An alternative way of doing Boot Screens

Thursday, October 9, 2003 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News

So people obviously want boot screens. But there's a big problem with the way boot screens are currently being (ahem) "skinned":


Everyone of them we've seen so far does it one of two ways:


Either:


A) They actually distribute the Windows XP kernel. In fact, this is what most of those boot screens being distributed are. Inside the ZIP they contain the actual kernel for both XP release and SP1. Not only is this pretty flagrantly in violation of who knows what but it also causes the file to be much bigger. Here's a hint, if the boot screen is roughly 2.2 megs, or higher in a ZIP file it's probably got the XP kernel in it.


or


They contain just the images (good) but then patch the kernel on your computer (bad). What happens when SP2 comes out and the machine fails a kernel CRC? The better boot patchers save a copy of the kernel (good). But that's still a bit much for the average joe.


But if boot screen replacing is as popular as the polls seem to indicate, there needs to be a safer, more robust system.


So we talked to people we know at Microsoft about an idea we had. What if we could do it without touching the kernel? In fact, what if we could do it without touching the kernel and then add support for animated boot screens? High color boot screens? All without having to hack the system?


We've figured out a way and hopefully will have a freeware version available (beta at first) that will take us down the path as early as next week possibly.


Stardock's "Furan" is working on this now. Check out his blog here: http://ian.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=409

54 Reply 3 Referrals
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paxx
Reply #21 Friday, October 10, 2003 9:02 AM
Hehehe! My car looks exactly the same as when I bought it. So the computer/car analogy doesn't work for me. But I do spend A LOT more time on front on my computer than in my car.

MarkSnyder61
Reply #22 Friday, October 10, 2003 10:02 AM
I'm not a programmer so you'll have to make it simple and easy for us neophytes. I'm getting excited about this!!!

Deathkne11
Reply #23 Friday, October 10, 2003 10:35 AM
Stardock I have two very simple words for you....



THANK YOU.

Sugaree
Reply #24 Friday, October 10, 2003 10:35 AM
Ooo Looks like I ruffled a few feathers


CAClark
Reply #25 Friday, October 10, 2003 11:17 AM
True that a boot screen is not seen for very long, and at the end of the day, how the windows interface looks doesn't ACTUAlLLY matter, but by the same token, it doesn't matter of people like to change it. I run a pretty full mac clone, amongst other reasons because the layout works better for my tastes. I also find it easier on the eye. The same goes for the boot screen. I for one would use this app, because it's neat, simple as that. It won't change my life, but its just something to take away the hum drum of sitting at work in front of my PC all day.

Cheers!

Banjo4321
Reply #26 Friday, October 10, 2003 11:18 AM
if you want boot screens, just go to www.themexp.org

Frogboy
Reply #27 Friday, October 10, 2003 1:03 PM
Yes but the boot screens at ThemeXP are NT kernels. Open them up and what do you see? Two kernel files in there. It never ceases to amaze me that people who would never click on an email attachment will literally go and download a replacement kernel and apply it.

messybuu
Reply #28 Friday, October 10, 2003 1:27 PM
I do wonder why boot screens are so popular since they are rarely ever seen and look so ugly, but if Stardock can actually make them have higher resolutions and color, then maybe I'll restart a bit more.

Vanilla Ice
Reply #29 Friday, October 10, 2003 1:50 PM
i use boot screens, just replacement kernels (applied myself with boot.ini, not some crappy program), but i have no worries of getting a virus or anything. first, i don't think there's been one case of a virus being put in a bootscreen on one of those sites, and second any file you download could be a virus... someone could just as easily make a virus screensaver or anything else you may have used.


but anyways, this sounds cool. i was just thinking 5 minutes ago when i turned on my comp how it sucks that the xp boot screens can't have any animation other than the progress bar-thingy. so this'll be nice.

Banjo4321
Reply #30 Friday, October 10, 2003 2:40 PM
you have the same chance of getting a virus from any other download on this site, frogboy..........use www.themexp.org

paxx
Reply #31 Friday, October 10, 2003 2:45 PM
Hum... So in which of these two situations do I get more chances of getting a virus or a corrupt file that would screw up my system:1) If I just download an image with an INI file.2) If I download somebody else's Windows kernel, or any other core system file?

wombatDK
Reply #32 Friday, October 10, 2003 2:52 PM
Cool thing that. Looking forward to that app, although I prolly won't use it much (as someone already said - I don't see my boot screen too often, maybe once a week or so)

sig101
Reply #33 Friday, October 10, 2003 3:12 PM
As paxx notes, there's a difference in potential threat/problems between an executable file and a graphic file. That's why WC doesn't want .exes in uploaded skins (the issue has been discussed before) and it also "certifies" DX scripts that are available for download. So it's not really true that one has the same chance of getting a virus or some other problem from any download on this site compared to executable files from other sources.

I wonder how many people will be saying "just use themexp.org" if SD puts out a free bootscreen app that provides far more functionality and better looking bootscreens than the current hacked .exes?

BoddhiC
Reply #34 Friday, October 10, 2003 3:14 PM
Cool, I'll definately try it our when it's availablle

SelfExiled
Reply #35 Friday, October 10, 2003 4:02 PM
It sounds great, can't wait. High resolution too. Wow, Wincustomize will rock. That is, if it works and is stable. Good Luck. Look forward to seeing it.

Big Doug
Reply #36 Friday, October 10, 2003 4:35 PM
Banjo...The competitor's programs hack system files. Not good. Boot Screens can (and WILL) corrupt your system. Read the fine print concerning the popular bootscreen changer they have themes for. Those themes distribute a modified NTOSKRNL.exe. There is nothing (NOTHING) to prevent a malicious individualfrom inserting ANYTHING from a trojan, keylogger, and on up to MSBlaster.W32 and having it run at boot time...with NOTHING to stop it. Antivirus programs don't kick in until after the boot.ini is loaded. So running a hacked NTOSKRNL is BAD. This new way, the kernel is still protected, and your system is still pretty much safe. And stardock's new SmartStartup program is also what makes this new way of doing bootscreens possible. It can load the new hooks almost immediately upon startup.

Good work fellas. Keep 'em coming.

alpha-prime
Reply #37 Friday, October 10, 2003 4:59 PM
Sounds great news, any chance that this technique can be applied to the shutdown screen as well? Fingers crossed

SoliD_NuTs
Reply #38 Friday, October 10, 2003 5:15 PM
ahh forget it im to lazy to read the comments

GhoS
Reply #39 Friday, October 10, 2003 5:29 PM
Even though I have been against this addition, I am willing to give it a look. I like Stardocks approach to it. Even though I hardly see the bootscreen, if a change to it can be made without affecting how the computer runs, well I'm all for it. Plus who says you have to use it.

toothsome
Reply #40 Friday, October 10, 2003 6:07 PM
nice but what is with composite desktop godess ??? D:
is this composite desktop godess? please please news news

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