Can't apply newer themes

from WinCustomize Forums
I updated my theme manager and now I can't apply any new theme I download. I have re-installed this program 3 times and when I select a new theme--take GAMP's "Heaven" for example--I see the preview, click 'apply' and the next window I see is totally empty. No theme parts of any kind. I hit 'apply' again and I get a window telling me I must select a theme or skin. What am I doing wrong?
5,908 views 7 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
same here mate, but the boot up screen program screwed up my pc, i need to know how to install either the orig windows xp theme back (cuz im so f**king sick of this been at it all night now) or how to install new themes over the current one
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
bump
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
exfactor,

I assume you are talking about Theme Manager, and a suite applied that has a Bootskin that has gone awry.

Try booting to the boot options screen (usually found by hitting F8 as soon as computer starts to power up) > select Safe Mode > hit Enter > start Theme Manager after Windows loads > select either Windows Classic, or Windows XP (whichever is at the top of themes list in Theme Manager), and Apply it > start Bootskin, and restore default bootscreen > Right click the desktop > Properties > Themes tab > theme list > select Windows XP (if the Apply button is not available, select Windows Classic, then reselect Windows XP to activate the Apply button) > click Apply.

This should get you back to the default Windows XP theme.

Reboot computer.

Note - you may want to do without Bootskin if it is creating problems. It is not compatible with all BIOS versions.

I hope this helps.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It is not a problem with your program, but rather a problem with the way the suite was packaged.

Gamp's Heaven does not have a "WinStyles.ini" file in the ".suite" file which is required for Theme Manager to apply it.

To work around this issue, you can open My Computer and go to "Tools > Folder Options > View tab", and deselect "Hide extensions of known file types" > click "Apply".

This will allow you to change the file extension on the Heaven.suite file to Heaven.zip, and then right-click the file > select Extract all.. > click "Next" twice, then click "Finish".

You should now be looking at the contents of the suite file, which in the case of Heaven is a WindowBlinds file, IconPackager file, LogonStudio file, and a WMP skin file. Just double-click each file to install the skins, and if the relevant program does not automatically start, manually start it to apply.

I hope this is clear and is helpful.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
exfactor,

I apologize for the confusion.

I forgot that Safe Mode does not load the themes service, therefore you will not be able to apply themes.

You can try applying the WindowsXP desktop via Theme Manager, then use Display Propeties to make sure that the windows theme service has control of the default theme. Do this in normal windows mode (normal startup).

If Bootskin is creating problems, start it and use it to restore default Boot screen.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky O~

Thanks so much for solving this problem for me. I never would have known to do that. You've been a big help.