BootSkin Alpha 2 available

http://storage.stardock.com/files/bootskin075_public.exe
from WinCustomize Forums

BootSkin is a program that safely changes the boot screen of Windows XP and later with one of your creation or made by others.

Alpha 2 now has the ability to package up a boot screen into a self contained .bootskin file that can then be uploaded to other sites. We'll be working with skin sites to create sections for this shortly.

It is really easy to create your own boot screens. In the BootSkin directory (\program files\stardock\wincustomize\bootskin) there are sub directories that that contain a .bmp and a simple .ini file that describes the file. Realistically just change the bitmaps and off you go. For now, you have to make them as 16 color (that's 4bit) .BMP files since that's all Windows supports at boot presently. We plan to update BootSkin before release to support true color boot screens as well.

It's freeware so have fun.

12,343 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i don't know about anyone else but this thing doesnt even open on my system now.
Alpha 1 worked fine...and, well, now Alpha 2 doesnt.
I like the idea though!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yeah.. mine doesn't work either.
Alpha1 worked for me too. If a developer is interested, I have the appcompat.txt file saved so you can take a look at it. >
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not to be difficult, as I've already spoken with Phoon, but please post details about the crash address or email them. [email protected] will do for a collection point for these. If you're applying a skin that's not part of the default install, please include that as well.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It works here.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alpha 1 worked for me also but this one crashes...
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Working here, still getting the 2 second view of the original boot screen before the new one shows up. I'm wondering - will animation (like the original progress bar) be possible with these? (WinXP home on a Toshiba satellite 5105 s501).
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Worked fine on my machine.

This is a great idea. I really never thought about skinning the boot screen, but it was the obvious next step. Soon my whole system will be one big STARDOCK. Thank you all at Satrdock for such great ideas (too bad others seem to want to copy them)
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Brad, Mine also crashes when I try to open BootSkin.exe now.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
We should uninstall the original Alpha 1 first right?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yup, crashing here too now on WinXP Pro.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First time install for me with Alpha2. No probs here. Except I made a boot screen and there is a band or border on the left and bottom sides.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nevermind, I found the problem.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
he program doesn't open now for me either.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The add file works know but there is still another problem. Every boot file I download I recieve a message saying There was an error inporting the skin file,and possible causes are a corrupt skin file.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lat's try this baby