Bootskins

from Stardock Forums
I installed this just this morning, and I change my boot to another and apply it. Well when I restart the comp to see if it works, it doesn't. Just keeps restarting, then I have to get it into safe mode to get to windows to put it back to default. What is the deal?
wincustomize
2,417 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bootskin does not work on all computers due to system BIOS. There are a couple alternative versions on Bootskin page at Stardock, if none work you will have to live with default Windows bootscreen.
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is an alternative!

Prerequisites:
Not be afraid of editing your boot.ini file

Pros:
Should work on any XP/2000 system (i've only tested on XP Pro)

Cons:
No animated progress bar.

Method:
Make a backup of your boot.ini file (note it's attributes are set to 'System' and 'Hidden' so you'll have to unhide it first)

Find the following line in your boot.ini file:
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

Add the following switches to the end of this line: /bootlogo /noguiboot

Save the file and restore the file attributes.

Copy or reate a BMP file called 'boot.bmp' into your %SYSTEMROOT% directory (usually C:\Windows). It must have the same colour depth and size as the normal bootskin image files (16 colour/4bit, 640x480).

I just copy the files out of the .bootskin ones I like. Sometimes there's some 'patching' to do to cover up the 'hole' where the progress bar might be - or you just have a more limited choice.

Regrets:
I wish I could remember where I originally found this tip so that I could credit it properly (may even have been on this site somewhere!).

Good luck!

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Remember...the potential is there, when messing with the 'boot.ini' to also mess with your boot.

In other words....get it wrong and you'll not be booting into your OS at all...

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No argument at all with your advice there Jafo!

I always have a bootable CD available which I can use to manipulate a non-booting NTFS drive.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central