Downloaded and bought Object Desktop. Now, Object Dock dont work.

HELP! My PC OSX is incomplete w/out it!

from WinCustomize Forums
I downloaded and bought Object Desktop, then I installed/updated my software, and since then Object Dock hasnt been working. I didnt close it while upgrading it and I probably should've. It says its running under Processes in Task Mgr, but I dont see anything. So please help, I've been working on my desktop to make it look like OSX, and now I'm missing the dock. It looks so empty now and I feel like I dont know how to open applications anymore(I had over 50 shortcuts on it)I've been using the Dock since around Jan-Feb, so I know what I'm doing, just not right now.
docks
6,689 views 21 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TDRomine,

1 - Kill the process in task manager.
2 - Delete the cache (ObjectDock folder) located in "\Documents and Settings\"USERNAME"\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock" folder (Use "Folder Options>View tab" to select "Show hidden files and folders if needed).
3 - Save your theme files, any downloaded Image, Background, and Docklet files from "\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder to a temporary folder.
4 - Uninstall ObjectDock (using "Control Panel>Add/Remove programs" if it is listed there).
5 - Reboot computer and check to make sure the process is not running by some weird chance.
6 - Delete the current "ObjectDock" folder in "\Program Files\Stardock" folder
7 - Reinstall ObjectDock using "Stardock Central" (I believe it will be in the Misc. category, or that is where the ObjectDock Plus is in my SDC interface - which replaces ObjectDock if you have purchased it).
8 - Start ObjectDock and allow internet access if your firewall alerts you and asks for a decision.
9 - Test the program using the default settings.
10 - If all goes well, copy or move your saved files to their respective locations in "\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder.
11 - If your theme was one of the saved themes, you should be able to load it.

Note - the only question mark I have is whether ObjectDock (free version) is still offered in SDC. It used to be, and I am fairly confident it still is.

You always want to use SDC to install and uninstall the programs if at all possible, due to updates and the ability to create Application Archives.

Perform all these steps only after deselecting any option for Stardock products to run at start-up, unloading all programs, and returning Windows to the default theme including all icons - this is for completeness, and may or may not be an absolute necessity.

I hope this helps in some way.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thnx Corky, it should. This is off-topic but its like every 30 minutes or something Windowblinds unskins the OS. Plus, right now I have a maximized Strdck Cntrl that wont close. I'm lucky I got this open and I should be able to get into files. Uhhh...how do I do that thru the program menu? I had it on my dock. Since everything isnt going to well I'm thinking about starting from scratch and saving my Object Dock/Bar and WBlinds skins because I need my computer in nice working condition by Friday!

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Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TDRomine,

Starting from scratch sounds good to me.

Make sure you uninstall all previous versions of programs (especially the shareware), before installing the Object Desktop programs - otherwise, you may see some of the limitations show up in the full versions.

Stardock Central is a program, so I do not know of anyway for you to view the list of programs as it is presented in SDC. It is also a browser for Internet, Stardock newsgroups, and serves various other functions.

You will see an ObjectDesktop folder which will contain the currently installed programs, as well as a Stardock folder with SDC and perhaps ObjectDock in it (this is where ObjectDock Plus is located on my computer after installing through SDC).

Note - after saving files and uninstalling, remember to remove sub-directories from "\Program Files" and any uninstalled program caches (refer to #2 in my comment above).

Good luck.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thnx again. I just ended Ob. Dck in Tsk Mgr Processess and the maximzed screen that wouldnt go away left. Now for Ob. Bar and WBlinds, do I find my downloads and saves in similiar folders to #3?

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
BTW, The Object Dock I've seen where you can create different tabs, I dont like that one. W/ Plus is there a way to not create any or disable it?

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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Already a Problem. I'm on #3, 'Program Files\Stardock\' but there's no Ob.Dk folder.There Object Dsktp(I'd imagine the free stuff one I before I bought This one), The new Ob.Dsktp, the bought one, SDCentral, ThinkDesk, and Wincustomize. But first let me check to make sure I didnt tell it to install somewhere else, because I told a lot of downloads to install somewhere other than program files, which made my file system a little messy

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Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just reinstalled it...SDC asked me if I wanted to launch it, I said yes...AND ITS STILL NOT SHOWING UP!!! Its only in Tsk Mgr!

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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The folder is in its proper place now. Corky?--you still there? Someone? I need my dock...

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Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Its 'runnung' in Tsk Mgr Processess again, and while its 'runnung', if I try to minimize a page or close it it get stuck to my desktop and wont go anywhere till I end OD in processess. I cant even access the program when its like that. Should I try uninstalling again and downloading it off Stardock.com or Wincustomize, wherever it is? Object Dock stopped working when I tried to update it from the 'Free Stuff' section of SDC


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Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TDRomine,

Sorry, at work, so checking back will be intermittent at this point.

- For Stardock programs (with ObjectDesktop), you will see a "\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop" folder that should contain any of the program sub-directories that are officially part of that program (i.e., WindowBlinds, IconPackager, SkinStudio, etc.).
- ObjectDock (if installed to the default "C:\Program Files" location - will create a sub-directory at "\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock". If you had the program installed to another location - this may be where the problem is. If so, you might try installing to the default location (after uninstalling the current program, cache, and sub-directory), then test the functionality using the default theme.
- If you had installed ODock to a location other than default location, and created and saved a theme, I believe you will need to recreate the theme from scratch with ODock in default location.
- Yes, you can create normal docks only in ODock Plus. There is no requirement to use tabbed docks. I suggest loading the default theme, then create at least one dock so you can remove the default docks - then build your own theme.
- For reference, file locations for ObjectDock are as follows:

Background theme folders go to "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Backgrounds" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

Image files (preferably "PNG" files) go to "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Images" folder, or in a folder created in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder (where "C" is the letter drive). (where "C" is the letter drive).

Theme ".ini" files go to "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Themes" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

Docklets go to: "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Docklets" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

You can use this utility Link to cleanly uninstall most of the Stardock Programs - with the exception of Stardock Central and ObjectDock Plus. Uninstall ObjectDock via SDCentral first, if you do not see it listed in the "uninstall tab section of the Zapper utility.

Here is the link for the free ObjectDock program download Link

Download it > double-click > use Uninstall tab to remove programs you want to uninstall > reboot. This should give you a clean shot at an uncorrupted install of programs. Again, I would recommend removing caches and old sub-directories to prevent installing with old configurations.

If this fails, I would definitely contact tech support at Email, and include information about your product including product key, and details about your computer (Processor, RAM, Video adapter, and OS). They should be able to help.

Good luck, and I hope something works to enable use for you.

BTW - I run WindowBlinds, Icon Packager, and ObjectDock Plus without issue on XP Pro w/SP2 - so hopefully there will be a satisfactory solution.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also just saw a note indicating a conflict with some new video drivers, so it may also be the case.

Comment #7 here Link
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sorry to bother. The free version of ODock that I used before I bought OB.Dsktp worked so why shouldnt this one? Everything is working properly except the Dock...

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Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Downloaded the old version, same thing. Something new must be interfering w/ it. What about the upgdate there is for it? I downloaded 1.11 from CNet and theres the option to update to 1.11.022, could that be in there somewhere still? And this time instead of Object Dock running in Tsk Mgr it was something like Object~1.exe . Once I closed that. the program menu I told to come up 30 minutes ago came up and the windows I had open that were 'stuck' to the desktop sisappered, so this thing is kinda putting my computer into a partial freeze. If there is nothing else you know of doing, I'll contact tech support.

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Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That's it for me, anything else would be guessing at this point.

I think Tech Support is your best bet now.

Sorry I couldn't help.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I found out the problem!!! Its got something to do with one of the effects in WindowFX. I went thr the 30 minute process of deleting everything Stardock, then installing O.D. to find that it works , then installed WinFX and Windowblinds, had somw skin problems so I rebooted, found the Dock not working, new it had to be something I just installed and WFX is the only one that made sense so I disabled everything in it and the Dock works!!!

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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good deal, the docks are a real plus!
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And TDRomine...any time you use one of the free programs at stardock and then decide to purchase to paid version....always uninstall the free version first and clean out all related files before installing the upgraded version or you will having but problems.