Bootskin is stopping windows from loading

from Stardock Forums
When I apply a skin I created, it will appear when I start up, however when it passes beyond that it freezes. Why is this? What can I do? Please help! Please? Tell me what to do. No referals please they are down.
wincustomize
2,988 views 10 replies
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Start computer in safe mode, F8 at startup, set bootskin to default windows bootscreen. Reboot, select one of bootscreens that came installed in bootskin, reboot, if everything is ok, you have an error in bootskin you made. If it is an error check your other thread I have left you some info on it. Do you get a Blue Screen Of Death or does it just freeze.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I am also having this exact same problem. I followed the solution by Cavan1, but it does not help. I uninstalled bootskin and it does not help.
What happens is when I boot or restart windows, it will pass the bios then go to a solid black screen and never further, unless I hit the reset button, upon which it boots to the screen informing me that windows did not boot properly and I am able to start windows normally from there.
This behavior started imeediatly when I installed bootskin, and as i said, uninstalling does not help.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Can you get into Safe Mode?

If so, try going to "Start > Run > type: msconfig > hit Enter key > click Startup tab, and look to see if Bootskin is still listed and selected > if so, deselect it > click the General tab, and look to see if the Use Modified BOOT.INI is selected > if so, select Use Original BOOT.INI > if Bootskin was still listed under the Startup tab, you should now have Selective Startup selected under the General tab (as well as Use Original BOOT.INI) > click Apply > boot computer.

Note - if Bootskin is still listed under the Startup tab, write down the Command and Location text following the Bootskin listing (you will have to collapse and expand using the top drag seperators to read the full text).

Usually, the location will be "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run". After a successful boot with Bootskin deselected in "msconfig", you can go to "Start > Run > type: regedit > hit Enter key > find and hightlight the "HKEY_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" key (folder in left-side pane) - and you should see the Bootskin command listed in the right-side pane, which you can then right-click on the name entry and select delete. This will remove Bootskin from the msconfig Startup listing, and prevent Windows from trying to run it.

If you do not feel confident in messing around in the Registry, yet you are successful at booting to Windows and still have Bootskin listed in msconfig, post here again and I can give you a step-by-step if you want to remove it.

Note #2 - you can also use the Launch System Restore button from the General Tab to try to restore your system to a point before you installed Bootskin.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
What happens is when I boot or restart windows, it will pass the bios then go to a solid black screen and never further, unless I hit the reset button, upon which it boots to the screen informing me that windows did not boot properly and I am able to start windows normally from there.


So after a black screen, I can always boot on the 2nd try, but it costs me valuble time to babysit the boot process, since thats usually when I walk away and get my morning cup o' joe.

Note #2 - you can also use the Launch System Restore button from the General Tab to try to restore your system to a point before you installed Bootskin.


No, I do not use system restore...

Anyhow, I looked at everything you suggested, and there is no trace of bootskin there. But this DID start as soon as I installed bootskin. I even tried FIXMBR, but it still remains. I do use a RAID, perhaps bootskin shifted the priority of something at boot time just enought to cause this?
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
It could be something related to the RAID set-up, not sure on that one.

If you have already removed the "\windows\system32\drivers\vidstub.sys" driver file, then the only other thought I have would be:

Right-click My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery settings button > select the OS listing you want, and then clear any check mark in "Time to display list of operating systems" > click OK, then Apply.

A typical listing for XP Pro would be: "Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

Beyond this, I would be guessing.