Koasati Koasati

Tips for new users!

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Tips for new users!

from WinCustomize Forums
It was suggested that an article I put together should be placed in the New User section. I want to expand on that
What I hope happens in this thread is that the people I see helping others in the forums, will help me put together tips for the new folks.
This stuff can be confusing at first, and we see a lot of the same questions being asked often. So, we should be able to answer them in this thread, where they'll be easy to find. ;)

The Problem:
Auto-installing Skin/Theme files are downloaded as zip files.

The Cause:
SP2 appears to be common factor here, but some people report no change after SP2.
What's happening is this... self installing file extension for most skinning programs are simply renamed ZIP archives. For some reason after SP2 is installed on XP, the extensions are renamed back to .zip when downloaded.
But it's easily fixed.

The Solution:

Step 1. File extension must not be hidden. If you're unsure what that means, open Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab > "Hide extensions for known file types" should be un-checked.

Step 2. Right-click the file and select Rename. Change the zip part of the name to the proper extenion. Example; skin1.zip = skin1.wba (for a WindowBlind skin)

DesktopX Themes = .dxtheme
DesktopX Objects = .dxpack
WindowBlinds = .wba
LogonStudio = .logonxp
BootSkin = .bootskin
CursorXP = .CurXPTheme
IconPackager = .ip

If you get a warning about changing the extention, click OK

Step 3. Double-click the renamed file.


Lantec pointed out that if you use Firefox (or Opera), this file extension won't be renamed when you download.

by Developer Lantec
Monday, January 03, 2005


Just a note;
I was having this problem constantly until I switched browsers.
Since I started using firefox all downloads autoinstall correctly and those that don't auto install have the right extension. There are a whole bunch of other advantages, but this one item makes it worth the trouble. SP2 has been a real pain.....

Jason Carver suggested this work around......... rename the files when you download.

by Citizen Jason Carver
Saturday, February 12, 2005

Heres a shorter shortcut ( well shorter in my opinion )  

First write down the file extensions listed here. Next pick something to download. In this case , ill download a Window Blind file. When you click download. It shows the save as dialog. Below it , you have two choices from a drop down menu. "Zip files" and All files. Select all files , and add .wba to the end of the file name. When its done saving , you click open and TADA! its installed.

**UPDATE**

So, you like Internet Explorer....you don't want to switch browsers?
It appears that the problem can be fixed by installing a 3rd party archive program [WinZip, ZipCentral, IZArc, etc.] The problem seems to be caused by XP's built-in zip program.

faq support
605,298 views 386 replies | Pinned
Reply #226 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe a 'bump' - this is showing 9th on the list. Pin appears to be slipping.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #228 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mr. Pin has gone.
Reply #229 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I cannot open up any wma, wsz or sysmetric files. They download as zip but there are no exe files inside of the zip folders. How are these files installed?
Reply #230 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You need to rename the .zip to .wma, .wsz, and the sysmetrix extension escapes me at the moment......... anyway, rename, then double click.
Reply #231 from WinCustomize Forums Top
sysmetrix extension


.SMX

If it is a .zip then unzip to a temp folder and move the last sub folder to: C:\Program Files\SysMetrix\Themes
Reply #232 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the information...Now how about loading object docks. Is it the same formula but discovering the extenstion?
Reply #233 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ObjectDock downloads are image files (PNG) in a .zip folder. Unzip to C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Images
Reply #234 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For ObjectDock.....
Backgrounds must be extracted to the Backgrounds folder in the ObjectDock directory.
Docklets belong in the Docklets folder.
Images (png, and ico files) can actually be anywhere in the OD directory, but I find it best to organize them in their own folders.
Reply #235 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the response. Should all Object Dock files have an extenstion? I downloaded the Matrix_Xtreme files but there are no extentions. How do I tell if it is a docklet or other file. I have extracted them to the backgrounds and the images but they do not appear.
Reply #237 from WinCustomize Forums Top
NdLessWalls,

Step #1 = Install the Stardock Central program, then start it up and log on using your Stardock account (e-mail address and password needed).

Step #2 - After successfully starting and logging on to Stardock Central, go to "Tools > Register Products" and select the Object Desktop in the Register section of left-hand pane > In the right-hand pane, select Object Desktop subscription from the drop-down list, enter your e-mail address, and enter the serial number that you received (probably via e-mail) and used to install Stardock Central > click the Register (Update) button to register your product > click OK to close registration dialog.

Step #3 - on the bottom edge of the Stardock Central window, I suggest deselecting the "Show pre-release versions" option to prevent having an "Alpha/Beta" version of the various softwares installed. These versions are still being tested, and probably contain bugs. It is usually best to start with the officially released versions to use and see how you like them.

Step #4 - Select the Object Desktop category in the left-hand pane of the Stardock Central window.

Step #5 - Click on a program in the main pane (left) and click the "Install" button. This will start the downloading, extracting, and installing process for that program. I personally recommend installing WindowBlinds, Icon Packager, and DesktopX to start with, as well as ObjectDock from the Misc or Free category.

These programs will allow you to do the following:

WindowBlinds allows you to select and apply a skin for the explorer shell (Start Menu, Taskbar, and Window frames), buttons, and toolbar icons.

IconPackager allows you to select and apply an icon packager which will change most all of the system icons and file type icons.

DesktopX allows you to run widgets, apply alternate desktop themes, and create your own desktop objects (you might start with running a couple widgets, you do not need DesktopX running to do this).

ObjectDock allows you to have a dock (anchor point) for icons (which can be displayed in large sizes with high quality graphic images). These dock icons can be added or removed as needed, and their images can be changed to any ".ico"file (standard icon file) or any ".png" (image file).

SkinStudio and IconDeveloper programs are design creation programs, that when combined with an image editing program such as Photoshop or CorelDRAW, allow you to create your own WindowBlinds skins and IconPackages.

This should get you going, and there are many other programs and goodies available through the Stardock Central program, which is more or less the control center for installing, archiving, and removing Stardock programs.

Stardock Central is also a web browser, Newsgroup link, and IRC chat link.

After installing the programs, go ahead and download some content from the libraries here at WinCustomize to use. I have written a mini tutorial on downloading content for beginners here Link

I hope this helps, and definitely post again any time you need help - someone is always dropping by to see if users need assistance.
Reply #238 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok i am relly new to this stuff its like german to an english speaker only...i want to install the sevenswords cursor for my comp. can any of u tell me how to do this plz thax a lot
Reply #239 from WinCustomize Forums Top
whitewiz,

You will need to install CursorXP, which you can get here Link

After installing, you can go to my tutorial on downloading content and follow the instructions to download, and then double-click downloaded file to install
Link

That should do it.
Reply #240 from WinCustomize Forums Top
thanks corky o. . guess the best thing to do is look around huh? im sure ill be back with a million more questions. thanks again
Reply #242 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok i got some great cursors wow ppl are talented now i want to know about bootskins, desktop x objects, desktop themes, i want to know what they are and what they do and how i can make them work...u guys are awesome thx again
Reply #243 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't get the window blinds working. When i try opening the files i downloaded from this page, nothing happens???
How can I get them working????
Reply #244 from WinCustomize Forums Top
whitewiz,

1 – Bootskins are basically an image that is displayed during the loading of the Operating System (where you usually see the black screen with Windows XP displayed and a series of progress lights running underneath). This program is a bit fickle about what BIOS versions it is compatible with – so it may or may not work on your system. I would recommend leaving this program until last to try out.

2 – DesktopX is a program that supports Objects on your desktop. An object can be anything from a simple shortcut using a high quality image displayed at a large size, to an intricate combination of graphics and text making up say something like a control panel, or an alternative taskbar, etc.

These objects can be combined to create a complete desktop, which can be used as an alternative desktop environment. Objects can also be exported as widgets (or gadgets if you have the professional version of DesktopX), and these widgets are actually mini programs, which can be run as stand-alone programs if you have DesktopX installed on the computer.

Gadgets can be run without DesktopX installed.

Common widgets do anything from display weather or time, to having live news headlines displayed on your desktop. Again, they originate as objects, which consist of graphic images, text if needed, and a program script.

A couple of examples for alternative desktops would be here Link, and here Link

th3 lon3r,

You will need WindowBlinds installed to start with Link

Note – the shareware version will work with Windows XP and 2000, not with 9x.

After installing the program, try reading my mini tutorial on downloading Link and get a couple of files downloaded, then double-click the file to install it to the proper directory.

Start the WindowBlinds program, select any skin displayed in the main pane, and then click the “Apply this skin now” option on the right side of the panel.

Wait a few seconds and the Taskbar, Start Menu, and Explorer shell should be skinned.

I hope this helps.
Reply #245 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok bootskins ill leave for now...um i installed the windowsblind program but i dont understand how to use it...like lets say i download the dragondesktop.dxtheme how would i install that

and to me widgets and objects look like allmost the same thing?
Reply #246 from WinCustomize Forums Top
whitewiz,

Sorry, the WindowBlinds link was for comment #243 by "th3 lon3r".

You will need DesktopX Link for any DesktopX themes.

Objects and Widgets are basically the same, with the exception that Objects require DesktopX to be running, and Widgets only require that DesktopX be installed on the computer to work.

The free "shareware" version of DesktopX will give you an idea of what the program can do, and the ability to run Objects, Widgets, and Themes. Unless there has been a change, the shareware version is limited in the ability to modify any of these Objects, Widgets, and Themes - so you will be able to run them, but you won't be able to add new items to say a menu in a DesktopX theme.

I have had Object Desktop for some time now, and have not used the current shareware versions to test all the limitations, so you will have to play around with it.

As a side note:

WindowBlinds is for the skins downloaded from the WindowBlinds library, which will skin the "explorer" part of the operating system - Taskbar, Start Menu, and Window Frame. The free "shareware" version is limited in some ways, but will skin these items and give anyone a chance to see if they like it.

The enhanced (purchased) version of WindowBlinds will also skin the Internet Explorer toolbar icons, scroll bar buttons and bars, as well as other parts.

I apologize for any confusion there.
Reply #248 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I always have an objectdock crash after awhile when I use the ObjectDock Tray docklet
by Melchior Moos (Version 1.21).... Does anyone know about a newer version, an alternative option or at least (and most important to me) a docklet that lets me to securely eject usb drives?

I'm currently using Windows XP SP2 and the latest version of Objectdock (1.20)...
Reply #249 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok well this is the problem i have been having! It only allows me to use certain skins. The windows blinds only reconises some of the hundreds that are on offer. Some downloads have just one file in the folder + that works. But others have hundreds of files and they dont work. I think i have done everything you have told me to do i just hope it works. Thank you for a grreat post!
Reply #250 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Essex lad,

It sounds like you are ending up with a ".zip" file after download, and some are supposed to be the ".wba" file (the ones with a lot of images, and files).

Try following my mini tutorial on downloading content here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82563

The idea, is that you want to maintain the original file type after download is complete (for WindowBlinds it should be ".wba" file type).

After a successful download of a ".wba" file, you simply double-click the file > start WindowBlinds > select the skin in My Skins category > click the "Apply this skin now" option on the right side of the WindowBlinds configuration panel.

Note - the other option is to change the ".zip" file extension to ".wba", then install.