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.
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Reply #302 Tuesday, January 24, 2006 1:26 PM
i have downloaded theme for windows xp but it does not work for me
can anyone help me please?
Reply #303 Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:05 PM
patooki,
Please leave more information, such as:
Which library did you download the theme from - WindowBlinds, IconPackager, Suites, DesktopX?
Reply #305 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 7:23 AM
patooki,
You will need to have the DesktopX program installed to run the theme.
You can go to the "Software" tab at the top of any page, and use the DesktopX links to go to the download page. There are three versions:
1 - Client version (shareware)
2 - Standard version (purchased)
3 - Pro version (purchased)
I would recommend using the "Client" version which is free to try. It will allow you to apply DesktopX themes, and use widgets.
Note - modifying of themes is either very limited, or prohibited with this version, but it gives you a chance to see if this program works for you and your system. If not, then no big deal. 
After installing DesktopX, the downloaded theme file should be recognized, and you can simply double-click the file to install and apply the theme. You may want to look at the theme screenshot again to see if there are any special steps you need to take to set up the theme once it is applied - such as changing screen resolution, customizing links, etc.
Reply #306 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 5:03 PM
(1) Will it work with an older version of WB or is it restricted to WB5?
(2) Is it suitable for use with Windows 2000?
(3) What program does it need to function?
(4) Must the "Anim" be located in a specific directory?
Reply #307 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 8:14 PM
| (1) Will it work with an older version of WB or is it restricted to WB5? |
Progress Animations will work with WB4.6.
| (2) Is it suitable for use with Windows 2000? |
Yes.
| (3) What program does it need to function? |
WindowBlinds. (registered version)
| (4) Must the "Anim" be located in a specific directory? |
The WindowBlinds directory. (they are self installing)
Reply #308 Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:59 PM
Reply #309 Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:22 AM
i downloaded desktopx from https://www.wincustomize.com/software.aspx here but it still dsnt recognise my theme file
its working now. thanks for help
Reply #310 Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:48 PM
Reply #311 Saturday, January 28, 2006 7:32 PM
Reply #312 Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:05 PM
Obsessfanatical,
Uninstalling the free versions is always recommended for Stardock programs, including the WinCustomize Browser.
From reading your comment, I am unclear as to whether or not you just purchased Object Desktop as well, or if you have had that suite of programs for a while.
For the WinCustomize Browser, simply uninstall it either via the "Add or Remove Programs" category in the Control Panel, or using an uninstaller in the "All Programs > WinCustomize" folder if it exists. If you use the latter, clear any left-over listing in the "Add or Remove Programs" after uninstalling.
Reboot the computer and then install the full version of the WinCustomize Browser. The other programs such as LogonStudio, which are displayed in the "All Programs > WinCustomize" folder will not be damaged during this procedure.
If you have also just purchased Object Desktop, then you will need to uninstall the other programs you have listed in the above comment, excluding LogonStudio before installing Stardock Central and using it to install the Object Desktop versions of the programs.
I wrote a mini tutorial on "Installing Object Desktop" for beginners, which you can read here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=83625
If you are doing a new installation of Object Desktop, your procedure would be as follows:
1 - Save any downloaded content files (WB Skins, Themes, IconPackages, etc.) to a temporary folder. Some more information about saving files can be read here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=82928
2 - Uninstall the shareware (or free) versions of any programs that are listed as part of Object Desktop
3 - Install Stardock Central, and reboot computer
The rest of the information on installing Object Desktop is in the mini tutorial.
Note - these procedures will only apply to you if you do not already have Object Desktop installed. If you do, then just uninstall the current free version of WinCustomize Browser > reboot > install the full version.
Reply #313 Sunday, January 29, 2006 2:19 PM
Reply #314 Tuesday, January 31, 2006 7:12 PM
and also, how do i install skins?
Reply #315 Tuesday, January 31, 2006 7:36 PM
delusianalpickle,
You need the individual programs installed to apply skins from this site, with the exception of Wallpapers, and icons which can be used in conjunction with the built in icon customizing option of Windows on some of the system icons.
After installing the required program (depending on which type of skin or theme you are working with), you can use the method described here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=82563 for installing skins or themes for many of the more popular programs.
Reply #316 Monday, February 13, 2006 9:42 PM
Reply #317 Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:58 PM
Scrappy06,
I am going to recommend you start a new post in the "Stardock Support" section, and request that you copy and paste the text into that post from the "System Information" report that is generated via the WindowBlinds Configuration panel (lower left of panel).
It sounds like you have a video driver issue to me, and the report text will enable better support from the many people willing to help on this site.
This issue would be more appropriate in that section (lower half of forum page), and will draw more knowledgeable people to help.
Simply use a title with something like "WB help needed" or similar, explain the issue, and paste the report text in the post. 
Reply #318 Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:51 AM
.ThanksReply #320 Wednesday, February 15, 2006 5:21 PM
Can anyone answer my question? Can you make the logoff screen different than the login screen? is this possible and how to do it?Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
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Reply #301 Monday, January 23, 2006 6:05 AM