Trouble installing skins/themes? READ THIS!

Published on January 2, 2005 By Koasati In Beginners

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.

Comments (Page 1)

Bichur

on Jan 03, 2005

Thanks for the info. I've only had minimal problems since sp2 but when I did I'd forget what the correct extensions should be.

CyanideMoB

on Jan 03, 2005

ok, i did everything that you said to do. But whats supposed to happen after i double click on the file?
After i double-clicked on all hte files, i go to cursorxp. An it has all the differnt files in the drop down list.There is also one called Wai which has nothing in it. But when i select the files which i renamed and double-clicked, its says 'Can't load the selected theme'.What's wrong?

Koasati

on Jan 03, 2005

Can you give me a link? I searched for Wai, and came up empty. If I can test one you're having trouble with, I can probably figure out what's wrong.

CyanideMoB

on Jan 03, 2005

I downloaded the numberone theme for cursorxp.The most downloaded one.
Here: Link

Koasati

on Jan 03, 2005

Downloads as a CurXPTheme for me, so I can only assume it's downlaoding as a zip file for you. If you'll follow my instructions above, it will work, assuming you have the CursorXP program installed. Don't open it, just follow the steps. Step 1 is very important. The file should be renamed to CopperDeckII.CurXPTheme

If you're still having trouble, let me know.

Lantec

on Jan 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......

Erk.

on Jan 04, 2005

...Yep, Firefox is wonderful for this. It already knows what extension to open the files with.

Firefox has E.S.P.

hehe...

Mjk0

on Jan 06, 2005

How do i install a bootskin that i downloaded off this site? i'm not sure on how to do it.

Koasati

on Jan 09, 2005

Mj.k0.... have you installed the BootSkin program? https://www.stardock.com/products/bootskin/
The skins won't work without it.

ddll

on Jan 19, 2005

I am having big problems with icon packager and SP2. I have done what was suggested (changing file extension to .ip, but when I double click on the file it opens up icon packager and it shows the name of the icon package, but there are no icons. I have tried several different packages, but no luck. HELP!!

LittleBearJason

on Feb 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.

Koasati

on Feb 12, 2005

Great tip Jason! I would have never thought of that. I haven't used IE for a looooong time, and haven't even seen this problem personally.

LittleBearJason

on Feb 13, 2005

Theres one technical glitch though, while most files on the site are in their respective formats , I come across one or two that actually is a zip file and not one of the file extensions mentioned. Maybe it was uploaded by the user as a .zip and NOT a .wba , etc

Also , thanks for the recognition

PurrBall

on Feb 23, 2005

On the wba extension, I know an easier way! When you click on 'download', on the box that pops up click SAVE and on the file type drop down choose 'all types' and then in the file name box type in the correct extendion after the file name. Much easier!

Koasati

on Feb 23, 2005

Meowy...How is that different from what Jason suggested?

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