Problem with Vista and WindowBlinds

Cannot get the skins to change

from WinCustomize Forums

I am having a problem after doing a clean install of Windows Vista Home Premium.  I downloaded my windowblinds (paid version) and it worked for about a day.  Then I updated the version of windowblinds and now I cannot get any of the skins to load.  I am using a Nvidia 6600 graphics card with the Windows WDDM drivers.  Have tried getting the regular Vista drivers 32-bit but that did not change.  I also have 2 gb ram on my computer.  Aero works fine but I cannot get the WindowBlinds to change skins.  Any ideas?

6,581 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There has been a problem with SDC handing out the wrong version of WB. Post your system information from WB configuration, it will help identify the problem.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Fuzzy: I hope this is the right place to put this. I am new.

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 3.6

Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 3.6

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 5 (5.50 (build 99 x86 - Vista Edition))

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 6600 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)

Wblind.dll 2007/02/15 13:36:20
Wbsrv.dll 2007/02/15 13:09:05
Wbconfig.exe 2007/02/15 13:35:52
Wbload.exe 2006/03/13 17:54:14
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:07
Tray.dll 2006/04/28 18:26:49
Wbload.dll 2007/01/23 18:48:56
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here's mine:-
Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5

Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 5.9

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 5 (5.50 (build 99 x86 - Vista Edition))

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

(Samsung SyncMaster 1100p(T)) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT

Wblind.dll      2007/02/15 13:36:20
Wbsrv.dll      2007/02/15 13:09:05
Wbconfig.exe      2007/02/15 13:35:52
Wbload.exe      2006/03/13 17:54:14
Wbhelp.dll      2004/09/18 16:37:07
Tray.dll           2006/04/28 18:26:49

The files look the same, so you have the right version. Hmmm, dunno what the problem might be then. Which nVidia driver are you using? Have you tried 100.64?  http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_rel70betadriver.html They seem to work better than previous versions.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have tried to use the Microsoft, Nvidia released and Beta versions. I have also uninstalled and re-installed SC and windowblinds several times. When I try to load a skin, sometimes it says that my hardware does not support Pixel requirements and wants me to use a different setting.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The latest nvidia drivers are the 100.65 whqls, http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1582. I hope that helps.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Tried them and it did not work at first. Rebooted and still did not work. Uninstalled SC and WB is now working. Re-installed SC and it still works. I'm not sure what happened but I will continue to monitor it. Thanks guys.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
   Nice to know you are up and running.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm now running into the same thing. Installing the new WB 5.5 (first WB install under Vista) and aero gets disabled and no skins support. I will try your solution and see if I can "fix" whatever is not working.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I had a similar problem, but on XP Pro 64. To fix it, I installed WB 5.5 on a XP Pro 32 machine and copied the install log over to the x64 then "repaired" it using UNWISE.EXE.

Works fine now.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow ..  almost a year old post.  ;)
Glad you found a fix.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
for what it's worth. For those of you running Vista. Most of the installations that need read and write access to system files need administrative permission in order to do so. If you are installing Windowblinds or any Stardock Product from Stardock Central. Stardock Central needs to run as Administrator. If Aero gets disabled type services.msc in the run window and make sure Desktop Window Manager or Desktop Window Manager Session Manager service is running. If it is not start the service manually and see if Aero returns. These solutions worked in my situation where I had similar problems being discussed in this forum.

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.7
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 5.9

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 84 x86 - Vista Edition) - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition
() 2 is attached to Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition

Wblind.dll 2008/02/15 17:39:20
Wblind64.dll 2008/02/15 17:39:41
Wbsrv.dll 2008/02/13 16:15:22
Wbconfig.exe 2008/02/15 17:39:42
Wbload.exe 2008/02/14 11:05:14
Wbhelp.dll 2007/08/27 11:54:07
Tray.dll 2007/09/12 17:58:21
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow .. almost a year old post.
End of quote


And there I was wondering why Fuzzy would still use WB 5. :)