MythMaster

Join Date 05/2006

Ongoing Problem with Deskscapes hanging when applying background

All types

I have used Stardock for years throughout all of it's software evolutions.

About a year ago I did a fresh install of Windows 10 and installed DS10. No matter whether it is new downloads or old stored dreams using videos, Dreams, or Windows Backgrounds, when I tell it to apply the background, The background turns black and DS just sits and spins. I can generally kill it via the Task Manager. I have now purged it, upgraded to Win 11 and DS 11, and STILL have the same problem. DS is one of my favorite tools and I have been unable to use it for over a year now. I am running two 1080GTX TI in SLI mode. Up to date Nvidia drivers, and no clue. Any ideas to try? Nothing is reported in the Event Viewer. The Deskscapes config app lists as 32 bit and has two processes running, with the 2nd one Not Responding forever. Nothing else on the PC seems impacted.

Advanced Search

Watch this post

Do not email me updates for this post Email me updates for this post

Successfully updated karma reason!

Hello,
I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Successfully updated karma reason!

AzDude

Join Date 11/2002

+556

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

In Settings you have 3 option settings to choose from ( See Image below )

it is set on one of them try the other 2 and see if one of those works for you .

and then report back here , please .

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Successfully updated karma reason!

Using all 3 options trying with both pictures and dreams black background and spin. Force quit leaves background black.

Task Manager Every time.

With the GPU Engine showing

Successfully updated karma reason!

AzDude

Join Date 11/2002

+556

Hello,

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

Successfully updated karma reason!

sdrohan

Join Date 10/2012

+732

1080GTX TI in SLI mode.

And if you do not use SLI?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Successfully updated karma reason!

Turned off SLI and no joy. Also, is the Deskscapes 11 app supposed to be running? I open DS from OD and itr always goes to the config. However, I noticed if I run the DS11 app, it shows that it sees my original windows background as applied even though the screens are blck from Deskscapes changing something when it hangs. Just more little details to my saga.

Successfully updated karma reason!

AzDude

Join Date 11/2002

+556

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

I use the KLite Mega Codec pk, Try it and see if that helps your issue

find it here https://codecguide.com/download_k-lite_codec_pack_mega.htm

go with the default install , can be uninstalled if you don't want it ..

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Successfully updated karma reason!

It could very well be your Monitors resolution, fps, or even the Cables you're using... I'm no Pro just guessing... (Process of Elimination) Now, if you're using Window's Shadow Defender Ransom Protector/SmartScreen could block it without warning (Allow notifications)🤔go to Virus & Threat Protection to see if its been blocked. ( Any Anti-Virus for that matter) But I would be looking at the GPU settings/ resolution.

Successfully updated karma reason!

So I went and installed the Microsoft Store HVEC, AV1, and VP9 extensions. No joy. Then I decided to end the multiple instances of Deskscapes config that did NOT show Not Responding in the task manager. This caused Deskscapes to work. So now the question is why the 3 configs running and killing two makes the whole thing work?

Successfully updated karma reason!

Obviously, the two/three caused Deskscape to lock-up while trying to correct itself. I had a few apps. that I had to kill a few instances via Task-Manager just to get them to load properly -- Compatibility issue I guess🤔 -- I just right-click DS. Icon to Properties/Compatibility and it also has a resolution color scheme with the normal windows down-grade Modes.

Successfully updated karma reason!

The Works only applies to wallpapers. When I do the same with video or animated desktops, it applies the change to a the top 1/5th of the monitor and is distorted.

Is it normal to have 3 config processes (perhaps one per monitor) when applying a background?

This is really disheartening. Is there somewhere I can download previous versions and test?

FYI, I think it is these PG43U monitors.

Successfully updated karma reason!

AzDude

Join Date 11/2002

+556

Is your Scaling set at 100% ?

Successfully updated karma reason!

I have it ALMOST working.

By reducing the resolution of the 2 PG43U monitors, I was able to get dreams/vids to work. I STILL have to go kill the two working Deskscapes Config processes in the task manager to apply a background but now it does it right. Scaling made little difference until after the resolution was reduced.

So now it is just a matter of finding out where the break that forces me to kill processes in the TM is happening. I do not like running reduced resolution so I may stop using DS if I cannot fix this. That will suck, love the app.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Your HDMI is 2.1 so try finding high-speed cables that are 3D ready for lighting-fast data transfer -- that could be your processing problem -- being that one cable is pushing-out enough juice while the other two is short coming... Return for your money back if not problem...

Successfully updated karma reason!