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
604,965 views 386 replies | Pinned
Reply #76 from WinCustomize Forums Top
conejita,

Let's start with identifying what type of file you are ending up with after download, and which file you are downloading.

If you can't see the file extension - open "My Documents" and go to "Tools>Folder Options>View tab" and deselect the "Hide extensions for known file types" option, then click "Apply".

Post the information back here - including file name with extension, and we will go from there.

Also, if you want to leave the name of the program or file you are downloading, and I will be happy to try downloading to my machine to see what I end up with.
Reply #77 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Krisik and Adam,

I am not a DesktopX expert by any means.

I know that all DX parts of a theme are objects, and should be treated as such.

You might try loading the theme, and then saving a copy of it, then load the copy to insure you are modifying the copy. You should be able to bring up the object's properties, and modify the text in tabs and/or modify the program links by changing the path target. You should also be able to modify the images of say icon objects if you want.

I am not currently running version 3, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will stop by to help.

Sorry I could not be of more assistance.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #79 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Umm i have a question, i have objectdock and i have downloaded a couple animation docklets i would like to put on it, but i dont know how to put them on my object dock bar
Reply #80 from WinCustomize Forums Top
conejita,

I will send an e-mail tomorrow to make contact - I use Outlook.

For the moment, if you are still receiving an invalid Win32 app message, you may have a corrupted install. The first thing to do, would be to uninstall, then do a search for "Bootskin.exe" files and delete any found.

Reboot the machine, and download a fresh copy of the installer file from this site.

Try to install again.

Will contact tomorrow.
Reply #81 from WinCustomize Forums Top
russiannigro,

Normally, you would download the animated docklets and place their folders in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Docklets" (where "C" is the letter drive).

Then right-click the dock, select "add", and the new animated docklets should be available in the lower half of the list.
Reply #82 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think I need to rename this thread "Corky's Corner"...
Reply #84 from WinCustomize Forums Top
okay i cant see none of the skins or anything ...wallpapers..nada..only way i can see what i have is when i downloaded
Reply #85 from WinCustomize Forums Top
9thWond3r,

Are you talking about images on this site?

What browser are you using? Have you cleared your cookies lately?

Have you been able to view images in the past on this site?

Have you installed any software, updated anything, or changed any settings lately?
Reply #86 from WinCustomize Forums Top
9thWondr3r .... do you use Zone Alarm? I believe it has caused others the same problem.

Just spotted this thread.... it should help if you use ZA... https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=70&AID=70598

Reply #87 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm still pretty new to WindowBlinds and have a question:

When I install a new skin and I want to change the fonts on it, how
would I go about this? The reason I ask, is anything I change,
reverts back to the original skin's defaults after I set it to what I
want and apply changes.

The same goes for the backgrounds of windows. It's hard to explain
and I'll send screenshots if you need them, but I like to change the
backgrounds of my windows from the default (white) to something else,
(ie.. grey, brown, etc). When I change them however, I also run into
the same problem, where it reverts back to the skin's defaults.

Am I doing something wrong? I'm using WB 4.5 if that helps.

-Dave
Reply #88 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hello guys!

I need help please.
I downloadet some skins etc. the files downlaoded succesfully.
They downloaded in a .rar file. But when i extract it, i cant open it then the intaller programms (.dxpack) what program is that? please guys help me

Please

Thank you
Reply #89 from WinCustomize Forums Top
JeRrYFaR... you can override fonts in WindowBlinds Configuration > User Overrides > Font Overrides. But the best way is to open the skin(s) in SkinStudio, and make your changes for fonts, and background color. Marijan... dxpack is for DesktopX.
Reply #91 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alright so i have a question, yes i am a noobe, and umm when i try to open objectdock it comes up with an error saying a file is missing or something and dosent run correctly, it takes away my bar on the bottom of my screen that has the quick launch and thing on it and it just freeks out not showing anything but and invisible half bar when i move my mouse over it.

If someone could help me that would be nice plzzzzzzzz lol
Reply #93 from WinCustomize Forums Top
russiannigro,

Are you saying the Taskbar is disappearing?

This may be an explorer shell issue, I can't say without seeing what the error message is.

As far as ObjectDock goes, if you are running a systray dock or some docklets, they may be looking for the file required to perform a task and not seeing it.

Your best bet might be to uninstall – reinstall the program as follows:

Save your theme first.

Then create a temporary folder in say "My Documents" to save any themes, images, backgrounds, and docklets that were not part of the default installation - and copy those items (or folders) to the temporary folder.

Then uninstall, reboot, clear the cache (if you are not sure how to do this, see my comment #7 earlier in this post), and also delete any ObjectDock folder found in “C:\Program Files\Stardock” folder (or “C:\Program Files\Object Desktop\Stardock” folder if you have Object Desktop) – where “C” is the letter drive.

Reinstall the program, and play around with the default theme for a bit to insure the program installed cleanly.

If all is well, copy your saved files back to their relevant locations in the ObjectDock folder mentioned above.

I am recommending this based on your stating the error message indicated a missing file. This procedure should at least rule out ObjectDock as being the program with a missing file.

Note – if the missing file referred to a system file, or a file from another program; that would be another story. If you receive the same error message after this procedure, make sure to write it down and then post it here and someone is bound to have some good advice.

I hope this helps.
Reply #96 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can I change the picture on the start button or change the words? I don't want a whole new taskbar, just the image and wurds on the start button.
Reply #97 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have some errors on my windowsblinds.. my right-click menu and the menus on windows like file edit view favorites won't get skinned, I am unsure why but I can't find the problem.

I tried un-install reboot re-install and it didn't work. I tried clearing the cache, but I have not found the cache windowblinds folder... so I don't know what else to do.

So anyone, please help me? You can just drop me a line at [email protected].

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Norman.
Reply #98 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Keith Kelly,

Not without a third party program to apply the changes, a graphic editing program to create the graphics (or a friend to who can create the graphics), and if you use WindowBlinds to apply the changes - you will need SkinStudio to create the skin (yes, it would still be considered a skin even if only changing the Start button image and text.

I have never used TweakUI, so I do not know whether this XP Power Toy would allow you to change just the button.
Reply #99 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can I change the picture on the start button or change the words? I don't want a whole new taskbar, just the image and wurds on the start button.

http://raheel.yi.org/skinner.php