Tips for new users!

Published on February 22, 2005 By Koasati In New Users

It was suggested that an article I put together should be placed in the New User section. I want to expand on that
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.

by Developer Lantec
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.

by Citizen Jason Carver
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.

Comments (Page 13)

181

Corky_O

on May 25, 2005

Charms55,

I may be of limited help on this one, because I do not run DesktopX due to incompatibility with my system (probably my older Norton Internet Security 2003).

If the problems only exist when DesktopX is loaded (number 2 does sound like it would have to be), then you may need to go into that theme and set them for your system. The theme was created by someone on their computer, which may have a different internet access setting, or may have gone through a router and yours does not, or vice-versa.

Again, these are just some basic concepts to check. If the search objects work consistently after you open your browser and create an open port, then your best fix may be to do just that each time.

For the WB system tray icon, you could try the following to work around it:

- Right-click the taskbar > Properties > Notification area > Customize button > Highlight WindowBlinds in the Current list > select "Always Show" from the drop-down list that appears > click "Apply".

This may over-ride the rogue program or script that is making it invisible.

Note - I had some issues with system tray icons not showing up each time I powered up the computer, and was able to solve this by starting Stardock Central, then going to "Tools > Settings > deselecting both options that enabled the "MCP" functions. Beware - this is an option only if you run themes that do not require the Stardock MCP (such as ObjectDock System tray functions) to be running. DesktopX may well need this to be running as well, so if you try it and things get even stranger - re-enable the functions.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge about DesktopX will drop by.

182

Koasati

on May 25, 2005

Stardock MCP............. DesktopX may well need this to be running as well, so if you try it and things get even stranger - re-enable the functions.

I'm pretty sure all Stardock apps need MCP for systray support.

183

_TAPPER_

on May 28, 2005

New to the forums...How do i put an author or an article on my "watch list"?

184

_TAPPER_

on May 28, 2005

Nevermind, DUH!

185

charms55

on May 28, 2005

Corky,

Thanks. No go on the icon issue. As I said, that is merely a minor annoyance. Concerning the search functions it seems clear I must have the browser open, so again, no real issue.

Later,
charms55

186

SUJO

on May 29, 2005

Ok. Now I am just plain 'oll stupid but anyway - HOW can I setup ObjectDock's tabbed dock to be vertical, that is that tabs are reading upside down. No matter what I click or push the tabs are correctly shown only horizontally-if i select a drawer left of right the tabs are cut off and the tab is still horizontally shown. what should I do?????

BLAAAH!!!....I AM stupid.I just figured out!

Tnx anyway!

187

Corky_O

on May 29, 2005

SUJO,

To create a vertical tabbed dock, right-click a tab > view > clear any check mark by "Lock Dock Position" - then just drag a dock edge vertically to the height you want, and drag an edge horizontally to make the dock one icon wide.

To arrange tabs, open "Dock Settings" dialog, go to "Size & Appearance" category and you will see Tab Position and Tab Alignment drop-down boxes - just make your selections.

Save your theme when complete.

Note - once a dock is attached to a screen edge and set as a "Drawer", the tab position will be determined by the screen edge alignment and the "Tab Position" list will be greyed out.

I hope this helps.

188

Moosonee

on May 29, 2005

I'm totally new to this, but this looks fascinating.

I just have a few problems. My taskbar is visible, unless i check the autohide.
Also if I press win+d (desktop) button, it clears my (whatever it is) that I dl:d from here. Also, the weather doesn't work in finland

btw i'm using desktopx 3 pro.

189

Angel of D34th

on May 30, 2005

ok i did what everyone had said and it still wont open.

i am trying to put a cursor, desktop theme, and a boot skin immage on my comp and they all dont work. they have the correct .name and so it said it couldnt open it and it showed a list of programs i could use to open it or i could use the internet to search for one. i searched and it went to sum filext which didnt help. i down loaded a picture for my backround and that worked just fine. its on my backround right now. it looks so cool. well im trying to install a star wars cursor, darkzone2 theme, and forst night bootskin. plz help me!!!!!!!!

190

Koasati

on May 30, 2005

Moosonee.... Open the DesktopX Builder Settings dialog > Desktop tab > check the "Hide Windows taskbar" checkbox.

About the win+D problem.......

"Show Desktop" does not minimize anything. What really happens is a full screen, borderless, explorer window, opens on top of everything.

You can use.

Winkey + M to minimize all
Winkey + shift + M to restore all

Copy and paste the following into a text file and save it as ShowDesktop.vbs. Then create a new shortcut linked to this file.

Set Shell = CreateObject ("Shell.Application")
Shell.MinimizeAll
Set Shell = Nothing

and

Copy and paste the following into a text file and save it as RestoreAll.vbs. Then create a new shortcut linked to this file.

Set Shell = CreateObject ("Shell.Application")
Shell.UndoMinimizeAll
Set Shell = Nothing

Angel of D34th.... have you downloaded, and installed the software for the skins you want to use? (I'm thinking not ) For CursorXP cursors, you need the CursorXP software. For BootSkins, you need the BootSkin program (doesn't work will some motherboards). Desktop theme..... I'm assuming you mean DesktopX, and you'll need the DesktopX software. Click the Software tab at the top of the page.

191

Jeeez

on May 30, 2005

hi,

I have a problem, i installed a Mac OSx Skin on my pc and everything looks cool but 1 thing: the scrollbar is still like XP end not the nice blue one of the mac....help...

192

Koasati

on May 30, 2005

Jeeez.... Scrollbars, and few other things, aren't skinned with the trial version of WindowBlinds.

193

biggino

on May 31, 2005

hey i would like to know how to insert a suite download so i can use it on my computer?, can any one tell me how to do this?

194

Corky_O

on May 31, 2005

biggino,

If you have downloaded a suite (".suite" file type) from the suites library, then you will need the Theme Manager program Link

Install Theme Manager, then you can either double-click the ".suite" file to install, or place it in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\Theme Manager\Themes" folder (where "C" is the letter drive).

Note - you will also need all the individual customization programs to apply the different components (i.e., WindowBlinds, Icon Packager, CursorXP, etc.). Theme Manager should offer to download the programs for you during the application process - or you can use the links on the Theme Manager download page (see link). There are both shareware and full versions of the more advanced programs, and free versions of the others.

I hope this helped.

195

GeeZzZz

on Jun 02, 2005

Hi
When i use logonstudio the intended logon doesn't appear when i reboot.
The files i use is .logonxp, and i load them with logonstudio.
the program doesn't come up with any erros or anything, but i still get normal logon screen.
Why?

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