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Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 6:32 pm
by Patreides
I just install the Windows 7 RC1 64 bit OS. It is very nice!

I installed Iconoid (x64) - unzipped the RAR package to C:\Program Files\Iconoid.

I the ran Iconoid.exe, It runs with no errors and shows up in the Task Manager Process list as a 64 bit process.

However, it does not create a System tray Icon nor does the Iconoid setup configuration window open.

Any help would be appreciested.

Thanks!

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:45 pm
by phil
Hi,

I haven't tried Iconoid with Windows 7 but I suspect there are going to be some issues because from looking at other apps that access the desktop icons (my mouse software for example) the code to get the icon handles need changing. I'm not sure about the system tray of config though.

I only ported Iconoid to x64 so I'm not particularly familiar with the code so I cont make any promises on this one - it maybe beneficial to speak to the author of the software too (I suspect the 32bit program will suffer the same problem son x86 windows 7).

I don't have Win7 installed here on my dev machine but I was thinking of "upgrading" soon because the machines I have tried it on have seen a massive improvement over Vista! When I do, I will maybe take a look at why Iconoid is not working.

Thanks,
Phil

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 4:48 am
by Patreides
Phil,

Thank you for the quick reply.

I understand the situation and will take your suggestion to ask SillySoft, the Iconoid developers, about future Windows 7 support.

I suggest you try out the Windows 7 RC available until June(?). I have installed the 64 bit version. It seems a really stable release and there are many things about it I like over Vista, including performance/memory management. Thus far I have not needed or wanted to boot back to Vista.

But I do miss Iconoid..... :(

Best wishes! :)

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 12:47 pm
by phil
Patreides wrote:I suggest you try out the Windows 7 RC available until June(?).
As a MSDN subscriber, I have both x86 and x64. I have got the x64 RC1 installed on my media centre machine, and x86 on my laptop, just not on my development (debug) machine yet. As I said, 7 is far superior to Vista in my experience, I just haven't gotten round to installing on my main development machine because there is sooo much stuff to reinstall etc. (I generally don't do upgrades, only fresh installs).

Let me know if you get anything back from Sillysoft.

thanks,
Phil

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:54 am
by phil
Hi, a quick update for you.

I've put Windows 7 on my development desktop now and I think I have got Iconoid working.
Its almost completely untested so its quite possible it may not work well in Windows 7, but its worth a try :)

Download it from my downloads page. I set the version to 3.8.4.1 (still reports as 3.8.4) as I haven't changed to the 3.8.5 code base (too much duplicate work for no obvious gain)

Let me know how it works for you.

Thanks,
Phil

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 2:18 am
by Patreides
Phil,

I tried the 3.8.4.1 download. I ALMOST had it working but it causes Explorer restarts when certain settings are changed. Like Save/Restore icon positions. :D

I am installing it to the C:\Program Files\Iconoid folder (not the (x86) folder).

I have tried various compatibility settings, turns UAC off/on etc. with no luck. Under certain circumstances I can get the configuration menu to come up and even get the task tray icon. The icons will disappear and reappear. But it is very inconsistent. Eventually it causes Explorer to fault and restart.

The Applications Event log error is:

Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, version: 6.1.7100.0, time stamp: 0x49ee974f
Faulting module name: comctl32.dll, version: 6.10.7100.0, time stamp: 0x49eea971
Exception code: 0xc000041d
Fault offset: 0x0000000000107cbd
Faulting process id: 0xe44
Faulting application start time: 0x01c9dd9dd4c15ba2
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.7100.0_none_8fb1307a5ee9ecec\comctl32.dll
Report Id: 238e8d3b-4991-11de-8cfc-001d0987a201

I noticed that faulting module name is "comctl32.dll". Should I be using the (x86) program folder?

Thanks!

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:25 am
by Patreides
Phil,

I have Iconoid loading and running pretty smoothly.

I hve it set to "Run As Administrator" and to in Vista compatibility mode.

The system tray icon loads and unload correctly if the Taskbar is LOCKED.

I still get an Explorer restart when certain menu options are selected but the hide icon function(s) are working fine.

Thanks

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:34 am
by phil
To be honest, Im not surprised your seeing errors, so much has changed relating to the desktop in Windows 7.
I have contacted that author and given him a copy of my code, he seems to think that Iconoid works on the 32bit version of 7 (build 7000 I think) but Im not so sure its that clear cut (because that has the same changes).

As for the installation folder, it makes no difference, its only a folder. Physically there is no difference between "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" - its not like system32 and syswow64, its just done for convenience and clarity (or lack of in some cases!).

As I didn't actually write iconoid, I cant really be of much help - the code is not particularly easy to follow but like you, in the brief time I tried it I had issues. I think I was running it elevated as it happens - so that explains why you got more out of it running it as administrator.

Save and restore icons is probably the easy one for me to target because I have re-used parts of that code myself and that all works for me (although I didn't copy it directly, just the principles).

I cant promise anything - I may take a look at it and find/fix some bugs, but no promises.

For what its worth, you know 7 has a hide/show icons function built in right?

Thanks,
Phil

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:24 pm
by Patreides
Phil,

I knew of the "Hide" finction in Windows 7 but it is a simple and manual On/Off function as far as I know.

Actually the Iconoid feature I REALLY like/want is the "Hide based on cursor position" with timer settings and that is working fine.

Perhaps the originators of Iconoid will migrate to 64 bit with the advent of Windows 7 and 64 bit systems.

Well shall see...

I appreciate your time and advice!

Re: Iconoid 64 bit and Windows 7 RC 7100 Install Problem

Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 2:32 am
by phil
Well I've been speaking to Doug (the author of Iconoid) and he has said "may be its about time I tried to setup an x64 system) but I get the impression his hardware is not up to it. So we shall see...

Right now is the best time, what with the RC of windows 7 being freely available.
Anyway, at least the main "want" seems to be working :)

Thanks,
Phil