I am not using windowblinds anymore

it's to slow

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 by David Lyncheski | Discussion: Skinning

I am not using windowblinds anymore. It is to slow.
anybody that is using stylexp, where do you get your skins?
First Previous Page 3 of 4 Next Last
David Lyncheski
Reply #41 Thursday, May 11, 2006 4:01 PM
well thank you for your help!! But i patched the uxtheme.dll to allow skins. maybe i will get Nvidia geforce 5500, but for now i will use windows theme services.
Jafo
Reply #42 Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:52 PM
But i patched the uxtheme.dll to allow skins.
That means you are no longer actually using the 'Windows theme services' but a back-yarder's hacked version. Good luck with that...
Keikonium
Reply #43 Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:16 PM
look at this screen https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SID=1&SkinID=16047&LibID=13&comments=1 Link you can see the problem.


Thats my screen . I have experienced NO problems with windowblinds . I get the occasional border problem when I haven't restarted my computer in days, and I do lots of heavy work (dreamweaver, photoshop, etc.).

What exactly is the problem in my image ?
Keikonium
Reply #44 Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:23 PM
Oh, if I could read I would have seen it was about the start button thing? Thats cause I was using tclock (thats what I use to skin my clock) to make the taskbar a little more transparent for the screenshot . My start button doesn't normally overlay if I don't use extra transparancy:



. I use nVidia 5200
Threi
Reply #45 Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:30 PM
You would be far better off to use Windowblinds 4.5 instead of StyleXP, if you can't afford that new Graphics-Card. I am thinking Toolbaricons, Shell-Styles, Animations.....all things that StyleXP can't do but WindowBlinds 4.5 does!


*edit* = 4.6
get2gether
Reply #46 Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:42 PM
Forget WindowBlind 4.5, get WindowsBlinds 5.0, it leaves 4.5 for dead with a heap more of enhancements, but get the best graphic's card you can afford, its the engine for your entire desktop and more!!
Keikonium
Reply #47 Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:03 PM
He has Windowblinds 5, and is experiencing troubles with it. His graphics card doesn't appear to support all the features and enhancements over 4.6. I would much rather use 4.6 than use a program that doesn't work perfectly (or near perfect) for me. You can get some amazing skins for 4.6 .

So David, if you can get your hands on a better graphics card, do that for sure. If not, 4.6 is great . Good luck .
David Lyncheski
Reply #48 Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:04 PM
the hacked version allowes me to install themes. i am still using xp themes.
also does any body know of a skin manager like wb but for windows themes?
David Lyncheski
Reply #49 Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:13 PM
i can use iconpackager for icons and y'z toolbar for toolbar icons.
Threi
Reply #50 Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:18 PM
i agree - windowblinds 4.6 is really the way to go if 5.0 doesnt work properly
Bichur
Reply #51 Thursday, May 11, 2006 10:09 PM
see if Desktop Architect works for you
starkers
Reply #52 Friday, May 12, 2006 12:43 AM
David....another thing with using 'hacked' theme patchers and StyleXP is that they disable some features in XP, namely System Restore, Backup in XP Pro and System Repair using your XP Installation Disk, particularly if using the hacked bootscreens.

I found this out the hard way when using them, and was required to insert my installation disk to replace a missing file. Nothing would install and I was constantly going around in cirlces until I discovered the cause, having to reboot constantly until I uninstalled the patcher/hacked dll's. Once this was done my system behaved as it should....something that is not necessary with Windowblinds or other Stardock programs.

Your best bet, seeing as you've already paid for WB5, is to bite the bullet and get a decent graphics card that supports its features, and in doing so, you're most likely to resolve the 'too slow' issue. Mine was a tad slow until I upgaded, now its lightening fast.
GhoS
Reply #53 Friday, May 12, 2006 10:12 PM
I have found WB doesn't work well on my laptop but I know better than to blame WB. I simply have too little memory to properly operate WB. Although actually the problem is more so with transparancies. I am upgrading my base memory soon so I know that will help things run much smoother. But why do people have to immediately go and blame WB for things being slow. It doesn't really require more memory to use it, unless you wish to take advantage of the more graphic intensive features.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
keefyUK
Reply #54 Saturday, May 13, 2006 2:28 AM
I've been switching back and forth from StypleXP to WB for a few years. I install the latest version of WB - lured by some great skin spotted here or on DeviantArt. And I *always* end up uninstalling it because of some problem or another.

I have been enjoying WB5 with Kol's now banned Vista skin for a few months. I've just UNinstalled it because Autodesk VIZ (=3DS Max under another name) and @Last SketchUp don't like it - even when they are TOTALLY excluded (ie 'Ignore this Application and do not skin it' in Per Application settings). For both programs chunks of the app. window disappear (desktop shows through) and loads of other visual glitches.

I've reinstalled StyleXP and everything works just fine - and I think my system is a bit faster too.

No doubt WB5 is the more advanced proggie - lots of options and tweaks etc. But it all comes at a price.

K

Athlon 64 x2 4200+
2Gb RAM
FX5600 256Mb
David Lyncheski
Reply #55 Saturday, May 13, 2006 12:40 PM
does any body know how to remove the file, view, help... menus from explorer?
seldomseen
Reply #56 Saturday, May 13, 2006 12:46 PM
You can build 'em, from scratch, using VB6 or VB(whatever), so I would assume one would just open the form/window you choose to work on in VB (Visual Basic). If you mean How to Remove from a Blind, someone else jump in who's built blinds. I've coded VB for things like popups and window forms, but not a linked series such as an entire skin...try Visual Basic, would be my suggestion on where to look...
PoSmedley
Reply #57 Saturday, May 13, 2006 12:49 PM
the hacked version allowes me to install themes.

Do I understand this right? You're running a hacked version of WB?
Phoon
Reply #58 Saturday, May 13, 2006 1:15 PM
Do I understand this right?

No Po', he's using a hacked uxtheme.dll, which is essentially StyleXP without the front end.
Not a wise thing to do at all.

David L. - I don't know how much support help you will get here if you are using the hacked .dll file. Good luck to you though.
boss0190
Reply #59 Saturday, May 13, 2006 4:43 PM
Use Styler for your toolbar and you can turn the file menu off.
frbubba
Reply #60 Saturday, May 13, 2006 4:50 PM
I changed from Style XP to WB5 because of the per-pixel feature. I have a radeon 9000 card and I actually experienced a slight increase in graphics rendering with WB5 over Style XP & standard WinXP theming. Not sure why but it works great for me.

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