leeatsjt

Join Date 12/2004

Please help?

Completely confused!

Good evening everyone, I need some serious help, and I'm hoping one of y'all can help me through this. I'm currently running the following apps (as they're shown in the program files menu):
Stardock
Object DeskTop (ODT)
Desktop X
Icon Packager
Object Bar
Theme Manager
Window Blinds
Object Dock (v1.05)(OD)
SD Central
WinCustomize
Cursor XP
I just purchased the plus version of OD, and wasn't really sure how to proceed, so I sent off an email asking if I had to uninstall the old one first (sometimes you can just put in the code to turn it into the full version). Tech support said to uninstall it. So I figured that was easy. No such luck! Where the heck is it? I've looked in the Add/remove programs for it, all I show is SD Central. I have another program that I can use to uninstall apps and that's all that was there also. So can someone please tell me how to uninstall my old free version of OD? Do I have to uninstall everything and then reinstall it all over again? I only managed to get the function of SD Central to work once (right after I purchased ODT), and from then on I could never get it to let me in, even though I did sign up for an account. I'm a little worried about having to reinstall all of it. I don't have a good handle on where all the stuff I download goes as it is!

Half the time I couldn't get most of it to work because nothing seemed to be in the right place and didn't know how to get it there (yes, I could copy and paste, but usually you have to do something different with an .exe file).
So please, someone if you have the time, advise me, I'd really appreciate it. And I won't take offense if you talk to me like an idiot (just don't call me one)! I'm usually very, very good at computer software, but from the moment I purchased ODT I never really felt as though I had a handle on it. I looked through the forum for new users, and first of all I agree, I think something like that is desperately needed! Not everyone is a skinning machine! And the quantity of different programs that come with ODT is pretty much overwhelming to someone who has never even thought about using that type of app before. And second, to be honest, I couldn't even get half of what I was reading. I'm just not getting the relationships between all the different apps in ODT.
I hope all this made sense, I'm feeling a little frantic (and stupid), I want to get the OD Plus version installed, I'm really looking forward to the tabs! But the thought of uninstalling Window Blinds, for example, and then having to figure out how to get all those skins back in there again......... well, it's a nightmare! And that seems to be the easy part. Thanks in advance, and I hope y'all have a good night. And if anyone would rather just email me, my email is leeatsjt@cox.net. Cheers!
Lee
Lost in West Texas
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Lantec

Join Date 07/2003

+346

You really need get to Stardock Central up and running. It's the installation/uninstallation program for all the Object Desktop programs and the other Stardock offerings like Object Dock. Try going to Stardock.com and downloading then installing the current version of SDC. It should install over your current version and hopefully it will fix whatever problem you've had with SDC in the past. If you don't have your registration numbers you can follow a link in the program to get them emailed to you real fast.
Follow the Link

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Koasati

Join Date 07/2001

+21

Looking at your list of running apps, I want to point out that Stardock, ObjectDesktop Network (ODNT), and Wincustomize, are not programs. Stardock is the company that makes all this stuff. ODNT is a subscription to a suite of programs, and Wincustomize is where we are right now (this site).

You really do need to get Stardock Central (SDC) working, as Lantec suggests, but you should be able to uninstall ObjectDock by opening the ObjectDock folder, and double clicking the UNWISE.EXE icon.

I'd also suggest that you don't try to figure all the programs out at once. I'd start with WindowBlinds, and ObjectDockPlus...... get comfortable with those, and then start to expand your horizons.

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Okay, first of all, thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. I finally got that up and running, but I can't find a list of stuff I've already downloaded, but I'm not worried about that yet, or heck, maybe I should be. It did tell me a list of stuff that needed to be updated, but I didn't do it since I thought I was going to have to uninstall it all anyway.
The last two responses helped a lot, I uderstand the relationship between those things now. But I still can't figure out how I'm supposed to uninstall the current free version of Object Dock. I'm dense, I know it, and I know I'm missing something, and I'm sorry to be such a pain in the butt. Even if I uninstall SD Central it won't uninstall all components, will it? I guess I'm just used to an uninstaller for a program, and none of these seem to have one. But as you say, SD Central isn't a program. Are they (the one's under ODT) stand alones? Eeeekkkkksssss!

Oh, wait a minute, if I find out how to uninstall Oject Desktop, that will uninstall all it's sub programs right? Is that the way to go?
Lee

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Koasati

Join Date 07/2001

+21

Stardock Central IS a program. (what I said was 'Stardock' is not a program, it's a company)... let's try to take this a step at a time.

Unistalling Stardock Central (SDC) will not remove anything else. You need to SDC working, because this is how you install, update, or remove ODNT programs.

In what way is SDC not working? Be as precise as possible.

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Koasati

Join Date 07/2001

+21

OK... re-reading your last post, I think you have SDC working now.... right?

To uninstall ObjectDock, go to the ObjectDock folder (most likely found here... C:\Program Files|Stardock|ObjectDock)
Look for the UNWISE.EXE file, and double click it.

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Okay, I'm going to respond to the easy one first. Nope, I don't have an UNWISE.EXE file in the folder you said. I have checked each and every folder, and there isn't one. So first problem down.
Am going to work on the previous post right now, I think the problem is I can't get to the proper page. I did the first time I used it, but can't get there now. And it is accepting me and seems to be working properly. Will post when I figure out what I'm doing wrong again. One thing I thought of a little while ago, has the configuration of it changed/have they reworked it? I think I purchased ODT about 6-8 months ago or so. Maybe I just don't know how to find it in the new format(if there is one)!
Hey, if I download OD again or use the old one, and it's a zip, can't I just extract and use that UNWISE.EXE? I just don't know if it's a zip or what. Well I could always install over the old and hope the .exe puts one there in the folder during installation. I don't know, just some thoughts. But I just don't want to make things worse.
And let me tell you, though this is yucky/mushy, thanks for helping me, you're an angel!
Lee
PS I'm a female just in case you think I'm weird. I do know my way around programs, and say one thing about woman software drivers and.............! I'm a 3d graphics geek. The background on my web page sucks, but check out my work at www.3d-by-lee.com-but bear in mind, I'm a complete amatuer (sp?). And to all-if I just committed a forum sin, please forgive me! Is there some way I can put a screen capture of some of this stuff on here so you can see where I'm at?

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Oh good grief! What an idiot I am! Not to justify my stupidity, but the format of the Star Dock Central site did change. It used the be kind of spread sheet like. I found it! Well at least I know I found it, now I just have to hope it works. I have one more question, then we'll let this die! When the Star Dock page comes up, it gives a list of updates that I should do, which is just about everything I have installed (eight items on it). I should wait until after I get the paid version of OD installed right? Doesn't make sense to update something I'm fixing on uninstalling, and why do it twice?
I want to give you my sincere apology for plain old not paying good enough attention! I realize it was a vast waste of your time, and I'm sorry! But, please note that I did learn more in 2-days than the whole time I've been using this! Now if I can just get the rest figured out, life will be good! Oh, and BTW (and no I'm not sucking up), since I'm a graphics geek-granted of a different type-I did have to have a look at your stuff. AWESOME! Thanks for all of it!

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leeatsjt,

Can you currently start the Stardock Central program and have it running online (connected to the Stardock server)?

If so, when looking at the Stardock Central window, if you highlight the Object Desktop name at the top of the list on the left-hand side of window - do you see a list of programs on the right side in the main pane of window?

If you select either the "Free", or "Misc" category - do you see ObjectDock or ObjectDock Plus listed in the right side in the main pane of window?

If you see ObjectDock (not Plus) listed, does it offer an "uninstall" button? - if so, use this to uninstall the free version.

Note - look at those first, before trying to register products if you have not already done so.

You can think of Stardock Central as you control center for Stardock Products, and the category list as the product categories that you can use to list programs that you want to install to, or uninstall from your computer.

The only exception is Stardock Central, which should be installed first, and uninstalled last after uninstalling all other programs - if doing a clean install procedure.

To register your products, open "Tools menu > Register Products > hightlight the relevant category on the left and select the program to register on right, then enter your serial number and click the update or register button. This will allow you access to the full versions of programs you paid for. Reminder - do this after trying to locate the free version of ObjectDock in Stardock Central to try for the uninstall option.

The files you want to save for back-up of Object Desktop and/or ObjectDock are located in the "C\Program Files\Stardock" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

A good way to approach back-ups as a beginner would be to copy the following folders to a temporary folder:

1 - For WindowBlinds, copy all folders that bear the skin names found in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds" folder.

2 - For Icon Packager, copy all the folders that bear the theme (package) names found in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\IconPackager\Themes" folder.

3 - For DesktopX, copy the following folders found in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\DesktopX" folder:

- Objects
- Themes
- Widgets

4 - For ObjectDock (free or Plus), copy the following folders found in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder:

- Images
- Themes
- Docklets
- Backgrounds
- Any folders you created to hold images

Burn the copied files to disc.

Note - this will also copy the skin/theme/image files that were installed with the program, so as you get more experienced, you can weed out those files and just keep back-ups of the files you downloaded after installation.

For downloading content, I would recommend the following procedure:

Right-click the download link > select "Save Target as.." > in the Save As dialog box, use the "Save as Type:" drop-down list to select "All Files" > save to My Documents.

This will keep the original file extension intact, and will make installation of WindowBlinds skins, Icon Packager themes, DesktopX Themes/Objects/Widgets easy because all you will need to do is double-click them to install (the files will be written to the folders listed above, which you can then copy and burn as described.

For ObjectDock downloads, use the same method to download them, then unzip the files to the same location as download. After unzipping (extracting), move icon images (".png files") to the Images folder listed above, move Docklet files (usually a folder) to the Docklets folder listed above, move Background files (usually a folder) to the Backgrounds folder listed above, and move Themes (".ini" file) to the Themes folder.

Note - themes and docklets can be a bit tricky depending on how they were packaged - look for a read-me file in the .zip for specific instructions.

These are very basic methods, and as you gain experience you will be able to streamline the procedures a bit.

One last note - in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder, you can create folders to hold image files so that the Images folder does not become unwieldy over time. For example, I have created folders named: Office, Adobe, Art Programs, My Icons, Misc.....you get the idea.

This makes it easy to select an image when I want to change the image for a dock entry, as well as segregating the downloaded and created images from the preinstalled images found in the Images folder.

Hopefully this will help you instead of confuse.

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You might want to make sure the "Show prereleased versions" option at the bottom of Stardock Central window is deselected, otherwise you will be offered the Alpha/Beta versions which may have bugs.

Will leave the essay above, though you do not seem to need it now.

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Corky,
Oh please leave what you wrote above, a lot of that stuff is stuff that I've been trying to figure out! In fact, if you will give permission, I'm going to copy it to a doc so I can save it to my hard drive for future use. You've managed to prevent me from having a whole lot of angst/frustration! But be warned, by being so helpful, you may have opened a can of worms! You and Wizop Koasati are real class acts! Thank you very much, and will take your advice about the Alpha/Beta versions.
Lee

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Permission granted for saving anything I have posted here (or in any other thread for that matter).

Glad it will serve you well.

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Corky,
yer special.

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'preciate it, Bichur.

Is that right? I just saw the Texas thread (I'm in Seattle, so don't know the lingo that good).

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Thanks Corky, it's always proper to ask.

Lee

Texas, Texas? Who said Texas? I'm in Texas! Wonderful place!

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closenuff

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I'm in Texas! Wonderful place!

wholenuther country

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It is, in a way, but I'm in West Texas which is really good. I dont give a fig for East Texas!

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Southern folk sure do seem a nice sort!

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Koasati

Join Date 07/2001

+21

I dont give a fig for East Texas!

Hey now...... watch yer step.

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Hey now...... watch yer step

over there, you usually have to

but really, hmmm... bushes or trees? hmmm don't really like red dirt, but i do like shade

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Hey now...... watch yer step

Yeah, it's Texas...Never know what you might step in...or on.

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yepper, Texas.
So big it takes 2 threads.

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Koasati

Join Date 07/2001

+21

since I'm a graphics geek-granted of a different type-I did have to have a look at your stuff. AWESOME!

Thanx! .... but I'm a hack compared to some of these folks.

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Okay, well I didn't make myself clear.
First of all San Antonio and Dallas are too big and have too much crime. And the Houston area is way too humid for me. Where I am I'm just on the edge of the desert, so we don't have a lot of humidity. Okay, I'm in San Angelo. Didn't want someone to think I lived in Marfa or El Paso or something. El Paso is too big as well and is also too close to the border!
We really have it nice here in San Angelo, most summers the temps are around 92 to 98, with very few days over 100. It's hot, granted, and I don't like it, but come mid/end September, it's wonderful here! We have very little crime for a "city" of almost 100K. We now have a Super Walmart (SWM), they're building a Sam's Club now, and it was just announced officially that they're building another SWM over here on my side of town, I'm on the outskirts (I live in the working mans/womans neighborhood!). There's always a trade off, and being in the middle of no where, and the weather are it for us. But we have everything we want, at least for someone that's 47! For the youngin's it hard. We do have a 4 year and a 2 year college, so there's always youngin's around, but there just isn't a lot for them here to do.
Yikes, sorry about that guys....I know, more than you wanted to know. And I sure wish this thing had spell check! LOL
Lee

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