WindowBlinds 5 BETA released
Bring Glass to Windows XP
Tuesday, October 4, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Stardock has released the first BETA of WindowBlinds 5. WindowBlinds is a program that can completely alter the look and feel of the Windows GUI. It does so by applying visual styles (skins) to your title bars, push buttons, Start bar, borders, etc.
The most anticipated new feature of WindowBlinds 5 is its ability to deliver glass effects to Windows XP user. Technically speaking, WindowBlinds can do full alpha blended user interfaces now, that means that skins can have a variable level of transparency. Numerous new features have been added to allow skinners to do reflective effects, shadows, smooth edges and more to their WindowBlinds skins.
WindowBlinds 5 also eliminates any dedicated processes to it. When running WindowBlinds 5, no additional processes are needed anymore, it runs as part of the system. WindowBlinds 5 BETA currently requires Windows XP (32-bit edition). A 64-bit edition will be available with beta 2. It should run on any reasonably modern video card.
WindowBlinds 5 is currently only available on Object Desktop. To get Object Desktop visit: www.objectdesktop.com.
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Melanie Harrison
Reply #42 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:09 AM
Reply #42 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:09 AM
I had the same problems as you did.I have a Dell Dimension 9100 with Radeon X 300 series and Intel Pentium D 2.80ghz; Logon Studio and Bootskin both reverted to the default Windows skins.The Vista skin i have from 'iyiniyin' was corrupted in the taskbar.Windows Explorer wanted to close because of protection against data execution.I am thinking that it is an nvidia problem ,too.Yhanks for the input.
BlackHat Inc.
Reply #43 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:15 AM
Reply #43 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:15 AM
Since the installation of WB5 Beta I have had major issues with the title bar of every window that was skinned with a WB5 version skin (IE: Arrow) being a very bright translucent white and the side and the bottom being noticably darker (especially with the latest Stealth skin). Switching skins was a MAJOR pain in the fact that it took forever sometimes crashing or maxing out my CPU.
My specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Overclocked to 2.4Ghz
BFG 6800 GT/OC @ 425Mhz/1.1Ghz (Driver V.78.01)
On the other hand my Laptop:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
ATI Xpress 200M w/ 128 MB RAM
Runs WB5 flawlessly!
The only diffrence between my two rigs configuration wise is that on my desktop I had been using UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0.
So I uninstalled WB5, rebooted, reversed the UXPatcher, rebooted, installed WB4.6, rebooted, updated to WB5, rebooted, and ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE FIXED (for a Beta
). Yes it still takes longer in WB5 to switch skins than it did with WB4.6 , but at least I havn't encountered any crashes, hangs or graphical anomalies.
SO to make a long story short, for all of those who seem to be having problems (I'm not saying it will cure them but it sure as hell couldn't hurt), get rid of your patched UXTheme and see if it helps.
My specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Overclocked to 2.4Ghz
BFG 6800 GT/OC @ 425Mhz/1.1Ghz (Driver V.78.01)
On the other hand my Laptop:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
ATI Xpress 200M w/ 128 MB RAM
Runs WB5 flawlessly!
The only diffrence between my two rigs configuration wise is that on my desktop I had been using UXTheme Multi-Patcher (Neowin Edition) 4.0.
So I uninstalled WB5, rebooted, reversed the UXPatcher, rebooted, installed WB4.6, rebooted, updated to WB5, rebooted, and ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE FIXED (for a Beta
). Yes it still takes longer in WB5 to switch skins than it did with WB4.6 , but at least I havn't encountered any crashes, hangs or graphical anomalies.SO to make a long story short, for all of those who seem to be having problems (I'm not saying it will cure them but it sure as hell couldn't hurt), get rid of your patched UXTheme and see if it helps.
xxZeroVirusxx
Reply #44 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:23 AM
Reply #44 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:23 AM
I thought it was clear that x64 doesn't work. Next time you say you're running an Athlon64, regardless of the number, SAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE RUNNING WINDOWS XP x64 EDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, you're just getting the hopes up for people like me.
indigonecro
Reply #45 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:49 AM
George,
I don't want my post to become misleading in any way. I'm in no way affiliated with Stardock or Wincustomize.com, besides being a customer. Therefor, I would highly recommend directing specific issues and questions towards their support. I'm just a techie in general is what my statement meant.
However, I'm my professional "customer" oppinion. I'm seeing with my friends and many many others on here that certain ATI cards are just having a lot of issues accepting WB 5 Beta. I'd imagine it's because they are running older drivers and need to update them.
That would be the case for my friends, although I'm not sure if they've tested it with the newer drivers for their cards. I'm also noticing a lot of AMD Athlon 64 issues as well. As far as myself, I run an 2 GHz Intel P4 w/ 512 L2 Cache. So, I would be difficult to perform a thourough analysis besides reading the support threads. Hopefully, my insight can help you in some way and also the community. I'm not the biggest expert in any way, and of course, not affiliated with Stardock or Wincustomize.com so I'm not sure what I can figure out over the ones who've actually designed the software and know it inside and out. 
I'm just a Hotel Night Auditor with freelancing techie support and can occassionally solve "some" windows-based issues people have.
Reply #45 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:49 AM
| Laoran, Just wanted to post this: Everything seems fine on my system after installing wb 4.90a[b].002 - the only thing different from you is my skins take about 20 seconds or thereabout to load after the "Please Wait" sign pops-up. I don't use the Logon app but most everything else works fine, IC Pack, Rt.Clk, Icon Dev, Icon X, SkinS, ObjectE, WindowFX, CurXp - nothing missing & all the older skins display great with all bit maps intact as far as I can tell...the Display Properties really look awesome as well!! This has to be the largest change over in the GUI department yet - you can really see a large chunk of each skin! My system is: AN7 Abit Mobo, AMD 3200Xp 2.2mhz, WD Raptor HDD, Nvidia XfX 6600GT - O'Clocked slightly, NForce2 chip set, Corsair XMS Memory. I WAS going to install my ATI X850XT Platium Edition which I've aready spent $450 on....I'm very concerned with alot of people having ATI problems with this build - what do you think????? Being a tech I thought I'd run it past you. I'm very sorry others here are having so many large problems with this build!!! I know it's a BETA - all of us know the risks - but MAN; I'm really taken back with all this mayhem on so many systems!! These are not small bugs or glitches!! Thx if you can take the time to answer. |
George,
I don't want my post to become misleading in any way. I'm in no way affiliated with Stardock or Wincustomize.com, besides being a customer. Therefor, I would highly recommend directing specific issues and questions towards their support. I'm just a techie in general is what my statement meant.
However, I'm my professional "customer" oppinion. I'm seeing with my friends and many many others on here that certain ATI cards are just having a lot of issues accepting WB 5 Beta. I'd imagine it's because they are running older drivers and need to update them.
That would be the case for my friends, although I'm not sure if they've tested it with the newer drivers for their cards. I'm also noticing a lot of AMD Athlon 64 issues as well. As far as myself, I run an 2 GHz Intel P4 w/ 512 L2 Cache. So, I would be difficult to perform a thourough analysis besides reading the support threads. Hopefully, my insight can help you in some way and also the community. I'm not the biggest expert in any way, and of course, not affiliated with Stardock or Wincustomize.com so I'm not sure what I can figure out over the ones who've actually designed the software and know it inside and out. 
I'm just a Hotel Night Auditor with freelancing techie support and can occassionally solve "some" windows-based issues people have.
depl0y
Reply #46 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:17 AM
Dude, when your PC is equiped with an Athlon 64 (and mine with an Intel 64) it doesn't mean you are automaticly running Win x64. My PC (Pentium 4 D830) is also just running Windows XP (x32).
Reply #46 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:17 AM
| I thought it was clear that x64 doesn't work. Next time you say you're running an Athlon64, regardless of the number, SAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE RUNNING WINDOWS XP x64 EDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, you're just getting the hopes up for people like me. |
Dude, when your PC is equiped with an Athlon 64 (and mine with an Intel 64) it doesn't mean you are automaticly running Win x64. My PC (Pentium 4 D830) is also just running Windows XP (x32).
George Rogers Jr
Reply #47 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:25 AM
Reply #47 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:25 AM
Thx Laoran....I would direct support questions to SD/WC, but I have a feeling they have their HANDS FULL helping others far worse off than me....the only minor thing is no system tray icon...it shows up on my start panel & desktop (which I had previously). It's just that I don't want to lose all my skins to this if possible. Thx anyway - I appreciate the time taken.
Z71
Reply #48 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:42 AM
Reply #48 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:42 AM
You have one monitor in total.
(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
'NetMeeting driver' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV1', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.
'RDPDD Chained DD' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV2', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.
Having the same Logon issue. Also, after rebooting, my monitor flashes back and forth for about 10 seconds then all is well.
On a minor note, being a windowblind skinner, I sure do miss the little things like the tray icon. It's so easy to make a change and then right click to reload. Here's hoping it (of all things, LOL) gets put back in.
(Plug and Play Monitor) 1 is attached to Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
'NetMeeting driver' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV1', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.
'RDPDD Chained DD' also exists as device '\\.\DISPLAYV2', but is not attached to the desktop and is a mirror driver.
Having the same Logon issue. Also, after rebooting, my monitor flashes back and forth for about 10 seconds then all is well.
On a minor note, being a windowblind skinner, I sure do miss the little things like the tray icon. It's so easy to make a change and then right click to reload. Here's hoping it (of all things, LOL) gets put back in.
indigonecro
Reply #49 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:45 AM
George,
Not a problem. I will answer any questions you have and try to resolve any problems you do. As a person that can't sleep when I have technical issues, I understand the frustrations of others. My doors are always open to you and others having problems with the software. I will for sure put time and effort into correcting, or at least attempting to correct any issue that I can with my own knowledgebase.
As far as the tray icon. You probably seen I have the same "problem". I don't believe it's due to anything besides WB 5 Beta being more integrated with Windows though and I wouldn't worry about losing your skins if you plan on just keeping WB 5 Beta installed... Even if you plan on going back, I don't think you'll have any issues with losing them. And if like me and you worry a lot, then just open up Windows Explorer, copy the skins directory and paste it in your My Documents folder for backup. Can't say how many times that's helped me in other non Stardock product related instances.
Reply #49 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:45 AM
| Thx Laoran....I would direct support questions to SD/WC, but I have a feeling they have their HANDS FULL helping others far worse off than me....the only minor thing is no system tray icon...it shows up on my start panel & desktop (which I had previously). It's just that I don't want to lose all my skins to this if possible. Thx anyway - I appreciate the time taken. |
George,
Not a problem. I will answer any questions you have and try to resolve any problems you do. As a person that can't sleep when I have technical issues, I understand the frustrations of others. My doors are always open to you and others having problems with the software. I will for sure put time and effort into correcting, or at least attempting to correct any issue that I can with my own knowledgebase.
As far as the tray icon. You probably seen I have the same "problem". I don't believe it's due to anything besides WB 5 Beta being more integrated with Windows though and I wouldn't worry about losing your skins if you plan on just keeping WB 5 Beta installed.
.. Even if you plan on going back, I don't think you'll have any issues with losing them. And if like me and you worry a lot, then just open up Windows Explorer, copy the skins directory and paste it in your My Documents folder for backup. Can't say how many times that's helped me in other non Stardock product related instances.
George Rogers Jr
Reply #50 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:08 AM
Reply #50 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:08 AM
Thx again Laoran...just one more thing...correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there some kind of DELETE button on the WB Configuration window?? I've checked my settings there & can't find it - also in my Display Properties I think there was one??? When I click the Appearance Tab all the buttons are live: WindowBlinds, Effects, Advanced, Enabled Colouring w/Gamma - all of it seems to be there except DELETE. I have to manually go into the Windowblind folders from OD & do it there....I always like to delete anything thats been updated like MikeB314's StealthOS wb skin which he says is for WB5 ONLY!! I do that anytime something is updated to prevent the kinds of conflicts associated with older skins already installed!!
indigonecro
Reply #51 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:14 AM
Hmm.. Ya know I noticed that too. Kinda slipped my mind when I was home to look into it. (I watch my 7 mo. old son during the day and work Full-time Hotel Night Auditor/Security at night) So, time isn't really of the essence when I'm home. Lol. But I'll look into it when I get home and see if I can't find a way to delete from the configuration window or have that tray icon appear (if it can). But, I can't look into this until I get home. Best way to keep in touch with me is to just email me your issues at [email protected] and also post on here in the support forums.
I'll warn you in advance, I'm considered a Prodigy by people I can help, and an idiot by those I can't. But, at least I'll do a thorough analysis on your situation.
Reply #51 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:14 AM
| correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there some kind of DELETE button on the WB Configuration window?? |
Hmm.. Ya know I noticed that too. Kinda slipped my mind when I was home to look into it. (I watch my 7 mo. old son during the day and work Full-time Hotel Night Auditor/Security at night) So, time isn't really of the essence when I'm home. Lol.
But I'll look into it when I get home and see if I can't find a way to delete from the configuration window or have that tray icon appear (if it can). But, I can't look into this until I get home. Best way to keep in touch with me is to just email me your issues at [email protected] and also post on here in the support forums. I'll warn you in advance, I'm considered a Prodigy by people I can help, and an idiot by those I can't. But, at least I'll do a thorough analysis on your situation.
_Martin_
Reply #53 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:42 AM
Reply #53 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:42 AM
FWIW, fundamentally I have no problems with the beta here. It's a Dell Inspiron 9300 with an ATI X300 128MB, so it would appear that not all ATI cards have some of the major problems.
The z-order on my machine can get a little confused, but that's running WB, DX, and CursorXP and so z-order issues are nothing new.
The z-order on my machine can get a little confused, but that's running WB, DX, and CursorXP and so z-order issues are nothing new.
indigonecro
Reply #54 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:53 AM
Are your ATI drivers up to date? Just for a curiosity note?
Reply #54 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 2:53 AM
| so it would appear that not all ATI cards have some of the major problems. |
Are your ATI drivers up to date? Just for a curiosity note?
Woodbridge
Reply #55 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:14 AM
Reply #55 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:14 AM
Just gotten into work, not expecting WB5 to work on my workstation. Its working perfectly
Nvidia Quadro FX1000 using very old drivers (v44.03 !)
Nvidia Quadro FX1000 using very old drivers (v44.03 !)
indigonecro
Reply #56 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:15 AM
Reply #56 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:15 AM
George,
Taken from Stardocks' website itself.
"WindowBlinds 5 also eliminates any dedicated processes to it. When running WindowBlinds 5, no additional processes are needed anymore, it runs as part of the system. WindowBlinds 5 BETA currently requires Windows XP (32-bit edition). A 64-bit edition will be available with beta 2."
In addition, for my 2 cents. As it being part of the system, it won't have a tray icon, since it's not an additional system process.
Taken from Stardocks' website itself.
"WindowBlinds 5 also eliminates any dedicated processes to it. When running WindowBlinds 5, no additional processes are needed anymore, it runs as part of the system. WindowBlinds 5 BETA currently requires Windows XP (32-bit edition). A 64-bit edition will be available with beta 2."
In addition, for my 2 cents. As it being part of the system, it won't have a tray icon, since it's not an additional system process.
indigonecro
Reply #57 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:17 AM
Lol. Perhaps in your case WB5 gave up and figured it would work due to your ancient drivers.
Reply #57 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:17 AM
| Nvidia Quadro FX1000 using very old drivers (v44.03 !) |
Lol. Perhaps in your case WB5 gave up and figured it would work due to your ancient drivers.
indigonecro
Reply #59 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:38 AM
Read:
"WindowBlinds 5 is currently only available on Object Desktop. To get Object Desktop visit: www.objectdesktop.com."
If you're looking for pirated software here or people that are willing to give up the software to non-OD users you won't find them amongst this community. Or at least, I would hope not. Not to sound like a jerk, but I paid for OD and you will too if you want it's benefits.
Reply #59 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:38 AM
| Link for WB 5 beta please. |
| Citizen Hydromanekin |
"WindowBlinds 5 is currently only available on Object Desktop. To get Object Desktop visit: www.objectdesktop.com."
If you're looking for pirated software here or people that are willing to give up the software to non-OD users you won't find them amongst this community. Or at least, I would hope not. Not to sound like a jerk, but I paid for OD and you will too if you want it's benefits.
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Reply #41 Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:00 AM
AN7 Abit Mobo, AMD 3200Xp 2.2mhz, WD Raptor HDD, Nvidia XfX 6600GT - O'Clocked slightly, NForce2 chip set, Corsair XMS Memory. I WAS going to install my ATI X850XT Platium Edition which I've aready spent $450 on....I'm very concerned with alot of people having ATI problems with this build - what do you think????? Being a tech I thought I'd run it past you. I'm very sorry others here are having so many large problems with this build!!! I know it's a BETA - all of us know the risks - but MAN; I'm really taken back with all this mayhem on so many systems!! These are not small bugs or glitches!! Thx if you can take the time to answer.