Tips for new users!
Tuesday, February 22, 2005 by Koasati | Discussion: New Users
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.
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.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Heres a shorter shortcut ( well shorter in my opinion ) Â
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.
 |
|
Page 11 of 20 | |
|
|---|
Reply #202 Saturday, June 4, 2005 5:07 AM
I'm a new user to WinCustomize, and I created a collection of Looney Toons logons, since these were my first I wanted to keep a count of how many downloads they recieved etc. I know this can be done simply by viewing them, although I wanted them in "My Skins" area of my account. They did appear there when I first submitted them with the notification 'awaiting moderation,' although since then, they have not been present in My Skins, I was wondering if you could tell me why this is, and also how can I get them back in there?
Many Thanks for any help.
Reply #203 Saturday, June 4, 2005 1:02 PM
dancingbymyself... you probably need to contact [email protected]
Reply #204 Monday, June 6, 2005 1:15 AM
When i use those weather widgets, the temperature unit(centigrade or fahrenheit) can't be shown. How to solve this problem??? Thanks for help ^^
Reply #205 Monday, June 6, 2005 7:38 PM
Please indicate which weather widgets you are trying to use.
I do not currently use DesktopX, but many people here do, and would be happy to help. More information would be good.
I do know that you should only need to have DesktopX installed, then double-click a widget to run it, and (in the case of a weather widget) allow internet access if prompted so it can update the information.
Reply #206 Monday, June 6, 2005 9:19 PM
Thanks
Jason
Reply #207 Monday, June 6, 2005 9:29 PM
Reply #208 Monday, June 6, 2005 10:03 PM
I am using OMNI Weather Widget and desktopX3.0.
And after loading the widget, 27 is shown on the screem in stead of 27C or 27F.
Later on, i try other weather widget, and i find that all of them can't show the units of temperature.I dunno what's wrong with that.
Reply #209 Monday, June 6, 2005 10:23 PM
I have only one suggestion that might help at this time:
Open "My Computer" and go to "Tools > Folder Options > View tab", and select "Show hidden files and folders", then click "Apply".
Now go to "C:\Documents and Settings\"user name"\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock" folder (where "C" is the letter drive, and "user name" is the name on the account when logged in), and delete the DesktopX folder found there.
This will clear the DesktopX cache including the current theme and widgets.
Try double-clicking on the widget again, and see if you get the "F" or "C" to show.
Note - you will want to save your theme if you have set-up your desktop using DesktopX. If you have just been running widgets, there is no need, because you can reload those easily enough.
If there is still a problem, we must hope for someone more advanced to drop by, because it could be a number of things including text location parameters not being used correctly, font issues, or something else.
Sorry I could not be concise on this one.
Reply #210 Monday, June 6, 2005 10:46 PM
Those unit still cannot be shown after that.
Anyway, thanks for ur help ^^.
Reply #211 Tuesday, June 14, 2005 10:58 PM
Reply #212 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 8:20 PM
Reply #213 Monday, June 20, 2005 12:32 AM
Reply #214 Monday, June 20, 2005 12:16 PM
Reply #215 Monday, June 20, 2005 2:49 PM
I do not use Bootskin, so do not know how helpful I will be.
Have you tried to apply a Bootskin > then restart the computer > hit "F8 key" as soon as it starts to power up (this should put you in the Boot Options screen) > select "Safe Mode", then hit "Enter".
You should now be in Safe Mode (Big Fonts, Terrible colors, Low resolution image). Open Bootskin and try selecting the Default Boot Screen > click "Apply" > Reboot > see if it disables Bootskin and applies the correct Boot Screen.
If so, uninstall Bootskin from Safe Mode.
If this does not help, and your girlfriend is running XP, you might try "Start > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore" and attempt to return to a point before installing Bootskin.
If these fail, and you are intending to reformat (or repair), here is some text from the Bootskin page that might be worth a try - in respect to removing Bootskin:
"Some drivers and bios makers "break the rules" which can cause BootSkin to not work correctly. If you experience that, you can remove BootSkin by deleting \windows\system32\drivers\vidstub.sys".
I wish I had more to offer, but I do not use that program. Hopefully someone with more experience than I have will drop by.
Reply #216 Tuesday, June 21, 2005 1:27 AM
the only thing i seem to be having trouble with is right clicking the set as target. i've tried everything and still can't get my mail to be the default. as far as pop mail and mail server names go, i'm a putz. any help would be greatfully accepted. my mail provider is yahoo by the way.
billy
Reply #217 Tuesday, June 21, 2005 3:04 AM
Thanks for any help.
Reply #218 Tuesday, June 21, 2005 7:12 AM
Are you talking about a widget?
Some more information would be great, so someone can try to help.
Anouvis,
Athens, Greece code = GRXX0004
Reply #219 Tuesday, June 21, 2005 8:01 AM
billy
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!
|
|
Page 11 of 20 | |
|
|---|
Reply #201 Friday, June 3, 2005 10:13 PM
[email protected]