Jorge,

The latest virus scan using BitDefender has supposedly deleted "wsxservice.exe" from my system saying that it was infected. I still see the file is present, but it is no longer running. Is it still needed? Nexus still is running after a reboot. I don't see any difference.

What does it do? Do I still need it?

Thanks,
Grouch

Sigh.

Yes, you need it. It does *everything* that requires admin privileges to do (such as installing new fonts in themes, adjusting the clock according to the Internet time servers, retrieving information about *all* processes running in your system, instead of just the non-elevated ones, and much more).

Without it Winstep applications are designed to still run, but things won't always work properly.

For instance, suppose you have a shortcut in your dock to an application that runs elevated - i.e.; requires a UAC prompt - and you also have the dock set to show running indicators. Without WsxService, that shortcut will never display an indicator even if the application itself is running.

Or you install a new theme that requires a special font embedded in the theme: without WsxService, the font is not automatically installed and the theme will display some ugly generic font replacement.

Anyway, HERE is the result of analyzing WsxService with the 42 different virus engines at VirusTotal. As you can see, it's 100% clean. So much for BitDefender's accuracy.

Jorge,

According to your link, BitDefender shows that it's OK. Should I just re-run the installer (and cross my fingers)?

Thanks,
Grouch

Assuming WsxService.exe still exists in the Winstep Program Files folder:

Update BitDefender's definitions, write them an email regarding what happened and pointing out VirusTotal results, then go to the Windows Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services, look for 'Winstep Xtreme Service', double click it, then click the Start button in the dialog that pops up (if the service has been stopped).

Jorge,

Nope, it was gone. There was a copy in the backup directory. All is well now. I updated the definitions and forced a check on the file and it was happy with it. They must have already fixed their error.

Thanks,
Grouch

<edit>
There was a point, several years ago, that BitDefender declared that BitDefender had a virus. It proceeded to delete itself.
</edit>

AHAHAHAHA! And you still use it?

Anyway, if you used the copy of WsxService in the backup folder, I suggest you re-install the full version of Winstep Xtreme v12.2 on top of your current installation. If WsxService.exe was in the backup folder it's because a new version has replaced it in the mean time, so you're probably running an old version now.

You won't lose your settings if you install v12.2 *on top* (i.e.; provided you do NOT uninstall anything first).

Yes. I still use it. There was a time that Norton/Symantec declared that Windows 64-bit was infected, and deleted critical files from the OS. You couldn't reboot.

Speaking of BitDefender, we were of course, there's still the problem of the mystery window that appears (see the other thread). It occurs to me that the problem is related to the sub-docks that hide behind the parent when you are at the desktop. The work-around is obviously to not be at the desktop. But that's like telling your doctor, "Doc, it hurts when I do this" and the doctor says "Don't do that". That pesky z-level thingy. My concern is that if someone else sees a similar problem with another app, they may go nuts on the vendor of the app thinking it's their problem.

I know what it's like to fix one thing, only to break another (I've been there). The old rule of programming, "Fix one, break two".

Thanks,
Grouch

Hi I download Bitdefender antivirus and all works very good.

Yes. I just downloaded BitDefender Internet Security 2013 and the problem has been resolved. The three applications that were affected no longer have the problem. There was a conflict between BD and NeXuS Ultimate not playing nice together. All is well now.

Thanks,
Grouch

Dammit! I spoke too soon. Two of the three are back to misbehaving. Again, Nexus Ultimate has the problem of sub-docks hiding behind the dock (when at the desktop). BitDefender has the mystery window appearing on the desktop.

Thanks,
Grouch



Edit: added partial screen capture.

currenly using eset smart security and it's great with winstep xtreme. i didn't like bitdefender not much you can change in it.

Jorge,

In an effort to isolate what is causing the symptoms I'm seeing, I did some extensive testing.

1. I totally uninstalled all vestiges of BitDefender.

2. I used "msconfig" to disable ALL startup apps except NeXuS Ultimate.

3. Rebooted

4. I clicked on the desktop then bumped the screen edge to make the dock visible, I hovered over an icon that had a sub-dock. The sub-dock appeared behind the parent dock. I moved the mouse away from the dock so it would collapse back to the screen edge.

5. I hit Alt-Tab and followed the same steps above, and the sub-dock appeared in front of the parent dock, as it should.

It SEEMS that there is an off-by-one error in the z-levels of "NeXuS vs. Desktop" that Alt-Tab corrects. It is not just the sub-dock that hides behind the parent. Any "Dock entry properties" dialog has to be dragged out from behind the dock in order to click the "OK" or "Cancel" buttons.

BitDefender was not the cause of the issue, it was just affected by it. It was probably putting its window lower than the Desktop to hide it, but the issue is placing it above the Desktop's z-level.

I think that if Nexus assured that it was at least 1-higher than the desktop, it might resolve the issue. {or} Maybe the Desktop is lower than it's supposed to be and other programs placing something just below the desktop are now visible.

Please give it some thought.

Thanks,
Grouch

Hi Grouch. A couple of things.

1. Do you have another computer to install a trial version of Xtreme?

2. What are your settings for Parent dock and sub-dock?

The reason I'm asking is because I have Xtreme and I'm not sure if your problem may be related only to Nexus Ultimate because of a bug, setting or something with your system.

I added a new sub-dock to test it out and didn't experience any of the problems you've been having with no changes to the new sub-dock.

If I bump my parent dock which is located at the bottom like yours, it will cover the sub-dock. If I simply place the cursor over the sub-dock for a second or so, it will then be over the parent dock.

However, when I changed the new sub-dock to respond to an edge-bump, it did not stay over the parent dock after moving the cursor from the sub-dock if I have a folder or webpage open. It will stay if I bump for the sub-dock AFTER bumping for the parent dock.

If I minimize the folder or webpage so only the Desktop is showing, it will work fine as I described at first with no changes to the sub-dock. I'm not sure if it's because of my settings.

So, maybe the solution might be for you to bump the parent dock first, THEN by whatever means you use to bring the sub-dock to the foreground, do that.

@Windy,

I have another PC, but it is reserved for my wife's business. I'm not about to risk having a glitch affect her business.

As to my settings, the Nexus dock is set to hide until an edge-bump slides it up from the bottom. At that time the icons with sub-docks are visible. Settings for the parent dock are as follows:

Ahh, I think I might see what the problem is. On the first screenshot you posted your setting is Always above other windows. Set it to Same as other windows. That's what mine is set to and see if that helps.

On the second screenshot for the setting: Which action would you like to use to activate this dock?, you have None. I'm not sure if I'm a little confused on what dock you have set to do what, but I have my parent dock set to Bump Bottom Screen Edge.




As far as Xtreme messing up a computer, I don't think it could. From my experience and others I've read here on the Forum, I have never known a Winstep product to screw up a computer. Even on the rare occasion that there is a bug, it only affects the Winstep program, not the computer.

In almost all cases where there is a problem, it's a third-party application that breaks or hampers the Winstep product. I've seen on numerous occasions that a Winstep product gets the blame for screwing up a computer but later the poster figures out that it was malware they picked up just before or after they installed the Winstep product, or some other problem that Winstep did not create. My security program has incorrectly flagged Xtreme and I sent them a message to let them know it was a false-positive and to Whitelist it.

The only thing I recall being even close to affecting the computer was if someone was doing something concerning playing a game or had duel monitors. But those problems didn't mess up the computer, it only affected those specific things which were minor and a solution was found quickly.

Your wife's computer should be safe. I can vouch for that! Just make sure she isn't running Bit Defender You never know, it could be the culprit.

P.S. What I found is sometimes you have to turn off all security programs when installing certain programs. I set up several friends computers that purchased Xtreme and the first thing I do is turn off the security programs before installing it.