Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: IceFire on September 25, 2004, 07:43:07 pm
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So I took the plunge and installed Windows XP Service Pack 2. Crossing my fingers but so far so good.
Unfortunately, it seems to have rendered my oldschool theme abilities null and void. Not sure if they have changed the file that controls it or what. I used to use a special uxtheme.dll file that let me use the "non-checksum" (or third party) themes for the interface. Anyone have any experience with that and SP2?
If that doesn't work...then what third party programs does anyone recommend that are free, non-spyware, and generally simple and don't have a memory impact.
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Themes in general, suck very much ass. So I did the next best thing, that suits me.
Shell change.
Theme change.
What I got was this:
(http://smalltimerivalry.com/sschost/scriptblackdove/mynewdesktop.jpg)
(http://smalltimerivalry.com/sschost/scriptblackdove/mynewdesktop2.jpg)
The first one was a n00b issue, when I didn't know how to manipulate the program - the second one is my current desktop, and I'm working on getting some others customised for me.
It uses a really miniscule fraction of my resources, I hardly notice (and my computer is REALLY REALLY SLOW)
www.astonshell.com
However, as I said above, I'm a theme maniac as well, so I used stylexp to change my theme as well (I'm a blue freak) therein getting this:
(http://smalltimerivalry.com/sschost/scriptblackdove/forums.jpg)
Yeah, don't tell me blue doesn't mesh with green.
Anyway, stylexp is an ordinary theme changer - it's located here.
http://www.tgtsoft.com/
Hope I helped.
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IceFire, you'll be pleased to hear that I had the exact same problem some time ago - and I found a solution.
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,26039.0.html
You'll have to dig around in there - but I think there's a patch in Ryx' second link that provides custom themes again.
Good luck - let me know if you still have problems.
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That aston shell thingy is pretty neat. Is it pretty new?
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Wow...lots of nifty things! I'll hafta look into that!
Also found this: http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/9/3/9-3-14.shtml
Which works like a charm!
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Aston Shell is probably the best replacement shell, followed by Stardock's stuff.
Their biggest problem is lack of standardization. As a result not all the skins work with every system which leads to either crash prone or outright system failures, most of which is related to the fancier graphical stuff, which suggests that they need to reexamine their memory usage coding and enact a minimum standard.
The biggest problem facing general computing today is not specifically hardware or software related, it's lack of standardization in newer arenas. Example, DVD burners have to be built to burn to every media imaginable, where CD burners have one standard. The reason Windows became as successful(and like it or not, Windows is the single most successful software product ever) as it is, is because it provided a standard for other companies to build to and that consumers can rely on. Remember how it used to be in the old days? You not only had to worry whether you had the right hardware for your nice new spreadsheet program but that you had the right OS enviroment also.
Whoa...kinda went on a tear there for a minute...sorry, that's how my mind works.
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Yes aston shell is a good tool.
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Themes... Bah, my old P3 doesn't cut it for such eyecandy. :p
*daydreams about a new comp*
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http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/9/3/9-3-14.shtml - Doesn't take any more resources than the standard WinXP themes.
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Originally posted by BD
(http://smalltimerivalry.com/sschost/scriptblackdove/mynewdesktop2.jpg)
I'm using this one at the moment as well. It's so gorgeous. And it matches the winamp and trillian skins I'm using. :nod:
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Ok ice, since you got me all worked up over these themes (they are frickin sweet :D) you can tell me then where can i download that theme and what kind of software do i need to use it