Problems installing your skins/themes etc.? Try here first for solutions to common problems.

A thread project for helping new users get past some common problems which have arisen in other forum posts.

By Skarnivorous Posted February 21, 2005 01:08:34

I have started this help thread on common problems encountered by new users

The problem you are having getting your skin/theme/package may be a common one, and the solution could be here! Check in the relevant section to see if it is. If you wish to contribute a solution to a common problem, please be as clear about the process or mention the 'common problem' clearly as a heading or FAQ style question. It will then be added to this first post.

The problems/questions are categorized by application name.
Please select the program you are trying to install a download for:

HOW TO RENAME FILE EXTENSIONS - how to change file extensions and what they are
DESKTOPX - objects', 'themes', 'gadgets' and 'widgets'.
WINDOWFX - shadows and 'transitions'
WINDOWBLINDS - skins for windows, taskbar, and general windows GUI
OBJECTDOCK - you can download 'backgrounds', new 'icons' (images), and 'docklets'
BOOTSKIN - 'bootskins' appear during the windows loading process.

HOW TO RENAME FILE EXTENSIONS

Your help mentions renaming file extensions...but I don't see any on my files? How do I do it?

Some of the below solutions to common problems involve renaming a file extension from one type to another. A file extension is the 3 letter code on the end of filename that tells the computer what type of file it is e.g. For the file: "hello.txt" .txt is the file extension for "text files", and for "example.zip" .zip is the file extension for "compressed zip files".

Windows may be hiding your file extensions so they are not visible i.e. "hello.txt" is shown as just "hello" and "example.zip" is shown as just "example".

To rename a file from one extension to another (i.e. change the last three letters) you need to first unhide the showing of file extensions.
Under Windows XP Home and Pro:

Go to Control Panel.
Select Appearances and Themes.
Select Folder Options.
A window appears with a number of tabs on it.
Select the View tab.
In the list of options that appears, find the "Hide extensions of known file types" and uncheck the box.

Open Windows Explorer application
Go to the Tools menu
Select Folder options
A window appears with a number of tabs on it.
Select the View tab.
In the list of options that appears, find the "Hide extensions of known file types" and uncheck the box.

File extensions should now show up on files. You can now rename a file in the normal way and you will also be able to change the last three letters after the '.' (dot) of any file.

DESKTOPX - involves a variety of things, including 'objects', 'themes', 'gadgets' and 'widgets'.

After downloading a theme, or object, where do I put the zip file contents?

First, just open the zip file to see whether the inside of the zip file contains .dxpack or .dxtheme files. If it does, unzip them and go to the next help F.A.Q question. If it contains a bunch of files (images, textfiles, etc.) then proceed as follows.

There is a bug with internet explorer in particular which is resulting in themes/objects being downloaded as .zip files. The themes/objects are indeed standard zip packages, but the .zip extension needs to be renamed before DESKTOPX will recognise the package.

Don't unzip the file
If the file is meant to be a DesktopX theme, rename the file extension from .zip to .dxtheme
e.g. 7spheres.zip would be renamed to 7spheres.dxtheme
If the file is a meant to be a DesktopX object, rename the file extension from .zip to .dxpack
e.g. crosshair2.zip would be renamed to crosshair2.dxpack
You need to have DesktopX installed to use the theme/object
Double click the theme/object file (after renaming) and DesktopX will initiate it's automatic loading.
- If it is a theme, you will be asked if you wish to save current theme
- If it is an object, the object will be created in your current desktopX theme.

I've download a desktopX object/theme with the extension .dxpack/.dxtheme. How do I install the theme/object?

Your downloaded .dxpack or .dxtheme file(s) should have a desktopX icon. This means you can simply double click on your download theme/object and it will automatically be installed by DesktopX.

If this doesn't happen, it may mean you have not installed DesktopX yet, or your DesktopX installation is having an error. You might like to try reinstalling DesktopX.

I've download a Gadget/Widget. How do I install/run it?

Gadgets and Widgets are executable programs (they have a .exe extensions). If the file you downloaded was a zip file (.zip). Unzip the contents to a folder. Inside the zip file should have been some executable file(s). That file is the widget or gadget. To run it, simple double click it like you would any other program.

WINDOWFX - performs special effects, has user support for shadows and 'transitions'

I have downloaded a transition zip file. Where do I need to unzip the scripts to?

Transitions consist of two files normally. A .tra file and a .ttt file. These are normal text format files with changed extensions.
The two files are usually zipped together and uploaded to Wincustomize.
To install a transition:

unzip the two script files into the windowFX 'SCRIPTS' folder.
This folders default location is:
c:\program files\stardock\object desktop\windowfx\scripts\
open up the windowFX control panel by double clicking the windowfx icon in the system tray, or by running the program from it's shortcut again after loading
Go to the transitions section of the WindowFX control panel and select to turn transitions on. In the drop down boxes should be the names of your newly installed transition.

I have downloaded a Windowfx Shadow zip file. Where do I unzip it to?

Shadows for windowfx consist of some bitmaps and a definition file compressed into a zip file. They need to be unzipped into their own folder and copied into the windowFX install directory.

Unzip the shadow zip file to it's own folder.
Rename the folder to a name similar to the shadow (though it's purely up to you) for e.g. you could unzip glass.zip to a folder named Glass
Copy/Move the folder into the WindowFX install directory.
The default location is:
c:\program files\stardock\object desktop\windowfx\scripts\
Go to the shadows section of the WindowFX control panel. Your newly added shadow's name should appear in the drop down list.

WINDOWBLINDS - skins windows, taskbar, and general windows GUI

After downloading a windowblind skin (.wba file) how do I install it?

If you have installed windowblinds the .wba file (e.g. GantOS.wba) will have a windowblinds icon. Simply double click the file and windowblinds will automatically install the skin. You may then be notified by a popup bubble that the skin is installed, and asks if you would like to apply it now.

After this install the skin can be applied through the normal windowblinds control panels.

After downloading a windowblind (.zip file) where do I put the zip file contents?

There is a bug with internet explorer in particular which is resulting in windowblinds being downloaded as .zip files. The windowblinds are indeed standard zip packages, but the .zip extension needs to be renamed before WINDOWBLINDS will recognise the package.

Don't unzip the file
The file is meant to be a windowblind, so rename the file extension from .zip to .wba
e.g. GantOS.zip would be renamed to GantOS.wba
You need to have Windowblinds installed to use the skin
Double click the windowblind file (after renaming) and Windowblinds will initiate it's automatic loading.
The skin if successful, will now be installed, and can be applied in the usual way through windowblinds control panel.

OBJECTDOCK - you can download 'backgrounds', new 'icons' (images), and 'docklets'

I've downloaded a background/icon/docklet for ObjectDock, but where do I put the zip contents?

ObjectDock downloads are usually zipped. The zip file needs to be unzipped to a directory in the Object Dock installation folder. The directory unzipped to depends on the type of ObjectDock download you have.

Backgrounds are the graphic which is used for the object dock display area:

Unzip the Background file(s) to their own directory.
Move/Copy the directory into the BACKGROUNDS folder of your Object Dock installation
The Backgrounds folder's default location is:
c:\program files\stardock\objectdock\backgrounds\
For example: You download grass.zip background. You unzip it to a folder called grass. You then move that folder to the backgrounds folder at: c:\program files\stardock\objectdock\backgrounds\. The background is now installed.
You can select the background from the ObjectDock right-click menu >> Object Dock Properties >> Appearance Tab.

Icons are used as the graphic display for the links on the objectbar itself.

Unzip the zips contents to the following directory (or the equivalent directory for your object dock install location)
The IMAGES folder, default location is:
c:\program files\stardock\objectdock\images\
If the IMAGES folder doesn't exist. You might like to create it.
The image is now available to be used as an icon image for a Objectdock shortcut.
- for example: right click your object dock bar and select, Create a New Shortcut
- A new question mark icon will appear on your objectbar
- Right click the new icon and select Dock Entry Properties from the menu
- You will see the settings of the Object you can change. One of them is a Change Image button. Push it
- You will now see a window showing some selections on the left. One of them is to show the images in the IMAGES folder.
- Select the IMAGES folder and you will see all the icons and graphics (including the one you just downloaded/unzipped) listed
- You can now select the image for your shortcut.
- Change any of the other settings to match where the shortcut should point.
- For more help, see ObjectDock help files, or the forums.

Docklets are mini applications that run in the Objectdock bar. Do allow the docklet to be accessible you need to unzip the downloads contents into it's own directory in the ObjectDock's install folder.

Unzip the contents of your downloaded zip file to it's own folder.
Give the folder a name that represents the name of the docklet.
Move/Copy the directory into the DOCKLETS folder of your Object Dock installation
The Docklets folder's default location is:
c:\program files\stardock\objectdock\docklets\
The Docklet will now appear in the ObjectDocks right click menu >> add >> bottom of the menu is the docklet lists

BOOTSKIN - 'bootskins' appear during the windows loading process.

After downloading a bootskin (.zip) where do I put the zip file contents?

First, just open the zip file to see whether the inside of the zip file contains .bootskin files. If it does, unzip them and go to the next help F.A.Q question. If it contains a bunch of files (images, textfiles, etc.) then proceed as follows.

There is a bug with internet explorer in particular which is resulting in bootskins being downloaded as .zip files. The bootskins are indeed standard zip packages, but the .zip extension needs to be renamed before BOOTSKIN will recognise the package.

Don't unzip the file
Rename the file extension from .zip to .bootskin
e.g. 7spheres.zip would be renamed to 7spheres.bootskin
You need to have Bootskin installed
Double click the bootskin file (after renaming) and Bootskin will initiate it's automatic loading.
start up the Bootskin control panel and hopefully the new bootskin will appear in the list.

After downloading a bootskin (.bootskin) how do I install it?

If you have Bootskin program installed, you should be able to simply double click the .bootskin file and Bootskin will automatically install it for you.
If this doesn't occur, you might not have Bootskin installed, or there is a problem with the installation. Maybe try reinstalling the Bootskin program.

I've just tried covering a few of the common issues I've seen pop up in forums. Please feel free to contribute more F.A.Q style questions and solutions or solutions to common problems. Your post may be edited though for clarity or rephrased into the first post of this thread.

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Great article Skarn. Glad to see this got "stickied".

theres an alternate way to install logons onto your machine, so that logon studio recognises them in its list of available logons (incase Logon Studios Load feature fails, like it does on my machine).

Using Winzip, you can open up the .logonxp files (File > Open), then extract them to a new directory (make one up that matches the logon name, for example) to where your logons are (to see where that is, open Logon Studio, and go to Options, then see the Logons Path. usually its :\Program Files\Wincustomize\LogonStudio).
Make sure to UNtick the checkbox that says to "Use folder names", otherwise there could possibly be additional directories under the one you make.

I dare say that the reason why i cant load (or export, for that matter) logons is that ive installed logon studio in a drive other than C drive.. my GF is able to load logons, and logon studios installed in the default installation directory..
or maybe i just need to reinstall Logon Studio..

On Firefox with Window Blinds , clicking open instead of save as will install the skin automatically.

On IE with Windowblinds , on the save as dialog , select all files instead of compressed ones and add .wba to the end. Now press save , and then open. Tada , no double clicking to install a file

I've renamed the file from .zip to .wba but it's still not working

My problem :
"The icons for Windows XP classic start menu connot be changed, this is a currently limitation within the opérating system"
How can i resolve this problem ? Did somoeone have this same problem ?
PPlease help me !!!
Ben

this is os limitation ... nothin to do @ SD's account

try contacting MICROSOFT

Hey, I need some help, when I install bootskin and change a booting screen, after I reboot, the screen comes up that says "restart to last known configuration that worked" and I never see the new bootskin. That happens with all the bootskins. Anyone know what's wrong? Thanks.

what about theme manager? when i am trying to apply a new suite for my computer it applies it and nothing is changing, can anyone help?

no srry i dont know whats wrong i got the same problem i see my new bootskin for
like 4 or 5 sec and then i get that blue screen of death and the pc reboots.
So i even cant get into windows, therefore i have to go to save-mode and replace
the default skin and my pc is back 2 normal and every thing is fine.
Does annyone know how to prevend this, to help us out?
manny thanks

i have an issue with windows media player. every wmp skin i download does let me apply to windows media player but when i come back to start up wmp again, wmp is set back to its default skin. what could be the reason for it not to stay in any of the skins i download from here. i don't think i'm doing anything wrong. i unzip the file and extract it to c:\program files\windows media player\skins. i just don't understand why. can you help? thx!!!

how to put new themes to sursorXP plus, when i download it it come in a zip folder... and how to add this theme to cursorXP plizzzzz help

Ok. last night I was working in logon studio or whatever its called, and i made a skin, and i hit apply. 45 min. later, it wasnt done, and my mom turned it off....,So i restarted it, and instead of getting my default blue welcome screen, i get a black screen with a windows xp box that asks me for my username. i enter it and hit ok. it goes to my profile. so i check the control panel, and it is still set to boot the welcome screen, and my MSGINA.dll is working fine. then i go to log of, it freezes. i go to restart, and i get the messagge that says:

LogonUI has encountered a problem and needs to close? HOW DO I FIX MY BOOT SCREEN PROBLEM?

I had this problem before too with the Stick skin for Windows Media Player. But I think this fixed it: Go to Control Panle>Folder Options, select the View tab, and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. I did this and the downloaded WMP skin files now auto-install. Hope this response wasn't too late.

I learned this from the Tips for New Users thread in the General section a few days ago.

i extracted the wmp skin, it looks like everything is working but when i go to skin chooser and click it nothing happens at all

Hey Malimatija, I was having the same prob with XPCursor but seem to have solved it! Heres how:
First got to: C:\Program Files\CursorXP\Themes .Then click on the 'Tools' tab - 'Folder Options' - 'View' tab Now UNCHECK 'Hide file extensions for know file types'.
Once you've done this download the Cursor theme you want but DON'T open it.
Instead save it to C:\Program Files\CursorXP\Themes. If it downloads as a 'Zip' file DON'T open it simply change the extension from .zip to .CurXPTheme
At this point you should see the folder icon change. So close all your open windows go to control panel - Mouse - Cursor XP . Voila' your new theme should be in the drop down menu.
Hope this helps, Let me know how u get on.

what about theme manager? when i am trying to apply a new suite for my computer it applies it and nothing is changing, can anyone help?

Welcome and thank you for register me

I'm having a hard time installing new themes for Objectdock. I've extracted all the files into a folder in the Objectdock directory like it says, but when I try to select a new theme, only the 'default' is on the list. Any ideas?

Didn't know where else to ask this question, so I'm asking it in this thread!

My question is in regards to CursorXP. I have lots of custom cursors that I used before installing CursorXP. Is there a way I can still use them without importing them into CursorXP thus doubling up on them and using unnecessary HDD space? As it is now, clicking on the "Cursor" tab in the mouse properties and selecting one of my old cursor sets, I can't get them to load.

THANKS!

Hey I got a problem with the bootscreens, every time I apply a bootscreen and I reboot my com to check if it works the colors aren't right. The picture that is displayed is correct but the colors don't anyone has a solution for this?

I got a problem with bootskins... Ok every time I reboot to see if the skin installs it does I see it for 20 seconds then I get Blue screen saying boot failed blah blah blah... so then the computer auto re boots it then tells me to chose an option Boot Normally, Boot in safe mode, Boot with setting that worked last... all those options I once tried normally it did it again so I did boot with settings that recently worked... then it goes back to the old deafault windows xp skin.. any one know how to fix this... O yea I have Windows Xp Home Edition

i got a problem with the progress bar animations.. everytime i download it (thunder storm).. it doesnt change anything... anyone know how it's done?

Is there a way I can still use them without importing them into CursorXP thus doubling up on them and using unnecessary HDD space?

check 'disable all' first in cursorxp - then use the 'cursor' in mouse properties.

Hope he wasn't in a hurry.