Vista 64 and start menu

Whassa timeline?

Saturday, July 26, 2008 by CodeCowboy | Discussion: ObjectDock

I am running Vista 64bit and love the object dock.  I'd love to buy it and have it replace my start menu entirely but the start button says it doesn't work on vista 64.  Two questions:

1. Is there an ETA on a fix for that?

2. Is there a place (forum or page) that displays development progress/tentative release dates, etc.?

Thanks for your time!

CodeCowboy
Reply #1 Thursday, August 7, 2008 10:13 AM
Any Stardock employee gonna take a whack at it?
Bibbit
Reply #2 Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:40 PM

I too have this question.  Would love to use this product on my main PC, but that runs Vista Ultimate 64 bit.

JCRocks
Reply #3 Friday, September 5, 2008 1:42 PM
I used the free version of OD on my XP computer. I just upgraded to Vista 64-bit and purchased the Plus version of OD. I was disappointed about not being able to use my start menu as well as adding the tray icons. I hope support for 64-bit Vista will be released soon.
DorkCoffeez
Reply #4 Friday, September 5, 2008 8:28 PM

Object Dock does support Vista 64bit in the Plus version only. The start menu issue is a known issue that is being worked on but should be included in the 2.0 update. The reason for the "but" is that the 2.0 has no real written-in-stone eta. If you used the free version and then installed the Plus version over top of it you are likely having conflicts.

Try uninstalling everything, restarting, then reinstalling just the Plus version up to the latest version of the beta through Impulse or Stardock Central.

If the start menu still has issues there isn't much that can be done at this point until the update is available. However I use the Plus version on 64bit Vista every day with the start menu launcher. It does not seem to effect everyone.

Let me know how it works for you.

Bibbit
Reply #5 Friday, September 19, 2008 7:00 PM

Seabass
Object Dock does support Vista 64bit in the Plus version only. The start menu issue is a known issue that is being worked on but should be included in the 2.0 update. The reason for the "but" is that the 2.0 has no real written-in-stone eta. If you used the free version and then installed the Plus version over top of it you are likely having conflicts.

So, when was the last time Stardock gave an update regarding the 2.0 update?

Mirsguy
Reply #6 Friday, September 19, 2008 7:17 PM

I am using Vista Ultimate x64. I had problems both with the start menu and the system tray. Then I updated OD+ through impulse.

Check out this thread for your answers and even some screen shots of x64 with a working start menu!

 

https://forums.wincustomize.com/319798

DorkCoffeez
Reply #7 Friday, September 19, 2008 11:01 PM

Bibbit


So, when was the last time Stardock gave an update regarding the 2.0 update?

 

I have made several posts on this matter. It is in the works but has no scheduled release date. I have seen current versions of it in progress but can't comment on any of because we don't know what updates are going in yet. When the big 2.0 update goes out the free version will get the update with it (minus key features available only to Plus versions of course).

herodaddy
Reply #8 Monday, September 22, 2008 1:24 AM

In the mean time until an update is released, I have a workaround for it. This is for those who don't want to use the latest Alpha/Beta to get the functionality and are willing to wait (like me ).

It's a simple program that simulates the CTRL+ESC key to bring up the Start Menu. I add a shortcut entry to the program to my dock, changed the icon to the Start Button and that did the trick. The menu opens up in it's default location.

It's a Visual Studio 2008 C# windows form project, with one line of code in the Program.cs file:

           SendKeys.SendWait("^({ESC})");

I can't see any way to attach a file so if anyone does want to use it you can grab it here (I'll keep the link active until the update is released):

http://www.wizgod.com/Downloads/StartMenu.zip

The executable can be found in the StartMenu\bin\Release folder.

hd

Mirsguy
Reply #9 Monday, September 22, 2008 9:03 AM

This is for those who don't want to use the latest Alpha/Beta to get the functionality

Not sure why anyone wouldnt...

DorkCoffeez
Reply #10 Monday, September 22, 2008 2:07 PM

This is for those who don't want to use the latest Alpha/Beta to get the functionality and are willing to wait (like me ).

 

So you are aware there are multiple fixes for Object Dock contained in the current beta. The start menu docklet works for most users with the beta. I would advise trying the beta before making adjustments to the program. This is not a slight against herodaddy in any way. I am just bringing up the point that not everyone with the beta build has the start menu issue, but everyone does have multiple updates through the same build.

Bibbit
Reply #11 Tuesday, September 23, 2008 11:50 AM

Seabass

This is for those who don't want to use the latest Alpha/Beta to get the functionality and are willing to wait (like me ).
 

So you are aware there are multiple fixes for Object Dock contained in the current beta. The start menu docklet works for most users with the beta. I would advise trying the beta before making adjustments to the program. This is not a slight against herodaddy in any way. I am just bringing up the point that not everyone with the beta build has the start menu issue, but everyone does have multiple updates through the same build.
How does one get the beta build?

Mirsguy
Reply #12 Tuesday, September 23, 2008 12:09 PM

How does one get the beta build?

Check out this thread for your answers and even some screen shots of x64 with a working start menu!



https://forums.wincustomize.com/319798

To quote myself...

See the forum listed above (also mentioned in reply #6) For your answers.

Don't be afraid of a little legwork!

Bibbit
Reply #13 Tuesday, September 23, 2008 12:17 PM

Mirsguy

Don't be afraid of a little legwork!

Sorry, the way I read the post I thought you were saying the thread had tricks to try or different install methods to get it working, so I didn't read it.  I didn't realize it addressed the beta as well.  Thanks.

DorkCoffeez
Reply #14 Tuesday, September 23, 2008 11:19 PM

Short answer: In Impulse click the Stardock Orb > Preferances > show pre-release versions. Then download the lastest update for Object Dock Plus.

herodaddy
Reply #15 Thursday, September 25, 2008 12:43 AM

Sorry guys, I didn't realize it would be such an issue to provide input and offer a suggestion.

I am using Vista Ultimate 64-bit and the Start Menu does not work - "...is not currently available for 64-bit versions of Windows."

As of 1.90.033 this is still the case.

Even if this has been resolved in Alpha/Beta releases, I prefer not to use these and will wait until whenever it is resolved in a production release/update. Not everyone wants to put or is willing to risk putting Alpha/Beta versions of software on their machines.

All I did was create a little EXTERNAL program that simulates the keypress to pop up the Start Menu - I have a shortcut to the program on the dock and use the Start Button icon for it. It's a workaround not an adjustment to the ObjectDock (code).

The file is there for those who are in the same situtation and would like to use the workaround. Even if nobody uses it, I will still feel warm and fuzzy inside because I was able to offer a solution that worked for me.

Excalpius
Reply #16 Thursday, September 25, 2008 1:46 AM

I'm using beta build 538u and the start menu icon works perfectly as far as I can tell.  I also have no problems with this build in any way (and I'm using it on my main production machine), so I'd recommend you give it a shot if this feature is important to you. 

Mirsguy
Reply #17 Thursday, September 25, 2008 6:34 AM

I'm using beta build 538u and the start menu icon works perfectly as far as I can tell. I also have no problems with this build in any way (and I'm using it on my main production machine), so I'd recommend you give it a shot if this feature is important to you.

Ditto. Using this build on both of my main machines (desktop & laptop). Works wonderfully.

herodaddy
Reply #18 Thursday, September 25, 2008 10:30 AM

Mirsguy

I'm using beta build 538u and the start menu icon works perfectly as far as I can tell. I also have no problems with this build in any way (and I'm using it on my main production machine), so I'd recommend you give it a shot if this feature is important to you.


Ditto. Using this build on both of my main machines (desktop & laptop). Works wonderfully.

The feature isn't a big deal for me, I just liked the challenge (if it was that) to get around it...The taskbar on the other hand...

I might use the laptop as a guinea pig for the beta, it's a clean install with nothing important on it.

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