leafdesigner

Join Date 02/2006

tried the trial version- still not sure

Well, I downloaded and installed the trial version of WB5, but I wasn't totally satisfied with the way it performed. Really the problem wasn't with the sample skins themselves, they seemed to be okay and looked great. However, just to make sure I could get back my previous Luna settings if I wanted to, I went back to "Display Properties\Themes and selected my previously saved Luna theme. Well, it didn't like that as it tried to go into Windows Classic, and all the scrollbars, status bar, etc. turned black and some parts of menus were incomplete. Is this the incorrect way to restore my previous Luna settings?

windowblinds

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BTW- yes, this is a legal version obtained from Stardock.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

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Daiwa

Join Date 07/2001

+351

I think you have to effectively "unload" WB first before trying to apply a Luna theme - the two skinning engines can't be running at the same time & when WB loads it turns off the theme service IIRC. Try using WBConfig itself - the leftmost "skin" will be Windows Classic. Select & apply that, then reboot. Then go to DP & select/apply your Luna theme there. See if that works.

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Thanks, I'll try that. I just want to be sure I can get my Luna settings back if I want to. Just the cautious type I suppose!

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NightTrainthedark

Join Date 07/2003

+255

If you get the black painting again, hit control/alt/delete to bring up the task manager. In processes find explorer.exe. highlight it and hit END PROCESS. Then go up to FILE.. select new task/run...type in explorer.exe ,then OK. It will load the calssic them but you can then go change back to the luna theme. It saves the trouble of rebooting.

PS. For all that care... Its also a good way when changing skins to completely load the new skin without rebooting. I hate rebotting to find out someones fonts were poorly chosen.

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Daiwa's suggestion worked -didn't try Night Train's yet. But it seems to be no problem getting back to Luna, should I want to. Anyway, with the trial version can I try out some of the downloadable themes, or do I have to purchase the full version? Anyway, looking good so far.

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Oh yeah-- how do I exclude a specific app? Everything seemed fine, but I wonder if I ought to at least exclude Norton...

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Yes, I believe you can install skins from the site, but none of the per-pixel support will work with those skins.

As far as excluding apps do this:

1) In the WB Config dialog click the Per Application button
2) Click the Add per application setting button
3) find the exe you want to exclude
4) select the options on the subsequent dialog
5) Apply

Note: The exclusion doesn't seem to take effect until the next time WB loads so keep that in mind.

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

Anyway, with the trial version can I try out some of the downloadable themes, or do I have to purchase the full version?

The per-pixel [shadowed/trans] skins usable in the trial are limited to the ones included in the trial.

Also the trial is time-limited...so 'when' you've decided that Windowblinds is a great proggy it'll be time to move on to the full version [where any/every WB5 per-pixel skin will work equally well]...

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Thanks to everyone. This is certainly one of the better online forums I have participated in. Jafo: as for getting the "real" WB, I just need to run the trial version a little while to make sure everything goes smoothly. This computer constitutes part of my livlihood, so I am very careful about what apps I run. Still, I find, at least with me, a change of environment can stimulate productivity, so it could be a good investment.

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

This computer constitutes part of my livlihood, so I am very careful about what apps I run.

Trust me....you are not alone....except that over time I've generally had WB around second or third on my list of 'proggies to install first', ever since pre-version 1.

With WB5 being quite a step beyond 4x I simply waited beyond the 'pre-release' vers....until a 'full' ver was ready....and still no 'dramas'....

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Daiwa

Join Date 07/2001

+351

I run WB (& IconPackager & WindowFX) on the rig I depend on at work everyday without hesitation, and a couple of the other network clients have it running. There was a time when I was as cautious as you, but experience has eased my worries.

I don't run it on the network server, but I rarely see the interface for that so hardly worth what little risk there is.

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Thanks for the encouragement. Yep, I've discovered it pays to be cautious when it comes to my system. I had quite a few scary moments in the past (especially when updating or purchasing a new system). This is nothing on that scale, of course. I've been running WB and so far so good. Really like Kol's skins- that's what I'm looking for, something very clean and professional. Only thing I can't figure out is how to override the font settings (unless that doesn't work on the trial version). I prefer Lucida Sans to Arial. I tried setting "all skin fonts to be replaced by..." in the advanced dialog box, but it doesn't seem to work. Anyway, this is pretty much cool over all and I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far.

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