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 #42 Sunday, March 6, 2005 12:40 PM
| And as Kosati said here in his first text the filenames to change to, they were automatically those but they are unknown so I cant open them or anything what must I do!? |
What you need is the CursorXP program. https://www.stardock.com/products/cursorxp/
Reply #43 Tuesday, March 8, 2005 4:42 PM
I just downloaded new version of OD. I downlaoded a skin named Indemnity Pro Tabs.
i can set the background for this skin but i have no idea how too setup the tabs? my OD still looks the same just with a difrent background. How can i set it so i have the scroll down menus for like games multimedia n stuff like that?
thanks heaps s0jwa.
Reply #44 Wednesday, March 9, 2005 5:56 PM
You can have any folder open as a menu. The setting is in the Dock Entry Properties dialog. (but this could be another OD+ only feature, I dunno)
Reply #47 Thursday, March 10, 2005 9:55 PM
Reply #48 Friday, March 11, 2005 1:52 PM
| #46 by Citizen N3rds does this work with win2k? |
I guess that depends on what 'this' is...... there's quite a few things mentioned in the thread. What exactly are you asking?
spmblueeys...
Reply #49 Saturday, March 12, 2005 8:33 PM
Reply #50 Saturday, March 12, 2005 8:47 PM
Can I assume you are talking about skinning the default XP logon screen when you start your computer?
If so, you will need LogonStudio, which you can download for free here Link
At the beginning of this thread, Koasati has given instruction on making sure the file extension of downloads are correct along with a list of the correct file extensions for some of the more common programs including LogonStudio (".logonxp" file extension).
I hope this helps, and please post again if this was not your question.
Reply #51 Sunday, March 13, 2005 9:53 AM
Reply #52 Sunday, March 13, 2005 7:43 PM
Reply #53 Sunday, March 13, 2005 8:48 PM
You will need SkinStudio Link, and a graphic creating program such as Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Paint Shop Pro, or another.
ratherbedeadthancool,
You will need the correct program to apply the themes (i.e., WindowBlinds, IconPackager, DesktopX, ObjectDock) and for suites you will also need Theme Manager.
Here is a link to Stardock Link, where you can check out the programs. Some are Shareware, and ObjectDock has a free version.
If you need more specific information, just post here again.
Reply #54 Tuesday, March 15, 2005 12:19 PM
Thx in advance.
Myth101
Reply #55 Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:42 PM
I have downloaded some nice premade themes from this site for desktopx. They work great, but how do I change some of the tab names. Eg...the original says "Files" ...I want to rename it "Games"...
Many thanks!
Kris
Reply #56 Wednesday, March 16, 2005 11:49 PM
Krisik... I can't answer that but hang on, I'm sure someone will pop in soon.
Reply #58 Saturday, March 19, 2005 12:09 PM
Hey thanks man. I'll do that once I'm sure they're done. They're Halo 2 and Half-Life 2 Logons.
Myth101
Reply #59 Sunday, March 20, 2005 4:50 PM
HOW DO U SET UP A SCREEN SAVER? I NEED SEROUIS HELP WITH THIS!
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Reply #41 Sunday, March 6, 2005 4:24 AM
I assume you have CursorXP program, so here are the steps:
1) Cursor theme file extension must be ".CurXPTheme" using upper and lower case as shown.
2) Theme files must be placed in "C:\Program Files\CursorXP\Themes" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).
3) Go to "Start Menu > All Programs > Stardock CursorXP > Configure CursorXP" to load program.
4) Deselect the "disable all" check box under the CursorXP tab to allow selection of themes, select a theme from drop down list, click "Apply".
I hope this helps.