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.
Jason Carver suggested this work around......... rename the files when you download.
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.
Rocher776,
Glad you sorted the issue.....
Please keep in mind that we are all volunteers here, and have lives outside of WinCustomize as well.
In general - you can click on the small tab at top right of page called "My Skins" > expand the first drop-down list next to the word "Display" and see if you have anything listed as being in "Moderation". If so, it has not been reviewed by the moderators who work with that particular library.
I just looked in the moderation section (I am not a moderator for any library, so can simply look at the uploads), and I do not see any art listed as being by "Drakolith".
If you see anything listed as being in "Moderation", and then it no longer shows after a couple of days, one of two or three things have happened:
1 - It was accepted and is now available in the relevant library for download
2 - It was rejected due to not meeting the 'guidelines' https://www.wincustomize.com/Guidelines.aspx
3 - In some 'rare' instances (very rare, mind you), there will be a failure in the database, and some files will be lost due to a system failure. This would probably affect only a 24 hour period, due to back-up systems in place. In this case, there will be a post on WC indicating a problem, and a request for those who uploaded in the last 24 hours to be aware of the issue - and to re-upload if they want.
E-mails are not always sent to tell the author of the result of the review of art, but moderators try to do this when possible. The one exception would be in the "Wallpaper" section, where the quantity of uploads in a given day may prohibit the practicality of sending e-mails (acceptance or rejection) to all authors.
Unless something has changed that I am unaware of, a 'referral' means there is a link on another internet site or page to the relevant address - in this case a 'SS' (I am assuming this is short for ScreenSaver).
When uploads are successful, you are taken to a page that explains it can take up to 5 days for submissions to be processed.
Promiscuity,
I also do not play games very much, so will be of limited help on this one....
The first thing I would try, is to use the "Disable All" option found in the CursorXP tab in the "Mouse Properties" dialog, and then play the games to see if the issue is a conflict between CursorXP and the games, or between the games and the pointers in general.
If the problem disappears with the standard Windows cursors, this would point to either a conflict between CursorXP and the games, or a CursorXP theme that is not getting along with full screen video.
Test the CursorXP theme compatibility by trying another theme to see if the issue persists with different themes. If so, I would venture to say that the issue is either a conflict with the video driver, or an overlay issue between CursorXP and the games.
If the problem is confined to a certain theme, then it is probably something in the theme's animation files. This would be where I recommend disabling the CursorXP theme before gaming (and possibly contact the author to alert him/her to the issue).
If the issue is confined to "full screen" video only, then 'overlay' may come into play, and we will have now reached my limitation of knowledge. Contacting support@stardock.com would be a possible avenue to see if they have a fix for this one.
Hopefully, someone else will stop by with some better insight.
songman,
For ObjectDock (free version):
Right-click the dock > select "Dock Settings" > place a check mark in the "Load ObjectDock on startup" option (located in lower left corner of dialog) > click "OK".
If you have designed your own theme, use the "Themes menu > Save Dock Theme As" option to name and save your theme. This will allow you to reload it using the "Load Theme" option in the same "Themes" menu, at any time in the future if you change themes.
For IconX:
You will need to unload DesktopX and IconX > restart IconX > right-click the IconX system tray icon (if the configure panel does not display) and select the option to configure IconX > look in the dialog under one of the tabs for the option to load at startup (I can't remember which one, due to my not using IconX anymore) > click Apply or OK - whichever is available.
Note - IconX configuration panel does not display this option with DesktopX loaded for some reason. We have not seen an explanation on this issue to date, but are still hoping for clarification as to why.
Note #2 - I have seen an error message upon the first reboot when selecting the option to have IconX run at startup, due to the script blocking feature of my Anti-Virus program and IconX needing to write a text file to cache to use upon restart of Windows. This does not create any problems other than displaying during the initial reboot, and should not show up again upon subsequent boots.
I hope this helps.
dcrhaekte,
The only thing I can think of would be that you have not cross-referenced your account here at WC with your Stardock account, allowing you unlimited downloads for the WindowBlind skin library, which you are entitled to if you purchased WindowBlinds.
Currently, your status shows as unknown here at WC.
To cross-reference, click the "My Account" tab at the top of the page while logged in to WC, and use the "Cross-reference....." link you see on that page > follow the instructions to complete the procedure. Once this is completed successfully, you should be able to download all the WB skins you want.
If cross-referencing does not fix the issue, please post a link to the skin in question, and someone can look into the matter further.
CracksGuy,
Are you asking for help, or commenting on the need for more information from another via screenshots?
If you need help, some more specifics would be helpful in narrowing down the question.
You can also click my name, and you will see a few mini tutorials listed on my page, which use images to illustrate the procedures and may be helpful depending on your needs.
I will have a few more up focused on ObjectDock Plus by the end of upcoming weekend (January 22nd, 2006), along with one or two items on working with the XP default customization dialogs.
Wilson92,
Here is a mini tutorial on downloading content http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?AID=82563
It is short and to the point.
Note - you (or others) will need the appropriate programs installed on the computer before using any of the downloaded content.
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