Koasati Koasati

Tips for new users!

▼

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
605,015 views 386 replies | Pinned
Reply #176 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So this is the customizing busines,,,its cool and all but i seem to have found something i cant get through my own,, its stupid really,,

ive got cursor xp but some of the cursors ive dloaded dont have the .cursorxp format,,, they are either in .curzip or jus .cur, wich is the normal xp format for a cursor i would gues,,,,,

-concerning the .curzip: is there a program that changes the extensions?

-concerning the .cur: these are sort of cursor screen shots,,, like the normal ones located in the C:/windows/cursors folder,,,, but how can i get these new hot cursors into the cursorxp app?

im sory if this problem has allready been issued and solved,,, but im kindof in a hurry >_<
thx,,

Ebichuhamstercantfigureoutthecursorthignys....
Reply #177 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ebichuhamster.... you can't use standard cursors with CursorXP. Standard cursors don't support alpha transparency, which is what makes CXP special.

Don't really know what curzip is....

Siege of Centauri
Reply #178 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ebichuhamster,

Not sure what is going on there.

Have you tried the following:

(1) changing the file extension to ".CurXPTheme" and moving the file to "C:\Program Files\CursorXP\Themes" (where "C" is the letter drive), then start Cursor XP > clear any check marks in the "Disable All" box at the bottom of the CursorXP tab > select the theme from the drop down list > click "Apply".

- or -

(2) change the file extension to ".zip" > extract files > see if there are ".png" files or ".cur" files.

If I am not mistaken, the file types inside a Cursor XP Theme file should be ".png", though I may be wrong.

If the extracted files are all ".cur" files, you could place them in "C:\WINDOWS\Cursors" folder, then go to Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Mouse > Pointers tab > Highlight the pointer you want to modify > Browse button > select the cursor pointer you want > click "Open" > click "Apply".

Repeat for each cursor (obviously this is a time consuming process).

Not sure what else to offer here.
Reply #179 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hey hey i jus wanted to say i have been using windowblinds fer like 2 years now with no problems (thankfully yet)and i jus wanted to say you guys are awesome as hell with helping people out i have jus gone through almost all 5 pages of this thread and you all have helped each other out very nicely and have made alot of people happy (hats off to you) and if i ever have a problem i fer sure know where to go!!!

wicked job dudes and dudettes

oh yeah STARDOCK ROX

peas cityboy
Reply #180 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey everyone,

Been a while since I posted. Many of my problems have either sorted themselves out or been taken care of but I have a couple of funky issues that have cropped up. Maybe someone can give me a hand (usually Corky saves the day)

1. Minor Annoyance category: On my desktop (DesktopX "Office 1024") all my icons in the Systray appear but one - WindowBlinds. It is there, as if I scroll too far and click again or right click, it opens or I get the menu. But the icon does not show. Now, as near as I can tell, of the items that load into the tray, WB is the first to load. As I boot the screen appears w/the current skinning prior to other objects, etc. loading. So it is the first icon in line.

2. Major Problem category: on the current desktop, none of the scripts to call a web or search page run. They all result in a script error (line 7 object not found?)Now....many of these links just now ran with the browser open first...is this expected behavior? Makes no sense to have the searches available on the desktop when I can have them available in the browser that is already running.

What say ye, oh wise ones?

Thanks!
Charms55
Reply #181 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Charms55,

I may be of limited help on this one, because I do not run DesktopX due to incompatibility with my system (probably my older Norton Internet Security 2003).

If the problems only exist when DesktopX is loaded (number 2 does sound like it would have to be), then you may need to go into that theme and set them for your system. The theme was created by someone on their computer, which may have a different internet access setting, or may have gone through a router and yours does not, or vice-versa.

Again, these are just some basic concepts to check. If the search objects work consistently after you open your browser and create an open port, then your best fix may be to do just that each time.

For the WB system tray icon, you could try the following to work around it:

- Right-click the taskbar > Properties > Notification area > Customize button > Highlight WindowBlinds in the Current list > select "Always Show" from the drop-down list that appears > click "Apply".

This may over-ride the rogue program or script that is making it invisible.

Note - I had some issues with system tray icons not showing up each time I powered up the computer, and was able to solve this by starting Stardock Central, then going to "Tools > Settings > deselecting both options that enabled the "MCP" functions. Beware - this is an option only if you run themes that do not require the Stardock MCP (such as ObjectDock System tray functions) to be running. DesktopX may well need this to be running as well, so if you try it and things get even stranger - re-enable the functions.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge about DesktopX will drop by.
Reply #182 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Stardock MCP............. DesktopX may well need this to be running as well, so if you try it and things get even stranger - re-enable the functions.

I'm pretty sure all Stardock apps need MCP for systray support.

Reply #185 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky,

Thanks. No go on the icon issue. As I said, that is merely a minor annoyance. Concerning the search functions it seems clear I must have the browser open, so again, no real issue.

Later,
charms55
Reply #186 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok. Now I am just plain 'oll stupid but anyway - HOW can I setup ObjectDock's tabbed dock to be vertical, that is that tabs are reading upside down. No matter what I click or push the tabs are correctly shown only horizontally-if i select a drawer left of right the tabs are cut off and the tab is still horizontally shown. what should I do?????

BLAAAH!!!....I AM stupid.I just figured out!
Tnx anyway!
Reply #187 from WinCustomize Forums Top
SUJO,

To create a vertical tabbed dock, right-click a tab > view > clear any check mark by "Lock Dock Position" - then just drag a dock edge vertically to the height you want, and drag an edge horizontally to make the dock one icon wide.

To arrange tabs, open "Dock Settings" dialog, go to "Size & Appearance" category and you will see Tab Position and Tab Alignment drop-down boxes - just make your selections.

Save your theme when complete.

Note - once a dock is attached to a screen edge and set as a "Drawer", the tab position will be determined by the screen edge alignment and the "Tab Position" list will be greyed out.

I hope this helps.
Reply #188 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm totally new to this, but this looks fascinating.

I just have a few problems. My taskbar is visible, unless i check the autohide.
Also if I press win+d (desktop) button, it clears my (whatever it is) that I dl:d from here. Also, the weather doesn't work in finland

btw i'm using desktopx 3 pro.
Reply #189 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok i did what everyone had said and it still wont open. i am trying to put a cursor, desktop theme, and a boot skin immage on my comp and they all dont work. they have the correct .name and so it said it couldnt open it and it showed a list of programs i could use to open it or i could use the internet to search for one. i searched and it went to sum filext which didnt help. i down loaded a picture for my backround and that worked just fine. its on my backround right now. it looks so cool. well im trying to install a star wars cursor, darkzone2 theme, and forst night bootskin. plz help me!!!!!!!!
Reply #190 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Moosonee.... Open the DesktopX Builder Settings dialog > Desktop tab > check the "Hide Windows taskbar" checkbox.

About the win+D problem.......

"Show Desktop" does not minimize anything. What really happens is a full screen, borderless, explorer window, opens on top of everything.

You can use.

Winkey + M to minimize all
Winkey + shift + M to restore all

Or

Copy and paste the following into a text file and save it as ShowDesktop.vbs. Then create a new shortcut linked to this file.

Set Shell = CreateObject ("Shell.Application")
Shell.MinimizeAll
Set Shell = Nothing

and

Copy and paste the following into a text file and save it as RestoreAll.vbs. Then create a new shortcut linked to this file.

Set Shell = CreateObject ("Shell.Application")
Shell.UndoMinimizeAll
Set Shell = Nothing

Angel of D34th.... have you downloaded, and installed the software for the skins you want to use? (I'm thinking not ) For CursorXP cursors, you need the CursorXP software. For BootSkins, you need the BootSkin program (doesn't work will some motherboards). Desktop theme..... I'm assuming you mean DesktopX, and you'll need the DesktopX software. Click the Software tab at the top of the page.

Reply #191 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hi,

I have a problem, i installed a Mac OSx Skin on my pc and everything looks cool but 1 thing: the scrollbar is still like XP end not the nice blue one of the mac....help...
Reply #192 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jeeez.... Scrollbars, and few other things, aren't skinned with the trial version of WindowBlinds.
Reply #193 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hey i would like to know how to insert a suite download so i can use it on my computer?, can any one tell me how to do this?
Reply #194 from WinCustomize Forums Top
biggino,

If you have downloaded a suite (".suite" file type) from the suites library, then you will need the Theme Manager program Link

Install Theme Manager, then you can either double-click the ".suite" file to install, or place it in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Theme Manager\Themes" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

Note - you will also need all the individual customization programs to apply the different components (i.e., WindowBlinds, Icon Packager, CursorXP, etc.). Theme Manager should offer to download the programs for you during the application process - or you can use the links on the Theme Manager download page (see link). There are both shareware and full versions of the more advanced programs, and free versions of the others.

I hope this helped.
Reply #195 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi
When i use logonstudio the intended logon doesn't appear when i reboot.
The files i use is .logonxp, and i load them with logonstudio.
the program doesn't come up with any erros or anything, but i still get normal logon screen.
Why?
Reply #196 from WinCustomize Forums Top
GeeZzZz,

A couple questions:

1 - do you have administrative privilidges on your account.
2 - are you selecting the logon, then clicking "Apply" to activate that Logon?
3 - are you placing the Logon theme folder into "C:\Program Files\WinCustomize\LogonStudio" folder (where "C" is the letter drive)?

Answering these may help narrow down the issue, and make it easier for someone to help.

Normally, you would download a Logon theme, unzip as necessary, place the folder that contains the image and configuration file in "C:\Program Files\WinCustomize\LogonStudio" - then start Logon Studio > select the Logon you want > click "Apply".

The applied theme should remain until you use LogonStudio to change it to another one, or return to the default Windows XP.

You will need to have administrative privilidges to apply the Logon.
Reply #197 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky O

I'm an administrative on this computer, so yes. I'm applying the logon with logonXP with the Apply button (and exiting with okay after ). And the path is correct. I got a folder in the "\Logonstudio" with all the files for the 'skin' in, and i got the .logonxp file. I've tried a couple of different things, but none seems to work.

wondered if the Ctrl+alt+del could couse the trouble? or if i got multiple logon choises (like "this computer" and a connection to another network (via the internet))
Reply #198 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would say that the multiple logon choices, or a classic logon dialog would create a problem.

I do know that LogonStudio will not work on a domain, and if you are using the classic Logon with Ctrl+Alt+Del, instead of the Welcome screen - I would expect that to be the problem.

You could test it by enabling the Welcome screen and disabling the logon connection for the other network.

If LogonStudio works, that is the issue.

Note - you could try just enabling the Welcome screen if that is compatible with the other network and try out LogonStudio.

Other than that, I am out of ideas. Hopefully someone more experienced with LogonStudio will drop by.
Reply #199 from WinCustomize Forums Top
disabling the ctrl+alt+del doesn't work. welcome screen? is that just the login screen? or is it something else?(and where do i enable it?). would i eventually have to remove the other logon-connections to make it work? (not sure i fully understanded you..)
Reply #200 from WinCustomize Forums Top
GeeZzZz,

Sorry.

The Welcome screen is the Windows XP logon screen (Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the way users log on and off > Use the Welcome screen > Apply options button).

If the Welcome screen option is deselected, you end up with what is called the "Classic Logon", which has the small "Ctrl+Alt+Del" dialog box, (or the small User name and Password dialog if you require a password to logon) - this was used in earlier versions of Windows.

You could try this: enable both "Use the Welcome screen" and "Fast user switching" - found in (Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the way users log on and off), then start LogonStudio, select a Logon theme and click "Apply" - you should now be looking at the Logon screen with your chosen theme displaying. If not, then I suspect the logon for the outside network.

If the computer is part of a domain, the Welcome screen is not supported, and to the best of my knowledge - LogonStudio will not work.

You could try removing all network logon options, and test LogonStudio for functionality.

The only other ideas I have would be:

1 - Try uninstalling > reboot > delete LogonStudio directory > reinstall LogonStudio (with only local logon accounts on machine).

2 - Post a new thread in the support section with title of "LogonStudio help needed" or similar. The LogonStudio guru's may not check this thread.

Note - if you reinstall, you should get a message saying "Logonstudio is no more registered as Logon screen editor. Do you want to register it? (the words shown are exactly as displayed in message) - just click "Yes" and you should be working in LogonStudio.

I apologize for not being of more help.