New User- Help Please?

Help greatly appreciated

from WinCustomize Forums

Hi, everyone.  I recently downloaded the shareware versions of DesktopX, WindowBlinds, and IconPackager, and I really like them- I might buy them.  However, I'm having some problems that are really stymieing me.  Any help would be really appreciated.

1. I'm using "Q's Counter Element 2" theme (they're called themes, right?), and it's amazing- gorgeous, really.  Except some things are baffling me.  The task bar, for example, doesn't stack things- each IE window lies on its own separate part, instead of the neat way you could access them all just from clicking on the stack.  Also, and more importantly, all my icons- gone!  All the programs and folders on my desktop just vanished.  I can access them by going through My Computer, but that stinks.  Also, I can drag a shortcut to itunes, for example, onto the desktop or into the shortcuts popout thingy, but not a folder, like my "games" folder.  What gives?

2.  Also, the sleekiness of Q's Counter Element theme is really jarring with the orignal windows XP skin or any other one.  I looked for a "matching" skin to go along with the desktop but couldn't find one.  Do they make WindowBlinds and DesktopX skins that match?  If so, are they in some place I'm not looking?

3.  I tried using the Azlenis2 skin(they're called "visual themes" right?) with Q's Counter Element, since I couldn't find a visual theme that matched Q's, and I really like it- very slick looking.  But when I have any site open on IE, it takes up the whole screen- task bar included, so i can't easily go to the start menu or switch between pages.  Worse, I have no idea when someone's IM'd me because I can't see the flashing bar.  Is there a way to change this, or is it a built-in feature of Azenis2 that I'm stuck with?

Thanks so much for helping out a confused newbie.

1,100 views 12 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Visual styles is confusing anyway, since to me those are for StyleXP and it's not nearly as good as Windowblinds.

For me I only use Windowblinds, DesktopX themes don't actually skin the Windows GUI like Windowblinds does. You can add DX objects or widgets to get some of the stuff the theme might offer, I only have a single weather widget running. DX stuff confuses me anyway, seems so complicated. Windowblinds does everything I need it to in order to make my computer look nice.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hold on...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When DTX has it's own created taskbar it hides the windows bar and generally unchecks the 'keep on top' in the taskbar properties

they don't stack because it's not really a taskbar but a creation to look/simulate a taskbar.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
DTX also has the option to hide the desktop icons - i have both a DTX object and an Object Dock shortcut which opens my desktop folder (I like an empty desktop)
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
me i like real visual style(apply in resources windows directory) and dxtheme with this two i have a amazing desktop.
to answer you Qx9 make dxtheme but not WB skin(i think that's a good idea but...) i think i'll go to put the link to this post in a note for him in DA perhaps he have a idea for you?

i have send a note with the link to this post at QX9
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks very much for sending the note to Qx9.

Also, could you explain again which visual style and theme you use? "Real?"
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bichur- thanks very much.

So is there a way to undo the option that hides desktop icons? Or to have the taskbar act normally?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yep.
just need to be in 'Builder' mode (right click tray icon)

Not sure about the trial version and I'm pretty sure you can't do it in the 'client' version

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"Real?"

I'm guessing:

Not using a program like WB, but using a 'patched' theme.dll that allows your system to use unsigned visual style skins like those applied with StyleXP
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm guessing:

Not using a program like WB, but using a 'patched' theme.dll that allows your system to use unsigned visual style skins like those applied with StyleXP


right! I'm using in first bricopacks like in crytalXP

now i use visual style like original of XP but improve and with the look of vista like this one for example Vista rtm

not simply to apply but no use more cpu or gpu(graph card)
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Guys, thank you so much. I have icons on my desktop now and a normal taskbar, even though there's the weird one just above it.

If Qx9 suggests a WB theme to go with his counter element, please let me know.

/bows.