Small problem with SP2 and Wincustomize site

Published on August 10, 2004 By UBoB In WinCustomize Talk

Just noticed this problem today.

When clicking on the Download link for a Windowblinds skin, SP2 pops up a window asking if you wish to Open or Save the file. Also, the file has been changed from the familiar .wba extension to a .zip extension.

If you choose to Open the file then Explorer opens the file as a .zip showing all the contents of the file. However, the convenient instant download and install does not happen.

If you choose to Save the file then the file is downloaded and saved to a location determined by you on your hard drive. However, it is saved as a .zip file, not a .wba file.

For whatever reason SP2 keeps identifying .wba files as .zip files on the WC website and worst, when saving them it converts the .wba extension to .zip.

Once the file is saved on your hard drive as a .zip, the only way to install it is to use the Add button under Display Properties/Appearance tab.

P.S.

When using Stardock Central to download WindowBlinds files the .wba extension is preserved, and will install automatically if you choose to.
[Message Edited]

Comments (Page 1)

Paul33

on Aug 10, 2004

The same happens to me...

Jafo

on Aug 10, 2004

You might want to remove zip handling from Windows....give it to something that gets it right.....another reason for PowerDesk Pro....

Phoon

on Aug 10, 2004

This is happening to me to. zip files are associated with winzip. Jafo, can you be a tad more specific??

UBoB

on Aug 10, 2004

I'm using version 6.2 of Explorer Plus. It also has a .zip handling feature. It makes no difference to the problem I reported in the original post. When downloading the file, either automatically or using right-click, save target as..., explorer sees a .wba file as a .zip file and saves it as one.

I've tried a number of setting changes in Windows XP SP2. Nothing is working so far. However, I'm persistent, if nothing else.

Phoon

on Aug 10, 2004

Yes, this is a major malfunction UBoB. Workable, but highly annoying.
Hope someone finds the answer.
I just uninstalled WB and re-installed. Nothing ......

Jafo

on Aug 10, 2004

I haven't got SP2 yet...but I'm guessing [pretty good guess] that my using Litestep along with PDesk and/or Explorer Plus will bypass the issue.

Perhaps it'll be another clever reason not to use explorer.exe at all....

hangar-8

on Aug 11, 2004

I haven't noticed this problem using Firefox (+SP2), IE must be trying to be overly clever again.

Neil Banfield

on Aug 11, 2004

It seems IE is being too clever & doesn't want to open those files. They do save as .wba files here though.

We will look into why IE is acting oddly & hopefully find a workaround for it.

UBoB

on Aug 14, 2004

Possible solution found:

I'm not sure if this was fixed by the good people at Wincustomize or if I accidentally fixed it myself.

The bottom line is the .wba file extension is now recognized by SP2.

The only thing I did to my computer recently was install the Microsoft .NET Framework update from Windows Update.

[Message Edited]

dabe

on Aug 15, 2004

So, for those of us who are not exceptionally computer savvy, would you recommend downloading SP2 at this time? I run XP Professional. Are there any differences in WB between Pro and Home Edition? I guess I'm a bit nervous about downloading SP2.

Recommendations would be helpful. TIA

UBoB

on Aug 15, 2004

From my experience with SP2 so far, I would recommend downloading it. To be on the safe side, give it a couple of months after the download is posted on Windows Update to give the general public time to use it and find any more small problems. That way, once you do download and install it, it should be functioning almost perfectly.

For the problem that I mentioned in my original post in this thread, It wouldn't hurt to ensure that you have the .NET Framework installed too.

Phoon

on Aug 15, 2004

UBoB,

I too noticed a sudden "fix" for no apparent reason. I did not install anything..
Here is my therory...
Once you d'load a couple of them and rename the zip file to wba and open it, I think windows recognizes what you want to do with the file and allows it to proceed accordingly when you download it.

Thats my story.. I'm sticking to it... Make up your own if you don't like my version..

UBoB

on Aug 15, 2004

Sounds good to me.

joetheblow

on Aug 15, 2004

Well, I didn't download it yet. so far my computer acts as if its safe so I will wait a few months before I get it.

I go to those sites that scan your computer for faults but so far everything is closed.

Anyway, from what Jafo says, I think I will consider PowerDesk Pro anyway. I still currently can not download skins directly after pressing DOWNLOAD. I try to set it for automatic download but it still won't work.

mrtee

on Aug 15, 2004

Buy ExplorerPlus 6 from http://www.novatix.com. They were the original writers of PowerDesk (Mijenix), V-com is a seller of programs, not the writers of programs, support is very limited and you will probably never see another version of PowerDesk.

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