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.
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.
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.
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