WB5 won't load on startup! Please help

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi there, i'm having problems with WB5 beta 2 (4.99.006) I've just purchaced object desktop, mainly because of WB5 to be honest, and it doesn't even load on startup, or manually, so i'm a bit annoyed!

The problem is that every time i reboot the computer I get an error message saying:
'WindowBlinds cannot start'
'WindowBlinds is not installed properly.
If you have just installed WindowBlinds, please ensure you rebooted after the installation as the installer suggested.'

I have rebooted, re-installed (to different directories aswel), and rebooted some more but no luck. I thought it might be due to Panda Internet Security 2006, as i read something about conflicts on these forums, but even after uninstalling that it still won't load. I have only formatted my computer last week so I dont think there are any conflicts - my only running programs are activesync and nvidia tray apps.

Please help as i'm dying to give WB5 a whirl, it looks great!!

ps my email is chilly_2002 at msn dot com
windowblinds
9,574 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You may have to reinstall WB after removing panda.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Neil has a good suggestion...
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I did that today..no luck

Ive also created a new user account and tried to load WB5 on there. Nothing.

Any other suggestions?

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Please post the dates, times & sizes of wblind.dll, wbconfig.exe and wbsrv.dll
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This might be out in left field, but did you download WB5 through SDC? I ask this as I had a problem similar to yours with the first beta release. It was only until I made sure I had the latest version of Stardock Central that I finally got WB5 to work.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A clarification of what I meant by "getting WB5 to work". After installing the latest version of SDC I uninstalled WB5 through it and then downloaded and installed WB5.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Uhh, Are you on Windows x64?

If so, you have to go to the windowblinds directory and run wbinstall64.exe. Other than that it won't work (It's been like that for the last couple betas, looks like us 64'ers are Stardock's last priority.)
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Uhh, Are you on Windows x64?


No, im not. WIndows XP Home sp2 (x32)

did you download WB5 through SDC?


Yes, I downloaded the latest version of WB5 through the newest SDC a few days after a fresh format and getting the essential apps installed.

I've just notcied after uninstalling WB & restarting, there are a few dll files left in windows/system32 folder, which i cant delet as it says they are in use. Ill try and boot in safe mode, delete them, re-install and see what happens. Wish me luck!

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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good luck, and failing that, you might try installing the "official release" of Stardock Central v2.20.357 and not the beta that is offered.

If you decide to do this, you can do the following:

Uninstall all programs using > uninstall SDC > reboot > reinstall SDC > start SDC, and close the dialog that pops up offering to install the recent beta version > go to Tools/Settings/select "Check for Stardock Central Release updates on startup" and "Prompt before updating Stardock Central" > close SDC, and then restart SDC > accept the offer to install v2.20.357 > reboot computer when prompted > restart SDC, and register your products > install the programs you want.

Hoping all went well and the procedure above is not needed.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
where's that ODNT_zapper.exe? I used that one time and had success in getting rid of those persist dlls.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmm, i removed the dll's and reinstalled, and still getting the same error. Weird and frustrating.

Cheers corky, ill try that tomorrow. Fingers crossed, im running out of ideas

Please post the dates, times & sizes of wblind.dll, wbconfig.exe and wbsrv.dll


Neil, here they are:

wblind.dll - 500kb, 25/11/2005 19:52
wbconfig.exe - 605kb, 23/11/2005 19:48
wbsrv.dll - 168kb, 25/11/2005 17:22

Hope this helps

Very frustrated

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Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Quick update - i disabled all start-up entries so that no apps ran when I start my computer and i STILL get the same error. Ive uninstalled SDC beta, rebooted and installed official version, and then re-installed WB5 - same error.

Lastly, whilst looking for solutions on the internet I came across a patch for WB5, and being very frustrated and desperate I decided to try it (i know, i'm naughty) But to my surprise, it allowed wbconfig to start and I had the WB5 screen up! But sadly it didnt let me apply any themes, and in the troubleshooting section it said WB5 wasn't installed correctly on my system.

Well ive uninstalled WB5 again, rebooted, and reinstalled again and am back to square one and waiting for advise! Am i the only one that's had this problem?

Cheers, James

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Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
oops, edited...wrong thread
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bump

Can anyone help? WIll I have to revert back to using WB4? Fingers crossed the official WB5 release will work is all i can say now..

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Open RegEdit.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify

Right click on Notify and select permissions.  What does it show?

Also what sub keys do you have under Notify?  I.e. wlballon etc.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Neil,

The permissions show:

Administrators
CREATOR OWNER
SYSTEM
Users

Permissions for administrators - full control: allow, read: allow

Subkeys are:

crypt32chain
cryptnet
cscdll
MCPClient
ScCertProp
Schedule
sclgntfy
SensLogn
termsrv
WB
WBSrv
wlballoon

Cheers

ps just for the record, I uninstalled WB5 earlier today.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
I am getting the latest version to load, but I cannot get skins to apply! They default to the "Windows Standard" everytime after I reboot. I then can open Windowblinds and apply a skin manually. This only started when i upgraded to the latest rc.