How to create *.bootskin files?
Saturday, January 10, 2004 by DannyKII | Discussion: Stardock Software
Im noob and want to upload a bootskin, but i don't know how to create a *.bootskin file out of a folder. please help!
DannyKII
Reply #2 Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:02 AM
Reply #2 Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:02 AM
i realize, stupid question, of course i have! but i didnt see this. (i looked for this feature in skinstudio or somewhere else, but not there!!!) 
Keith Perry
Reply #3 Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:03 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:03 AM
[BootSkin]
Type=0
Name = "Your title here"
Author = "your name here"
Description = "anything you like here"
ProgressBar=name of your progress bar here.bmp
ProgressBarX = 250
ProgressBarY = 354
ProgressBarWidth = 132
Screen=the image here.bmp
copy and paste this on to your notepad and edit it the way you want it....
......note: If your not using a progress bar, just simply delete anything related to progress bar..
after you edit...click file/save as.. name it Bootskin.ini and [save file type] as All Files
...save this to a new folder(name it after your bootskin title) in the skins section along with the image/s you have selected on the bootskin.ini
[Message Edited]
Type=0
Name = "Your title here"
Author = "your name here"
Description = "anything you like here"
ProgressBar=name of your progress bar here.bmp
ProgressBarX = 250
ProgressBarY = 354
ProgressBarWidth = 132
Screen=the image here.bmp
copy and paste this on to your notepad and edit it the way you want it....
......note: If your not using a progress bar, just simply delete anything related to progress bar..
after you edit...click file/save as.. name it Bootskin.ini and [save file type] as All Files
...save this to a new folder(name it after your bootskin title) in the skins section along with the image/s you have selected on the bootskin.ini
[Message Edited]
DannyKII
Reply #4 Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:41 PM
Reply #4 Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:41 PM
i know! skins are ready for upload i just dind't know how to konvert. thanks anyway! 
skins are ready for upload i just dind't know how to konvert. thanks anyway! 
Koasati
Reply #6 Friday, October 1, 2004 2:48 AM
Reply #6 Friday, October 1, 2004 2:48 AM
koala... Open the BootSkin program > make your selection > go to File > Export selected skin to file...
KiLlAxKeV92288
Reply #7 Sunday, January 13, 2008 5:21 AM
Reply #7 Sunday, January 13, 2008 5:21 AM
that doesnt work.. we need to know how to make the .bootskin file ??
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #8 Sunday, January 13, 2008 7:28 AM
Reply #8 Sunday, January 13, 2008 7:28 AM
#6 is the correct procedure for making .bootskin files 
ArileenDesign
Reply #9 Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:12 AM
Reply #9 Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:12 AM
From Bootskin Tutorial
E. Compiling the Bootskin:
1. This is the less recommended way to compile a .bootskin, yet it is the fastest and up to now the most efficient for me. Go to the directory where your screen and progress images are, as well as your bootskin.ini and select them all. Using WinZip or any other zipper program zip the three files into one .zip file. After this just rename the .zip to .bootskin and double-click it. The .bootskin file will auto-install to your bootskin directory.
2. That’s all. Your bootskin is ready.
Note you can make the same to unzip the files: .bootskin to .zip (Recall: COPYRIGHTED STUFF)
E. Compiling the Bootskin:
1. This is the less recommended way to compile a .bootskin, yet it is the fastest and up to now the most efficient for me. Go to the directory where your screen and progress images are, as well as your bootskin.ini and select them all. Using WinZip or any other zipper program zip the three files into one .zip file. After this just rename the .zip to .bootskin and double-click it. The .bootskin file will auto-install to your bootskin directory.
2. That’s all. Your bootskin is ready.
Note you can make the same to unzip the files: .bootskin to .zip (Recall: COPYRIGHTED STUFF)
Cavan1
Reply #10 Sunday, January 13, 2008 9:01 AM
Why does it not work, if the folder your skin is in is in C:\Program Files\Stardock\WinCustomize\BootSkin\skins, it should be in the list of skins in Bootskin. If it is not you have an error somewhere. There are 3 errors that cause skin not to show in list
1) wrong size for screen image, must be 640x480
2) wrong color depth for screen image, must be 4bit 16 color bitmap (note: the progress bar must also be 4bit 16 color bitmap and have the same color palette as the screen image)
3) wrong name info for screen image in the .ini file
Reply #10 Sunday, January 13, 2008 9:01 AM
that doesnt work.. we need to know how to make the .bootskin file ??
Why does it not work, if the folder your skin is in is in C:\Program Files\Stardock\WinCustomize\BootSkin\skins, it should be in the list of skins in Bootskin. If it is not you have an error somewhere. There are 3 errors that cause skin not to show in list
1) wrong size for screen image, must be 640x480
2) wrong color depth for screen image, must be 4bit 16 color bitmap (note: the progress bar must also be 4bit 16 color bitmap and have the same color palette as the screen image)
3) wrong name info for screen image in the .ini file
KiLlAxKeV92288
Reply #11 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:58 AM
Why does it not work, if the folder your skin is in is in C:\Program Files\Stardock\WinCustomize\BootSkin\skins, it should be in the list of skins in Bootskin. If it is not you have an error somewhere. There are 3 errors that cause skin not to show in list
1) wrong size for screen image, must be 640x480
2) wrong color depth for screen image, must be 4bit 16 color bitmap (note: the progress bar must also be 4bit 16 color bitmap and have the same color palette as the screen image)
3) wrong name info for screen image in the .ini file
i found the right way to do it.. what you need to do is when u make ur skin folder in to a zip file.. what you do is right click, go to explore,click tools at the top then go to file options... when the file options open click the view tab then uncheck "hide extensions for unknown file" then after you apply it go to the zip file and change the .zip to .bootskin and it will chnag ethe file type
Reply #11 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:58 AM
that doesnt work.. we need to know how to make the .bootskin file ??
Why does it not work, if the folder your skin is in is in C:\Program Files\Stardock\WinCustomize\BootSkin\skins, it should be in the list of skins in Bootskin. If it is not you have an error somewhere. There are 3 errors that cause skin not to show in list
1) wrong size for screen image, must be 640x480
2) wrong color depth for screen image, must be 4bit 16 color bitmap (note: the progress bar must also be 4bit 16 color bitmap and have the same color palette as the screen image)
3) wrong name info for screen image in the .ini file
i found the right way to do it.. what you need to do is when u make ur skin folder in to a zip file.. what you do is right click, go to explore,click tools at the top then go to file options... when the file options open click the view tab then uncheck "hide extensions for unknown file" then after you apply it go to the zip file and change the .zip to .bootskin and it will chnag ethe file type
BLUEMONKEY-STU
Reply #12 Thursday, June 12, 2008 2:38 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, June 12, 2008 2:38 PM
This post is Directed to Stardock Administrators and Program technicians or any guest or members who can answer my questions 1. Is Kernel1.exe a file that BootSkin adds to Windows? after installing BootSkin and applying a bootfile graphic that came with the program, I rebooted and it worked like a charm. But after examining the content of the Windows%system% boot.ini File I see a reference to a file named Kernel1.exe. This is not the default Windows KRNL386.EXE , which I do not see in the Windows\System32 Folder any longer , apparently replaced by Kernel1.exe 2. Can you post a detailed outline of all system control Files added to Windows by BootSkin , where they are located , and the registery Keys that are added by BootSkin , along with what DOS or script entries are added to any Windows Modified Files. 3. Can your Tech staff please make a working BootSkin Plugin for both BARTS-PE and REATOGO-XPE, along with detailed instructions on how to apply it to a BARTS-PE or REATOGO-XPE build and whatever registery entrys for said plugin, so that everyone can use this great Software application in Both a BARTS-PE and REATOGO-XPE CD or DVD WINDOWS-XP Build?????? I have tried several times and Failed. Thanks
Bichur
Reply #13 Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:31 PM
Reply #13 Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:31 PM
FYI - bootskin is unsupported and has been unsupported going on 4yrs
It was causing too much headache since it won't work for everyone due to too many differences in BIOS
It was causing too much headache since it won't work for everyone due to too many differences in BIOS
BLUEMONKEY-STU
Reply #14 Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:17 PM
Then I will simply direct the Questions to ANY member or guests that have high tech skills
1. A Detailed outline of all Windows system control files that BootSkin adds
( I know of these Files by my own investigation and examination of the BootSkin install.log )
1. System32\drivers\vidstub.sys
2.program files\common files\Stardock\ODZip.dll
2. A detailed outline of the Windows registry System Control Keys it adds.
The registery entry I found seems to be the important one as relates to the Boot process
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"CurrentUser"="USERNAME"
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="5000"
"SystemStartOptions"="FASTDETECT KERNEL=KERNEL1.EXE NOEXECUTE=OPTIN"
"SystemBootDevice"="multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)"
"EnableBootSkin"=dword:00000001
"BootSkinDirty"=dword:00000000
There are several others within this registery subFolder but I don't actually know if they relate to BootSkin
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\AGP]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Arbiters]
3. Is kernel1.exe a file added to the Windows\System32 Folder by BootSkin ?
( I see this file refrenced in the C:\boot.ini File )
It is not part of the default Windows Operating System. ( please correct me if I am wrong)
4. A detailed description of how BootSkin takes control of the Windows Bootscreen on Bootup.
(I have examined the graphics Files within the NTOSKRNL.EXE ,using ResHack ,which is to my understanding,the File in the Windows\System32 folder that Windows calls on Bootup, but I do not see the new Bootskin applied Graphics.)
5. Can anyone create a working BootSkin Plugin for BARTS-PE and REATOGO-XPE
And detailed instructions on how to apply it within a Build and Burn.
Number #5 is what I am really interested in , but the other questions are also needed just for
general users information.
But #5 is the jewel I'M seeking
**********************************************************
Thanks
Reply #14 Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:17 PM
Then I will simply direct the Questions to ANY member or guests that have high tech skills
1. A Detailed outline of all Windows system control files that BootSkin adds
( I know of these Files by my own investigation and examination of the BootSkin install.log )
1. System32\drivers\vidstub.sys
2.program files\common files\Stardock\ODZip.dll
2. A detailed outline of the Windows registry System Control Keys it adds.
The registery entry I found seems to be the important one as relates to the Boot process
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"CurrentUser"="USERNAME"
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="5000"
"SystemStartOptions"="FASTDETECT KERNEL=KERNEL1.EXE NOEXECUTE=OPTIN"
"SystemBootDevice"="multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)"
"EnableBootSkin"=dword:00000001
"BootSkinDirty"=dword:00000000
There are several others within this registery subFolder but I don't actually know if they relate to BootSkin
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\AGP]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Arbiters]
3. Is kernel1.exe a file added to the Windows\System32 Folder by BootSkin ?
( I see this file refrenced in the C:\boot.ini File )
It is not part of the default Windows Operating System. ( please correct me if I am wrong)
4. A detailed description of how BootSkin takes control of the Windows Bootscreen on Bootup.
(I have examined the graphics Files within the NTOSKRNL.EXE ,using ResHack ,which is to my understanding,the File in the Windows\System32 folder that Windows calls on Bootup, but I do not see the new Bootskin applied Graphics.)
5. Can anyone create a working BootSkin Plugin for BARTS-PE and REATOGO-XPE
And detailed instructions on how to apply it within a Build and Burn.
Number #5 is what I am really interested in , but the other questions are also needed just for
general users information.
But #5 is the jewel I'M seeking
**********************************************************
Thanks
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Saturday, January 10, 2004 10:48 AM