WindowBlinds now broken on Windows 7 SP1

from WinCustomize Forums

Hello, I come here today hoping someone can help me out. Firstly, I love Stardock to death for all the crazy shell programs they put out. My personal favorite, however, is WindowBlinds. It's cheap, loads of fun to use and generally isn't a bother once you get a skin working. I used to have some old version for XP, but at the time I moved to Windows 7 they didn't have a version compatible for it so I just kinda forgot about it. I remembered it one day and Googled it to see if they had finally got it working and behold they did.

 

Anyways, I was in the middle of the trial version (about 13 days left) when I updated Windows 7 to Service Pack 1. Everything was fine for a bit, it went through the normal routine associated with a SP update and after a restart or two I was back to my skinned desktop. However, the problem started the next time I rebooted my computer. At the usual "Starting Windows" screen, those words were replaced with file directories, presumably updating. I'm not sure why, I figured the service pack was finished installing the last time but anyways, it did that, then went through the "Configuring Update" routine again before going to the desktop, except this time the desktop...well, the best was I could describe it was that the GUI imploded. Nothing was skinned, it was all a flat pale blue, the start button was missing as was the bar at the top of windows (the same one that houses the minimize and close buttons) the taskbar tray was inaccessible...heck I was barely able to make it to the control panel to uninstall WindowBlinds. After uninstalling and a restart, Windows returned to its normal Aero theme with no problems. I figured maybe something just got thrown out of whack so I reinstalled it. Everything was fine until I went to apply a skin, when it told me "WindowBlinds is not installed properly, would you like to fix this problem now?"

 

It does this every time. If I click Yes, I get the imploded GUI. If I click No it somehow reverts to the Windows Classic theme.

 

One more thing to note, I run Windows 7 in Test mode (so it allows unsigned drivers, I use DS3 tool to use a PS3 controller with my PC) and everything was fine while it said Build 7600 in the corner, the problem only started after it flipped over to Build 7601. I assume that's the SP1 build but I can't be sure if that's what caused it to flip.

 

Now I may sound helpless, but I'm actually pretty good with computers. I have tried every logical trick I can think of trying to get it to install properly. I even hunted down the program's registry entries and deleted them hoping they would be replaced during a reinstall and it would solve my problem. Sadly, no dice.

 

I was perfectly ready to buy this program again after my trial ran out, but now that it refuses to work with my system...well, obviously I'm not going to buy a product I know doesn't work right?

 

I know people ask for others with problems to copy their "About WindowBlinds" screen here, so here's that

 

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1

 

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.5
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 7.4

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.2 (build 297 - Windows 7 Edition) - Shareware - 64 bit OS

WindowBlinds is not installed correctly on this PC.  If you did not reboot after installing WindowBlinds 7 for the first time, then please reboot and try this again.(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series       

Wblind.dll         2010/11/30 17:49:ll
Wblind64.dll         2010/11/30 17:49:42
Wbsrv.dll         2010/11/23 14:38:43
SevenConfig.exe         2010/11/23 16:10:18
Wbload.exe         2010/10/20 15:08:35
Wbhelp.dll         2010/10/20 15:08:34
Tray.dll              2009/10/23 19:12:19
Wbload.dll              2010/06/07 14:59:25
Screen.exe         2010/06/07 14:59:42

windowblinds
2,453 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WB 7.02c (current build) works great. No problems with my Win 7 Home Premium SP1 x64 OS.

Your problem is with a trial version which didn't install correctly or which got loused up (IT Hi Tech term, there) when SP1 went on. The free version should not be confused with the subscription WB which you had in the past and made ugly XP livable for you without problems.

I'd give the Subscription Windowblinds a chance. In fact, I'd recommend ODNT (Object Desktop), simply because it's a better deal.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 1
WB 7.02c (current build) works great. No problems with my Win 7 Home Premium SP1 x64 OS.

Your problem is with a trial version which didn't install correctly or which got loused up (IT Hi Tech term, there) when SP1 went on. The free version should not be confused with the subscription WB which you had in the past and made ugly XP livable for you without problems.

I'd give the Subscription Windowblinds a chance. In fact, I'd recommend ODNT (Object Desktop), simply because it's a better deal.
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

So you're saying they actually use different versions for the trial and subscription? That just seems strange. I might give it a shot, but I'm pretty hesitant to drop money for a product that has shown itself thus far to not work properly with my system. If I could get this issue resolved, like I said I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It just seems odd, like it's a problem only associated with my system, and that's what is deterring me. I haven't seen anyone else with this issue which is why I posted my own thread.

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You should email [email protected] and start a trouble ticket.  They will work with you to resolve your issue.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
End of quote

As am I.

The full WB ver was installed prior to SP1 ....and survived quite happily through/after the SP1 update [and all others].

The trial ver is a limited [cut-down] version which is time-limited from date of first install.

Since you have 'cleaned' your registry it's quite possible you've hosed the trial's install [and any subsequent WB trial install].

The simplest solution is to purchase the full ver....it'll be fine.  [make sure the trial is uninstalled first...and reboot]

If you're unlucky enough to strike problems with the full WB then [email protected] will see you right.

Windowblinds' coder loves a challenge [don't hit me, Neil] ...;)