Link632

Join Date 09/2005

Help!! WB is messing up my computer!! (with screenshots)

I don't know what to do anymore... I tried everything!

I have been using WB5 for about 4 days now and I haven't gotten any types of errors, whatsoever, up until a few hours ago.. I didn't even do a thing! I was using Mormegil's ChristmasTime theme (and ran it for 4 days without errors), then when I decided to come to WinCustomize.com to browse for new Objects and such, my computer hung up on me! I don't know if that had anything to do with my visiting wincustomize.com, but it couldn't have been a virus or a spyware because I just performed a general maintenance on my computer a few hours earlier (and I have been doing that since January).. Then I restarted my computer using the button on my CPU and when I entered my Windows XP account, the entire "start" bar below (the whole thing, not just the start button, but the entire bar -- sorry, i have no idea what it's called) didn't even show up! The only thing that showed up was the digital clock, and that's it.. Ok, hold on.. I don't know where I'm going anymore. I think it's better if I just show you a screenshot and maybe you can just help me out and tell me what's wrong (also, I tried uninstalling+re-installing WB5, but apparently, that didn't fix my problem)..

http://tinypic.com/ionkf5.jpg

That's my whole screen.. No "start button" and the entire "bar" at the bottom of the screen is messed up! WB also got rid of my Windows XP theme.. I tried accessing through desktop/right-click/bah blah but then that didn't work.. all it's showing me is nothing (sorry, I'm really, really sleepy and i have been trying to fix this problem since 5 PM (and now it's about (9:00).. so, that should explain why my grammar is skewed. i haven't even eaten yet!) I tried righ clicking on "My Computer" and going to "Manage" / "Services" / etc. (as one poster explained in another thread), but that didn't work -- it didn't bring my Windows XP theme back..

Please help me! I am totally clueless about what's going on! And once again, excuse the grammar. I'm typing this up real fast because I'm about to collapse.. I really hope you guys can help me! Please!

Moderator Note:

This issue is caused by the cracked version of WindowBlinds. Don't run the cracked version of WindowBlinds and this won't happen.

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Also, in-case you're wondering the time in the screenshot is wrong. I didn't realize until I got the WB error that my computer time was WAAAAAAY behind! lol

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Can you post the information from the System Information page in wbconfig please.

Thanks.

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Okay, here, I took a screenshot as I really have no idea what information you need.

http://tinypic.com/ip1udz.jpg

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It looks like you are using a warez copy of WindowBlinds which appears to be corrupt in some way.

Its certainly a registered version but you do not appear in our customer database that I can see.

Uninstall WindowBlinds, reboot, run a virus scan and install a licensed version of WindowBlinds (or the trial) and everything should be fine. Its only $20 afterall!

If I am wrong, then sorry and please contact support@stardock.com giving them your customer details & they will be able to assist you.

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NightTrainthedark

Join Date 07/2003

+255

Neil, I had the same problem exactly. I use all legit stuff. I ended up reformatting rather than continue the battle. . Just letting you know.

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Huh?

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Night Train: The root cause is probably different on yours. There are a number of reasons that could happen, but in this case I believe its due to it being a pirate copy.

Link632: Are you saying you are using the shareware version or are a paying customer?

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I don't think I'm either (using a shareware nor a paying customer).. I got this copy from a friend (it's just a CD-R copy). And I'm not sure where he got it from.. I'm not really sure. Anyway, there's 99.999% chance that I'm using a warez copy, but does that explain the problem(s)? I mean, like I said, I have been using it for the past 4 days and I have never gotten this type of error -- or ANY form of error, whatsoever -- UNTIL just a few hours ago.. So, the copy couldn't have been corrupt.

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Unbelievable. I'm starting to think that half of the so-called bug reports since WB5 went public are from pirates. As they used to say when I was younger, tough titties. If you don't know the difference between shareware and stealing then it's your problem and you should have to deal with it yourself.

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Ok, I know what I did was wrong.. So, I'm sorry for that. So, forget about helping me out, because it's obvious that I'm not worth the help since I am not a paying customer. I'll just uninstall it (since I can't fix it) and stick with the classic windows theme (because for some reason WB deleted my Windows XP theme). I'll try to find a way to bring my Windows XP theme back and use that instead.. Thanks anyway. Again, I'm really sorry. And just so you know, WB rocks! Soon I'll buy an original copy, and if I get an error, I hope you guys will help me out..

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The only way to fix that is to buy a copy (or use the trial version). Put simply, the crack used on WB5 isn't working right.

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I know.. I'll buy a copy soon. Thanks.

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Busted!

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I'm starting to think that half of the so-called bug reports since WB5 went public are from pirates

Could be a number of these are illegit users.....

I believe a request for posting the "System Information" report would now be in order as a normal course of action during attempts to help, which would obviously allow Neil and other Stardock representatives to verify that we are not supporting pirated use.

Only issues where WB Config will not load would be exempt - IMO.

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(because for some reason WB deleted my Windows XP theme). I'll try to find a way to bring my Windows XP theme back and use that instead..

Make sure the themes service is running. After a full uninstall, check your desktop properties and click on XP theme. It should come right back. If not, I'll help ya get it back.

@StoneBlue....come on man, this isn't the third grade. Everyone makes mistakes...even innocent ones.

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im getting the same problem as you.. it's from the recent windows XP updates.

im using a legit copy.. and this happens to me!

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Yea

I'm getting the same problem. I think it's from a new trojan.

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My computer was fine this morning (10 hours ago) when i turned it off!

I am now struggling to even keep the windows classic style running correctly, my screen looks just like links screen but slightly worse with the name of the skin repeating itsself all over each black link spot and the minimize, restore and mximize buttons are reapateing themselves everywhere!

Using mac tiger skin, and a full real copy of window blinds but its under my friends registeration so more then 1 of us is using it, but still thats no crack used but still the same problem!

My computer had just updated itself before i turned it off with a windows update, i thought it might be some sort of cookie or spyware.adaare virus but i preformed a complete scan and cleaned everything like i do this time very day and still the same problem?

I think its something that window blinds conflicts with in the windows update, but thats just my thoughts

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Same thing happened to me also. Been using WindowBlinds for the past few weeks, but after downloading yesterday's windows update, everything went screwy, exactly in the same way as a guy's screenshot.

The way to get your desktop back is to open WindowBlinds, and select the "Windows XP Style" theme (second from the left, right after Windows classic), and it'll work fine, regardless of whether or not you unload window blinds.

As for those who were saying it's an issue with pirated copies - sorry, but I'm pretty sure you're wrong. Windowsblinds runs just fine with either of the two official Windows themes, but my registered copy locks up on every other theme, including downloaded skins/skins provided with the app.

Hope a fix comes out for this soon; in the meantime, anyone know what exactly windows updater installed last night, so that we can uninstall the damn thing?

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It happend the exact same thing to me. I used a warez version (before anyone starts slapping me, I must say i'm not from the states, I'm from southamerica, I don't have paypla or a credit card and I meant to try the program before download the shareware) and after 4 days, WB went crazy on me.
It was like the screenchots, only weirder. and it was really slow.
In the FAQ section, it says that one of the most probable causes for visual corruptness, it was bad graphic card drivers. but I have the latest Catalyst drivers(5.12)

mmh.. weird. my computer also just updated itself before I turned it off, and when I turned it on the next day, WB was all messed up.

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Hm. Took a look at my updater; the only three files showing up are

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer for Windows XP (KB905915)

Update for Windows XP (KB910437)

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - December 2005 (KB890830)

However, these are all packages I've installed earlier - last night's update isn't showing up anywhere.

Anyone have any ideas?

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the update i install was a general update such as the one u stated above

Update for Windows XP (KB910437)

but i have no clue what updwate it was

Update for Windows XP (Don't no which one)

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Dace K: Please contact me on neil@stardock.com letting me know what e-mail address you registered WindowBlinds using.

Warez versions of WindowBlinds are the only versions affected by this. Paying customers or trial users can continue to use WindowBlinds as normal.

Its easy to remove a warez copy of WB. Boot into safe mode and uninstall WB, or hold down ctrl at login & uninstall. Or wait while it logs in and then unload WB (WBLOAD UNLOAD would do it) and then uninstall WB.

Installing the trial version or a purchased copy of WB on the machine will resolve the problem.

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Im not using a warez copy, nd other people in this forum have also stated they are legit paying customers, lso trial users have stated they are reiceveing this problem

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To remove that windows update, do the following:

My Computer > Tools > View tab > select "Show hidden files and folders" > click "Apply".

Go to C:\WINDOWS, and find the file named "$NtUninstallKB910437$" > double-click the file to open > double-click the "spuninst" folder > double-click the "spuninst" Microsoft service pack uninstaller to start the process.

Note - I installed all the updates last Thursday on a desktop and notebook running WB 5.00[b].006 full version, with the Christmas Time skin running on both machines - no issues.

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