Really confused about desktopx and widgets

I'm not sure what the exact problem is, would or could be. I've tried to search different sites and even asked someone directly but still can't seem to get an answer for the problem I'm experiencing. Apparently no one else has had this problem. The problem generally is when I load a desktop theme all I essentially get is a wallpaper. none of the cool extra stuff(widgets?) stay on my screen. They'll pop up when while it's loading and then disappear. More specifically I've tried "aeroxp" and "under pressure" install, delete, re-install, same problem, re-start, same problem. Tried f9 and f10 keys, no luck there. I cant even load the "desktopx welcome.exe" Please help as this seems like it would be nice to use. Maybe I havn't downloaded the right component or upgraded enough. You tell me, please. And thank you in advance. If it is easier e-mail me @ [email protected]
1,961 views 17 replies
Reply #1 Top
What version of DX are you running?

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #3 Top
antivirus?
does it have script blocking?
Reply #4 Top
nope. is there a place to check, for example, I used to use norton and never seemed to be able to get rid of all the files, could one of those leftovers effect that? Just a stab in the dark.
Reply #5 Top
Is your screen set for the correct resolution when you apply the Theme ? If its a theme for a 1280 screen ..things will disappear out of view. If everything is gone...I'd try clearing the Cache folder first then upgrade . Even if you have 3.0 ...they have updated since. Im running DesktopX 3.1 and thats not the latest version. But it works fine so im not in a hurry to mess with it.

Have you recently done a windows update ? They have been known to interfer with DesktopX and things cease functioning.
Reply #6 Top
1. screen resolution problem
2. Try loading some widgets not a "desktop" see if they work.
Reply #7 Top
To answer the last 2 questions briefly, I have tried both and neither worked. I tried at different resolution including the recommend setting and I tried different widgets that came with the desktop program. I wasn't lucky at either. Thinking about giving up, object dock is working well for me so far. Any other thoughts though would be appreciated as I would like to use this program.
Reply #9 Top
This is pretty strange, but since you seem willing to try and figure it out, I have a couple suggestions.

First, unload DX and clear your cache. Essentially delete all files and folders in:

C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock\DesktopX

Now. OK. I don't know from themes; I just haven't worked with them. But try importing a widget.

Load the DXBuilder, right click on the SysTray icon, or use the panel to Import, then click the radio button. Browse for a widget, or select one from the list. Try the Silica Clock widget (Blue analog clock).

Do you see it?

If not, get the list of objects showing: R-Click systray icon -> List Objects.

If you chose the Silica clock widget to import, then the object of interest is named "Silica_Clock_Face". If you chose another widget, try and find a main, parent object. Double click on its name in the Object Navigatoir to bring up its properties. Select the Summary tab. Examine the numbers for Left and Top. Would they place the widget off screen, that is, are they smaller than zero or larger than maximum screen size? Try editing them both to something reasonable, to be sure, like (64,64) should put the widget top-left on primary monitor.

If you edited the Top and Left, and the widget still is not visible, check the Relation tab in the Properties. Ensure the Visible Yes radio button is selected.

Okay, that's all I got right now, good luck!
Reply #11 Top
I should clarify, that less than zero numbers for Top and Left may be valid for dual monitor setups with primary on right. Not sure about that, never experimented with it.

Also, after editing values in an object's Property inspector, be sure to click Apply to make the change.
Reply #12 Top
ok, I'm going to try to write this as I experience it. Check it out:
Welcome.exe is a widget. I click on it, it stays open for a second and disappears. Open desktopx.exe, it opens in the task bar from there I can 1.open desktopx settings 2. have the same issue with welcome 3. switch to builder. From there I follow the above directions given to me by RabidRobot. And it goes like this:

"But try importing a widget.

Load the DXBuilder, right click on the SysTray icon, or use the panel to Import, then click the radio button. Browse for a widget, or select one from the list. Try the Silica Clock widget (Blue analog clock)."

Do exactly as it says, highlight silica clock, click load, clock blips on screen, not even a second and it's gone.And desktopx builder closes out of the taskbar.Click on builder and it says"DesktopX does not appear to have exited correctly. This could be the fault of a corrupt desktop or a buggy plugin. Would you like to start with a new, empty desktop(yes) or attempt to loadthe current desktop again (no)?" I hit no. The clock falshes on screen again and it's gone again. Attemp to open DesktopX Builder again. It says the same thing again. I click yes this time.

"Do you see it?

If not, get the list of objects showing: R-Click systray icon -> List Objects"

No Objects in list.

I can load an object though, so I loaded the clock following the instruction above again. Open list objects, no summary tab though.

Again any help is appreciated, RabidRobot is on the right idea, thank you, and thank you for being detailed, but we're still missing something.
Reply #13 Top
sounds like something is definitely blocking it.

if you right click the desktop > arrange icons by > do you have web items locked?


is it a trial or paid version? (asking because you don't show as a customer, which could mean trial or you didn't cross reference your account)

if it's a paid version, how did you download/install? disk? regular click download? SDC browser (best option)
Reply #14 Top
web items are not locked, locked it and tried again both ways, didn't work. Still a trial user, luckily. Only because it seems no one know the answer. It's either something really in depth or something super basic. Is it possible that there could be an issue with plug-ins. Every once in awhile it mentions something about that.
Reply #15 Top
any actual messages or at least as close as possible might be helpful.

I haven't had any major issues with DTX - been using it off and on 3 yrs.

But, I've never tried the trial.
Reply #16 Top
Withoutonline,

do you have a antivirus program running that blocks SCRIPTS? i have had some MAJOR issues with DX blowing up with Kaspersky not letting the scripts in DX run. I had to change the settings to allow scripts to run. You might want to look into that as every DX item uses VB/Java Scripts to work.

Just an idea.
Reply #17 Top
I don't have an antivirus program. I used to have norton, but uninstalled before I started doing this stuff. I made sure xp anti was off. The only other programs of that nature that I have are ewindo, ad-aware, spy-bot, none of which are antivirus. Good thought though. Any other programs that may conflict with java scripts. I don't know if this would affect anything, but, I have run e-mule with 0 problems for a long time and now I'm getting a low id and firewalled and I'm not using a firewall. The only reason I bring it up is because I feel firewall is in the same vein as antivirus. I mentioned earlier that I could load objects and I have since proven that incorrect. I can load some of the standard ones but I can't load any that I downloaded. I'm starting to feel really lame for not being able to figure this out.