Latest WB7 Beta (build 211) cause Live Messenger to crash
Monday, October 5, 2009 by mickeko | Discussion: WindowBlinds
Ok, for starters, I have this same issue on both Vista and W7 (x64)
If I apply a skin in wb7, live messenger (build 14.0.8089.726) disconnect me instantly after log in. When I switch to aero again, it works just fine.
Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 5.4
Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 7.1
WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 7.0 (build 211 - Windows 7 Edition) - 64 bit OS
WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
(SyncMaster 206BW(Digital)) 1 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 3870
(Generic PnP Monitor) 2 is attached to ATI Radeon HD 3870
Wblind.dll 2009/10/02 14:41:20
Wblind64.dll 2009/10/02 14:41:03
Wbsrv.dll 2009/09/25 15:41:52
SevenConfig.exe 2009/10/02 14:41:23
Wbload.exe 2009/09/25 15:42:10
Wbhelp.dll 2009/09/25 15:42:07
Tray.dll 2009/09/25 15:42:19
Wbload.dll 2009/09/25 15:41:29
Screen.exe 2009/09/25 15:42:05
Reply #2 Monday, October 5, 2009 4:46 AM
Ah, excellent. Thanks 
Think stardock could benefit from setting up a bug-tracker really
Reply #3 Monday, October 5, 2009 9:24 PM
this isnt actually a windowblinds 7 issue it is a windows live messenger issue. i updated to the new version of windows live messenger a few months back while still using windowblinds 6 and started having the problem then. also read alot of posts from other windowblinds users on other forums that had the same issue as soon as they upgraded wlm. Nice to see that stardocks working on a fix though 
Reply #4 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 4:17 AM
zakai1369: It was a WB7 issue that was introduced with the very latest WB7 beta build. It did not impact WB6 or previous builds of WB7.
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 5:43 AM
Note: Current bugs on build 214.
Windows 7 x64 - In Settings/Advanced user settings (old and new interface), the "I want to use Aero window frames but keep the rest of the skin" option does not work. It turns the frames opaque and ugly/broken. It does work as expected under Vista 32.
Windows 7 x64 - Explorer Background subheading does not appear under the Look & Feel tab on the old-style interface. Functionality is fine now under the New Interface so that's a workaround.
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 5:52 AM
Windows 7 x64 - In Settings/Advanced user settings (old and new interface), the "I want to use Aero window frames but keep the rest of the skin" option does not work. It turns the frames opaque and ugly/broken. It does work as expected under Vista 32.
Windows 7 x64 - Explorer Background subheading does not appear under the Look & Feel tab on the old-style interface. Functionality is fine now under the New Interface so that's a workaround.
I will have to check the first one as it should be working fine. Are you sure you don't just have transparency disabed in the Aero settings?
The second issue is not a bug. The old style UI will be removed from the final WB7 and the option was intentially hidden on Windows 7 early on in the beta and it will not be updated to change it.
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 7:36 AM
Well Enable Transparency is selected on in the Personalize/Window Color option, and I get transparency in all parts of WindowBlinds skins when I use them. Is there some way that Aero can be disabled yet WindowBlinds works or somesuch?
I'd be happy to try changing/checking something if you have an idea. But you are correct, it's like Aero is flat out off for the window frames if I use that option. Weird, huh?
If this helps, I don't think the preview window in the new interface shows the window transparency (like explorer backgrounds, etc.) correctly. I don't think they are related, but it's the only other transparency issue I've seen anywhere in the program so far.
Happy hunting!
PS And thanks for the note on the other one. No worries since it does work as expected in the new interface.
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 10:53 AM
With the latest update, WLM runs fine (on W7 at least, I didn't try my vista installation yet). Good job
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 10:55 AM
For some reason Windowblinds beta always crashed even though I'm using nVGA GeForce latest Video Card which is a beast. I've been having this problem since the beta started. I have to unload and reload vista every so often. 
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 1:17 PM
My apologies for misspeaking then. Must be a different issue than the one I have experienced.
That though is an issue I have had ever since upgrading to WLM Version 2009(build 14) on January 14th on both Vista and XP while running WB6.
So when I read his explanation of it I mistakenly assumed it was the same issue.
I did find right away when the issue started that if I switched back to Aero and then started WLM up it would stay running and usually I was then able to change Windowblinds skins again and usually didn't have an issue until I restarted. On XP though the issue occurs anytime I have windowblinds running.
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Reply #1 Monday, October 5, 2009 3:18 AM
They are aware of this and a fix is on the way. From another thread, though the title of the thread is misleading and not easy to find:-
This should be resolved in the next update.
Thanks for reporting it.