plunkin' along wondering how in the hell you'd keep up. Kudos to Stardock.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And I thought the "bring back an old thread every week" was done.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

8 months ain't bad....

Almost topical if you think astrally...

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not as bad as the 5 year old thread that was just brought back to life.