SD Central doesn't seem to handle Object Desktop properly
Wednesday, December 10, 2003 by Destrin | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I've been using SD central for a while with GalCiv without any problems. Today I was bored and fancied trying out some of Stardocks other products. There are lots of options with the object desktop and I have no desire to create my own themese - just apply funky themes that others have made.
As such, winthemes looked like the part of the product I needed as it seemed to handle applying all the other bits in the background. I downloaded and install winthemes shareware version using SD and it's all gone a bit wrong.
Firstly the DesktopX product it installs is 1.99a which I think is wrong and SD refuses to upgrade this to the next release - not even realising there is a version 2 to upgrade to. Secondly Winstyles keeps moaning that DesktopX is out of date and as such will only half apply any themes. Thirdly none of the uninstallers for any of this stuff now runs and I've been left with a skinning system that not only doesn't work but seems impossible to get rid of!
Is there a document anywhere describing all the bits I need to remove manually to get this off my system so I can start again - also could someone recommend which product I need to download to achieve what I want and have it do it properly without it dying on me?
[Message Edited]
As such, winthemes looked like the part of the product I needed as it seemed to handle applying all the other bits in the background. I downloaded and install winthemes shareware version using SD and it's all gone a bit wrong.
Firstly the DesktopX product it installs is 1.99a which I think is wrong and SD refuses to upgrade this to the next release - not even realising there is a version 2 to upgrade to. Secondly Winstyles keeps moaning that DesktopX is out of date and as such will only half apply any themes. Thirdly none of the uninstallers for any of this stuff now runs and I've been left with a skinning system that not only doesn't work but seems impossible to get rid of!
Is there a document anywhere describing all the bits I need to remove manually to get this off my system so I can start again - also could someone recommend which product I need to download to achieve what I want and have it do it properly without it dying on me?
[Message Edited]
Destrin
Reply #2 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 8:00 AM
Reply #2 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 8:00 AM
Even using the shareware version?
I have a suspicion this could be down to the fact the full version will work properly but the shareware release might be a bit buggered, however I'm not about to part with $50 until I've seen it will do what I want it to
I have a suspicion this could be down to the fact the full version will work properly but the shareware release might be a bit buggered, however I'm not about to part with $50 until I've seen it will do what I want it to
Koasati
Reply #3 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 10:11 AM
Reply #3 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 10:11 AM
The shareware versions have some features disabled. If the shareware programs were fully functional, most folks wouldn't have much incentive to purchase the full version. .....and btw......... there is no program called winthemes. There is WinStyles (which is being phased out), and ThemeManager (the replacement for WinStyles) 
Stockholm Syndrome
Reply #4 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 10:36 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 10:36 AM
Assuming you mean WinStyles....
WinStyles is a theme manager (much like the new ThemeManager program
)and it just downloads a set of skins for several other OD programs and applies them all at once for you. Usually it will have, say, a Windowblinds skin, a DesktopX theme, an ObjectBar, a wallpaper, an IconPackager pack, a CursorXP set, and maybe others. You still have to have all those programs, WinStyles just applies them all for you. Sounds like you only have DesktopX.
The uninstall for the programs is in Stardock Central, in the panel on the left of the programs. Run, Update, Uninstall.
WinStyles is a theme manager (much like the new ThemeManager program
)and it just downloads a set of skins for several other OD programs and applies them all at once for you. Usually it will have, say, a Windowblinds skin, a DesktopX theme, an ObjectBar, a wallpaper, an IconPackager pack, a CursorXP set, and maybe others. You still have to have all those programs, WinStyles just applies them all for you. Sounds like you only have DesktopX.The uninstall for the programs is in Stardock Central, in the panel on the left of the programs. Run, Update, Uninstall.
Destrin
Reply #5 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:30 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:30 PM
I know the shaeware versions have features disabled
I also know winstyles is being phased out that was a mistype on my part.
When I said the uninstall wasn't working - I meant it wasn't working at all. Using either the uninstall link in SD Central OR via control panel a/r Programs.
I since figured out what was wrong. The Winthemes shareware version installs version 1.99a of DesktopX - this seems to be incompatible with almost every sample theme out there that uses desktopX. Once it's installed, SD Central doesn't understand that a newer version exists and it is impossible to upgrade it (using SD Central). The only way I found to get a working version was to install the shareware version of winthemes, then download the seperate installer for desktopX and install that. It works but the whole point of winthemes is it's supposed to frontend the whole thing so that you don't have to muck around with seperate programs surely? Messy.
The uninstaller path is basically broken - it looks for the install.log in c:\program files\stardock when it's in c:\program files\stardock\object dock\window blinds or something similar.
I eventually got stuff working but I don't think the shareware version is very neat and tidy - maybe it's just coz I chose the winthemes bit and not any of the specific items. I do really like this software and will probably buy it but I'm sure people less capable in working out what bits have been installed where will be put off since as it stand the standalone winthemes sharear version simply does not work (with any themes that use DesktopX and all of the ones that ship with it as sample do)
I also know winstyles is being phased out that was a mistype on my part.
When I said the uninstall wasn't working - I meant it wasn't working at all. Using either the uninstall link in SD Central OR via control panel a/r Programs.
I since figured out what was wrong. The Winthemes shareware version installs version 1.99a of DesktopX - this seems to be incompatible with almost every sample theme out there that uses desktopX. Once it's installed, SD Central doesn't understand that a newer version exists and it is impossible to upgrade it (using SD Central). The only way I found to get a working version was to install the shareware version of winthemes, then download the seperate installer for desktopX and install that. It works but the whole point of winthemes is it's supposed to frontend the whole thing so that you don't have to muck around with seperate programs surely? Messy.
The uninstaller path is basically broken - it looks for the install.log in c:\program files\stardock when it's in c:\program files\stardock\object dock\window blinds or something similar.
I eventually got stuff working but I don't think the shareware version is very neat and tidy - maybe it's just coz I chose the winthemes bit and not any of the specific items. I do really like this software and will probably buy it but I'm sure people less capable in working out what bits have been installed where will be put off since as it stand the standalone winthemes sharear version simply does not work (with any themes that use DesktopX and all of the ones that ship with it as sample do)
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Reply #1 Wednesday, December 10, 2003 7:28 AM