Frames won't show up for any WB skins?

Friday, December 26, 2008 by rainydays | Discussion: WindowBlinds

Blah. Does anyone know how to fix this? The frame completely is not there. It has nothing to do with transparency. I can still hit "x", minimize, and maximize buttons from sheer memory of where they are placed. However, I'd like to see them, . I have vista.. if that means anything.

Hankers
Reply #1 Friday, December 26, 2008 2:13 PM

Open the WindowBlinds Configuration screen and click on "System info" then click the "Copy text" button. Paste that info here.

 

rainydays
Reply #2 Friday, December 26, 2008 3:39 PM

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

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.3 ( 61 x86) - 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 Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family

Wblind.dll         2008/10/18 15:55:20
Wblind64.dll         2008/11/06 12:22:13
Wbsrv.dll         2008/09/16 07:44:13
Wbconfig.exe         2008/11/18 17:15:54
Wbload.exe         2008/04/26 15:14:14
Wbhelp.dll         2008/04/26 15:14:07
Tray.dll              2008/04/26 15:14:21
Wbload.dll              2008/04/26 16:14:28
Screen.exe         2008/07/15 10:31:09

Philly0381
Reply #3 Friday, December 26, 2008 3:47 PM

It is interesting that it doesn't show an experience score for you.  I don't run Vista 64-bit so hopefully someone will stop by who does so the dates can be compared.  When did you last do an update for WBs?

Daiwa
Reply #4 Friday, December 26, 2008 3:55 PM

I'd start by updating to the latest build (69).  A number of those file dates appear to be off.

rainydays
Reply #5 Friday, December 26, 2008 3:56 PM

I had just downloaded the newest verison on my laptop yesterday. It works perfectly fine on my desktop computer. Blah. I'll be so sad if I'm stuck with this hidious black taskbar, or have to use msstyles.

rainydays
Reply #6 Friday, December 26, 2008 3:58 PM

I'd start by updating to the latest build (69).  A number of those file dates appear to be off.

 

How do I do this? (Not very computer savvy when it comes to this )

Philly0381
Reply #7 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:07 PM

What kind of laptop are you running?  (make, model, cpu, memory,etc.)

It might be because of the graphics on the the laptop that you are having problems.

How did you originally download WindowBlinds?

Daiwa
Reply #8 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:17 PM

Did you download the trial version, BTW?  If so, perpixel frames will only display correctly on the skins that came with the trial download - they won't work on any other skins you may have downloaded from WinCustomize.  As for your question:

How do I do this?

Same way you downloaded it originally, using Impulse I would assume.  If you did not use Impulse, I'd recommend installing it & using it for the download & install, although I'd also recommend unloading (switching to & applying Windows Classic) then uninstalling WB first, followed by a reboot before the fresh install.  The file dates being out of sync, this would be the best way to be sure you end up with a clean install.

All of which assumes your laptop is capable of displaying perpixel frames, which could easily be the problem.  If the video hardware does not support per-pixel transparency and the skin you are trying to use has per-pixel (partial trans) borders (even Stardock's included skins), what you describe might well be the result.

rainydays
Reply #9 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:20 PM

My laptop: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9034341&type=product&id=1218010845704

 

I downloaded WB by having them send me the latest version and serial # via email yesterday.

Daiwa
Reply #10 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:32 PM

I can't say for sure about the 4500MHD, but Intel's integrated video processors have a history of not supporting hardware-accelerated per-pixel alpha blending.  Can you run Vista's Aero without problems?

Philly0381
Reply #11 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:39 PM

In looking at the laptop information you would think that the graphics would run WB, nice laptop by way.

I would suggest that you open WB on the laptop and set back to default and hit apply.  Make sure everything is back to the way it should be.  I would then uninstall WB, run a clean up program like CCleaner and reboot.  Then reinstall using the message instructions and then reboot again.  It could be that it just is a bad download, expecially since it is working on your desktop. 

One important thing to remember, you can load WBs on two computers with the serial # you received but only on of the computer should be turned on at any one time.  You have it on the desktop at home and the laptop that say you take with you to work.  You are only going to on one at a time.

If that corrects the problem then I would go and get Impulse from from the Stardock web page and install that on both computers.  Use Impulse to get any updates.  http://www.impulsedriven.com/about.aspx Use this link and download the full version.  Scroll down and you will see it on the right hand side.

 

Hankers
Reply #12 Friday, December 26, 2008 4:48 PM

If the problem persists and if you haven't done so already, please email support@stardock.com and start a trouble ticket. They will be able to assist you.

Neil Banfield
Reply #13 Friday, December 26, 2008 5:16 PM

That looks like you are using Windows XP 64 bit edition not Vista 64 bit or at least the installer thought you were on XP 64 bit.

Did you ever set any compatibility settings on Impulse by mistake at any point?  Vista will sometimes do this if you tell it that an app didn't work correctly.

rainydays
Reply #14 Friday, December 26, 2008 8:04 PM

Philly0381
In looking at the laptop information you would think that the graphics would run WB, nice laptop by way.

I would suggest that you open WB on the laptop and set back to default and hit apply.  Make sure everything is back to the way it should be.  I would then uninstall WB, run a clean up program like CCleaner and reboot.  Then reinstall using the message instructions and then reboot again.  It could be that it just is a bad download, expecially since it is working on your desktop. 

One important thing to remember, you can load WBs on two computers with the serial # you received but only on of the computer should be turned on at any one time.  You have it on the desktop at home and the laptop that say you take with you to work.  You are only going to on one at a time.

If that corrects the problem then I would go and get Impulse from from the Stardock web page and install that on both computers.  Use Impulse to get any updates.  http://www.impulsedriven.com/about.aspx Use this link and download the full version.  Scroll down and you will see it on the right hand side.

 

 

This worked. Thank you so much. You're a life saver, =p. Yay, no more stupid black taskbar for me!

Philly0381
Reply #15 Friday, December 26, 2008 9:04 PM

Well there were others offering fixes and asking questions, I probably just got lucky.   Those of us that hang out around the froums are always happly when our suggestions help.

Daiwa
Reply #16 Friday, December 26, 2008 9:45 PM

Good news, rainydays.  Enjoy.

Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

  • Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
  • Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
  • Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
  • It's simple, and FREE!



web-wc01