The old saying 'you get what you pay for' comes to mind.

Neil I completely agree with you on that last statement!
If you want the best - you buy the best from Stardock period.
I just hope somehow the cracked programs are found and removed from the net somehow.
People just need to realize they can get so much more by just being part of Stardock and Wincustomize...
By just trying and then buying if they like. There are so many prospects for the people to take advantage of doing so.
There are also so many visitors - that could be so benefitted by doing so as well. It would be nice to see the visitors who want so much to come around and just buy things - instaed of trying to figure ways to get it for free.

The old saying 'you get what you pay for' comes to mind.

Thats the best statement here as of yet - which I completely agree with...>~!
SGT

Well i'm only having problem like this only with MAME32 and that is only after exiting an emulation. Not sure why, WB4 didn't do that so i reverted to that.

That is just with WB5 Trial, don't know about full versions though cause it does say you can skin non-skin-aware apps...Well...

There are various backup checks in WindowBlinds that work in a variety of ways. However, the cracks that are out there brute forced it and made it so that when one of the backup checks turned on, that WindowBlinds could no longer repaint their resources.

I think this is illegal...noone has the right to tresspass and load or take info from my PC...unless this is said in the Terms of Services or Disclaimer during install then i do not agree to this SD handling, although i do understand the reasons, still think is malpractise...just remew Disclaimer so that people know that info WILL be sent from their computers...

PS: This WB informing service can it become an exploit from hackers? Wouldn't like anyone snooping and messing around with my computer...

I think this is illegal...noone has the right to tresspass and load or take info from my PC...unless this is said in the Terms of Services or Disclaimer during install then i do not agree to this SD handling, although i do understand the reasons, still think is malpractise...

Cyberworld....apart from the initial 'product activation' [just like XP] there IS no need for WB to contact ANYONE at all.

The 'checking' referred-to is coded within the program....if it found an 'issue' [read 'crack'] it would have ceased functioning whether the system was online or not.

Nothing in the program or its EULA, etc is illegal, nor is there any 'tresspass', or malpractise.

To suggest otherwise is to potentially invite a certain amount of legal 'grief' for unsubstantiated assertion/s....

If, for example...a program was date-aware [as most are] it is a simple process to trigger a program integrity check....[crc] and if it's found to be 'altered' then the proggy can be set to exit....or pop up a warning, eg..."CRC failed....system altered...contact support for solution"

Now, if the alteration was clumsy....it's quite probable that the 'ideal' exit sequence may also be 'damaged', leading to a 'broken' install...and system errors.

From the number of 'irate' crack users coming here it's clear that the crack was crap...some pea-brain got it wrong...and SHOULD be quietly having his nostrils slit as a thankyou....

But...

Instead they come here blaming Stardock for all kinds of nefarious deeds...[they were also on the grassy knoll....].

These CHILDREN need to go to school and get learned a bit...because even this whole bunch that turned up couldn't  make a gestalt between them....

think this is illegal...noone has the right to tresspass and load or take info from my PC

If it's illegal to harm your PC, then one would have to have the cracker charged. Windowblinds (when used legally) causes no harm.

And if one chooses to install (cracked) software, there is no tresspass, that person made a choice and [I think] is ok with breaking the law. How wrong can it be t o steal from a thief? {personal note: stealing is wrong no matter what. But am I going to shed tears over the thief? Don't think so]

If one uses legal software then the license agreement covers (or should cover) what is transmitted.

If one is a thief and stealing software I think the phrase "caveat emptor" takes on much more weightLink.

LOL ....found a "cracked" version of Windowblinds that works. It fixed all that black screen stuff and missing taskbar. The reason i said "cracked" becasue the every dang program is crack proof. People need to make programs uncrackable but that is impossible. Crack means that it is broken. Make a Windowblinds or any program crack proof....In a car company if part is broken they fix it so it will not happen again. The car will run fine. So in the code of windowblinds something is broken "FIX IT" so it will not be cracked or hacked again. I am not downing crackers or hackers or Stardock. I am just mad that somone found a problem with your windowblinds making use of it. Oh well enough of the Bit@hing just had to put my two cents in all of this.

The old saying 'you get what you pay for' comes to mind.

My previous comment about crack kills is now replaced by this :

Software Cracks are like drugs : you use you lose

well, you coulda changed this so's as not to appear I was dissing Jason


[edited by Troll]

changed this so's as not to a

Wonder what I missed....

not much actually

number of 'irate' crack users

(giggle, giggle)

FYI there is a fully working patch (fixed) available. So you guys might as well spend some more time doing your tech support and forget about a lost anti piracy battle. Because if someone does not want to buy it they will find a way and get it for free. Otherwise they will not want something bad enough and will just give up.

Either way you won't get a penny from them.

How about some attention to paying customers?

All out of crackers, but I'm willing to cut the cheese to go with the whine.

FYI there is a fully working patch (fixed) available.

Lad....the first 'crack' failed, and quite spectacularly, too......just count the panic-stricken bed-wetters who came here crying.  Who can say how or when this 'new' one will show itself to be the tragic folly of dozens more fools?

You really don't NEED Stardock Support....you need an education in practical logic. 

The first crack WORKED, too.......................

................................For a while.

that skarn is the van gogh of our era, i tell ya

You mean he only has one ear? By the look of his drawing it's only one finger he's got...

panic-stricken bed-wetters

panic-stricken bed-wetters

yeah, right...kinda like Otis as Still Keeper?

Let me run this by you guys. I'm an Object Desktop Subscriber, reupped in September along with 2 more years of WinCustimize. Wiped my PC about 3 weeks ago, downloaded Stardock Central, plugged in my serials that came in my Stardock support email, grabbed Windowblinds 5 and everything has been fine. Now I'm getting that same issue those guys with cracked copies have been getting. Black program listings, black screenshots, etc. WindowsBlinds information shows: WindowBlinds 5.0 System Information Report:

STATUS : WB+ SRV+ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

My question is this: has there been any confirmation of the rumors, that there is a Microsoft update that is causing issues? Or, could the problem lie with my remoting in through terminal services from work and Windowsblinds not recovering from features being disabled and re-enabled. When I look at the WindowBlinds info screen while I'm Terminaled in it states: "Your machine does not support per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins" but it does if I'm running it normally. Could all these system state changes without a reboot be causing this? I have sent a support ticket into Stardock in case there is some kind of serial # issue, but thought I would get your input if you are willing.

Thanks.

Atmos42,

I would suspect the remoting in via terminal services.....

Probably a driver issue....

I do not use remote services, so my experience with WB5 and possible remote services ends there.

I do have all Windows Updates installed on both my Desktop and Notebook - with the exception of .NET 2.0 Framework (KB829019), Smart Card package (KB909520), Media Content 2.0 (KB909993), and WMDRM-enabled Media players (KB891122).

WB5 runs just fine on both machines with the updates, and I believe Neil (WB developer) has indicated that Windows Updates are not an issue.

Ok. Here I was walking to work this morning listening to the Poweruser Podcast, and suddenly felt like I was being called a pirate when I wasn't. So I jumped in to see what was going on. I've suspected that it is probable a remote services issue and will work on it from there.

Thanks!

FYI there is a fully working patch (fixed) available. So you guys might as well spend some more time doing your tech support and forget about a lost anti piracy battle. Because if someone does not want to buy it they will find a way and get it for free. Otherwise they will not want something bad enough and will just give up. Either way you won't get a penny from them. How about some attention to paying customers?

You again Dumpa? I thought we were done hearing your threatening and mean-spirited tone when your silly rant was shut down. Oh well, I guess some people never learn. Or wait a minute, I guess this confirms your "version" of WB5. Otherwise, ahem, how would you know.

This person needs help:
https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=187&AID=96454