Solved questions about system patchers &theme building in general

[ajfudge]

Jerry,
Thank you! I'll look forward to that. The Tavaris theme looks awesome. If it won't be too much trouble, could you also include the image #s of that one? I basically just need to change some text colors, caption & scroll buttons & explorerframe. It looks so good to play around with. Please?

-AJ

 

[cehjeel518]

where can i download Uxstyle core?

Here UxStyle - no more patching. hit the "play" text in red.
Jerry

thanks a lot sir..^^

 

[cehjeel518]

i tried using it sir,
but it seems to be slowing down my computer(boot & shutting down).
is that normaL?

 

[Bongo]

i tried using it sir,
but it seems to be slowing down my computer(boot & shutting down).
is that normaL?

Not for me

 

[ajfudge]

i tried using it sir,
but it seems to be slowing down my computer(boot & shutting down).
is that normaL?

Not for me also. A slow startup and slow shutdown are mostly caused by programs running in the background. In my experience, those programs are the kind whose function relies on Windows explorer (like a folder switcher, clipboard manager or context menu items). If you have a startup manager, you can monitor those changes.

UxStyle Core, on the other hand, is a service whose basic function is to "switch on" permissions for non-Microsoft theme, so Windows Explorer relies to it as opposed to the other way around. So with that logic, I don't think it should slow down your startup/shutdown.

 

[cehjeel518]

ok.thanks for wasting ur time on my lame question sir.^^
pilipino ka?

 

[ajfudge]

no problem.
walang anuman.
opo, pinoy to.

 

[cehjeel518]

Kewl^^

 

[cehjeel518]

i have an new prob.
i have installed UxCore and works fine already.
now for the new prob.
i noticed recently that my rocketdock is not loading at start up.
it says at the task bar manager that it's running but it's not showing.
i have to end the process and manually run/open rocketdock again.
i tried using my old theme(microsoft theme),
shut and re-open the computer then after that rocketdock worked.
please help.

 

[ajfudge]

Hi cehjeel518,

I think you need to create a new thread for your inquiry as it concerns Rocketdock. (Just to keep this thread strictly about custom theme).
But my diagnosis would be this: Rocketdock is really slow when starting up. Mine takes about 5-10 mins. before it appears. This has something to do with the no. of docklets and what type of docklets you put in Rocketdock.

-AJ

 

[cehjeel518]

roger that sir^^.

 

[Bongo]

Jerry,
Thank you! I'll look forward to that. The Tavaris theme looks awesome. If it won't be too much trouble, could you also include the image #s of that one? I basically just need to change some text colors, caption & scroll buttons & explorerframe. It looks so good to play around with. Please?

-AJ

Hi AJ getting the numbers for Tavaris would be even more time-consuming beings the numbers have all changed, the text colors are not images and I do not know how to change them without Windows Style Builder the caption buttons and the Explorer frame are in the Steam image #971 which is very hard to edit, that's another reason to get Windows style builder it breaks that image down into individual images.

Here is a breakdown of the task bar, I will work on the start menu next and try to get it to you sometime next week.
Jerry

 

[ajfudge]

Jerry,
Thank you for investing your time to help me with this. Theme building newbies everywhere will be very pleased. It's alright if you can't locate the image numbers of Tavaris. Anyway, here comes another numbered inquiries.

1.
I just finished modifying explorerframe.dll. I seem to be having problems with creating .bmp with alpha channels. Any tips?

2.
I seem to be having trouble replacing my explorerframe.dll
I did the necessary steps like taking ownership and renaming the original file before I place my modified file inside system32 and syswow64 folders. But take a look at the screenshot below.

There seem to be an invisible explorerframe.dll which I must overwrite. The red overlay icon indicates that this file was hardlinked, so when I looked into its Properties, it points me to Windows\winsxs and I understand that it's a shadow copy. How were you able to successfully place a modified explorerframe.dll with all these hassles that I experienced?
The only way for me to successfully place a modified explorerframe or shell32 files inside system32 and syswow64 was to zip my modified files, place it in any folder, open it and then extract it directly to system32 and syswow64. That method works for me. But...

3.
When I tried to test modified my explorerframe.dll and shell32.dll but after restarting my pc, explorer.exe can't start and gives me an error 0x000007b and it leaves me with a blank white screen, indicating that explorer is not really running. I have to revert back to a restore point to make my pc workable. :shock: I don't know what to do. Help.

 

[Bongo]

How are you accessing the explorerframe.dll are you going directly to it inside the folder or are you using the search box in the top right corner of Explorer?

Look at Post #6 in this thread it will explain how to take ownership give yourself permission renamed and replace .dll and .exe
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/179502-basic-networking-information.html#post1525656
Jerry

 

[ajfudge]

I access it directly inside the folders.

I successfully renamed those files but I can't place my modified files inside the folders without the "file already exists" dialog prompt.

The zip method to place my modified files works, but explorer.exe doesn't work properly when I use my modified files.

 

[Bongo]

I do not understand why you are having so much trouble changing them, take a screenshot of your system32 folder showing your Explorerframe.dll as shown in my example below yours will not have the modified in there yet.


I believe you said you were using Resource Hacker I personally have never had success using it for .bmp images, it works okay for icons and a few other things. I use Restorator - Bome Software - Restorator - the resource editor for customization, localization, and translation. it's not free but they do have a 30 day free trial, just a side note if you would decide to purchase this send them a e-mail requesting a discount I did that and got 40% off.

When it comes to .bmp images I use this site to convert them it works much better Online Image Converter
Jerry

 

[ajfudge]

Thanks for the tip about asking for a discount. Is there a way to get a discount for WSB?
Thanks also for the image converter link. Will try that later.

Anyway, here's a screenshot of my system32 folder with the original file:

And here's my system32 folder after I renamed the original file and placed my modified file inside it. When I restart, explore won't work properly and gives me an error (0x000007b) and my desktop will be a blank white:

 

[ajfudge]

Here's an update:
I tried using a different explorerframe.dll I downloaded from DA. And it worked (see screenshot below)
So the problem was my modified explorerframe.dll. I really need to figure out how to save .bmp with alpha channels.

 

[ajfudge]

ANOTHER UPDATE:
I managed to re-create my bitmaps this time with alpha channels.
Now I cornered my problem with the images themselves. I'm wondering if using different colors for 577, 578, 579, 581 (normal, hovered, disabled, pressed) is not accepted by Windows Explorer? Each one has different colors but they are of same shape and size.

I tried Kishan Bagaria's Windows 7 Navigation Button Changer and it somehow changed my buttons successfully. See screenshot below:

 

[Bongo]

Good to hear you got the buttons changed.
No there is not a discount for WSB it's already one of the cheapest software you can buy.
Them red overlay on your files in system32 folder are troubling what does hardlinked mean? I notice I don't see them in your SysWOW64 folder.
Jerry