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 )
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 #362 Wednesday, June 7, 2006 9:00 AM
Bigboy3457,
As Bichur indicates for CursorXP, you will need the appropriate program installed for any given skin (with the exception of Wallpapers, and perhaps miscellaneous icons).
Once you have the program installed, you can download content (skins and/or themes) for that program and usually double-click the downloaded file (with the correct file extension as indicated in the opening comment of this post).
For some information on successful downloading procedures, you can see my mini tutorial here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=82563
For some insight into the file structures used for the core ObjectDesktop programs, as well as a few others, you can read my mini tutorial on backing-up skins and themes here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=82928
The "Software" tab at the top of the page will provide you with links to customization programs, each link should also result in a good description of what the relevant program customizes.
I do not use the BootSkin program due to it being compatible on some systems, and being incompatible (or problematic) on other systems, so I do not create any tutorial resources for that one - sorry. 
Reply #363 Wednesday, June 7, 2006 8:26 PM
| But what about Bootup skins, Desktop themes and everything? |
As Corky_O said, different content (skin/themes) may require software.
Each Gallery has a description box that includes a link for software (some free, some trial, some paid).
As the original post says, with some exceptions (Object Dock, Rainlendar, etc) they much load the same as CursorXP
I've never gotten Bootskin to work, so I don't use it.
In addition to Corky_O's tutorials, Cordelia has some on the basic newb "how do I use it" tutorials covering some of the programs and other basics. It starts here: Link.
You'll find more on the right hand side of the page.
Reply #364 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 1:18 PM
Reply #365 Tuesday, June 13, 2006 6:53 PM
| How do i make my own xp theme like the others do on the home page? |
Basically, you will need the following to make your own Start Menu and Start Button:
1 - SkinStudio (can be found by going to the "Software" tab at top of page).
2 - WindowBlinds (can be found by going to the "Software" tab at top of page).
3 - A graphics editing program (preferably one that can save ".png" files, but ".bmp" are fine).
It is quite a process to create a skin, so be prepared for some work. I believe there are some tutorials both here and at a site called "SkinArtistry" http://skinartistry.com/news.php
Just poke around using the search functions at both sites, check at Stardock.com for documentation, or do a google search for WindowBlinds and SkinStudio tutorials.
Reply #366 Thursday, June 15, 2006 5:43 PM
Thanks dude.. this will help.. I tried and got really confused but thanks ill look it up
Reply #367 Wednesday, July 5, 2006 3:03 AM
go to start > run
and place this in to takeaway the zip by windows
regsvr32 /u %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll
to have the windows zip
regsvr32 %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll
cheers =D
Reply #368 Saturday, July 8, 2006 1:35 PM
Reply #369 Sunday, July 9, 2006 8:22 PM
Reply #370 Sunday, July 9, 2006 8:24 PM
Reply #371 Monday, July 24, 2006 12:58 AM
Casi todo el software de la necesidad de las galerías a trabajar. Cada galería tiene una caja de la descripción, con un acoplamiento para conseguir cualquier software si está necesitada. Por ejemplo: si deseas utilizar los cursores de CursorXP, necesitas CursorXP que el programa instaló. Las pieles ocultas de la ventana, ventana de la necesidad ciegan el programa instalado.
Reply #372 Saturday, November 18, 2006 1:56 PM
: I have downloaded some DeskopX Themes but I don't know how to install them. I installed also WindowBlinds! Can I install the DeskopX Themes also with Window Blinds? If not, what shall I do?
Reply #373 Saturday, November 18, 2006 2:08 PM
For future reference, each gallery has as description box with links to the software needed to use the items in that section.
Reply #374 Tuesday, December 5, 2006 2:25 PM
New to this so this will probably be a daft question but what the hell here goes
I have downloaded the skin for firefox and it is in a zip, is there a way to convert to to a file like you do with the "dxtheme" files when they are zips? And do I need another piece of software to use the firefox skins?
Many thanx
Reply #375 Tuesday, December 5, 2006 2:55 PM
Reply #376 Wednesday, December 13, 2006 8:09 PM
Reply #377 Wednesday, December 13, 2006 8:21 PM
If you don't have a "PrtScn" button, I highly recommend this free ScreenShot software linked below. Goodluck!
RumShot!
Reply #378 Sunday, January 28, 2007 2:53 PM
Reply #379 Sunday, January 28, 2007 2:58 PM
Reply #380 Sunday, February 11, 2007 7:16 PM
~Dalez
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Reply #361 Tuesday, June 6, 2006 9:22 PM