PixOS - how to install

from WinCustomize Forums
I purchased the PixOS suite from Pixtudio and can't get the suite to load. Supposedly, you're just supposed to run an executable and all the skins will load. No such luck.

After running the .exe file, I'm left with an .XPtheme file. If I load this file in WinStyles, the preview of the suite shows up, but you can't load any of the individual themes. You can't even load the whole suite. All that is loaded is the XPCursor theme and the Trillion theme. I've searched for the WB theme and the Object Bar theme and they're nowhere to be found.

This also happened with the Universal Metal suite. Can someone help me get this suite installed? I can't understand why Pixtudio doesn't just package all of the seperate themes in a simple zip file so the user can install what they want. This trying to get fancy stuff just causes headaches. I don't think anyone at Pixtudio even tests the installation procedure.

Sorry to rant, but after paying for the suite, I would hope it would work.

Thanks for any help.
5,548 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not sure the proper answer to your problem but you could try this:

Open up the xptheme file with a zip program (since that what an xptheme file really is) You should find all the various skins in in appropraite folders within the zip file. You can copy them from the zip file to the appropriate location. (for instance the windowblinds skin file to your program files/object desktop/windowblinds/pixOS directory )
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
We are sorry YMark, if you need help contact us by email [email protected]

The installer made by Stardock seems to not work properly with their own products, we are planning to update it soon and to not use the installer anymore.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alexadrie, I have already sent you an email. If you can send me the individual theme files in a single zip file, that would be great. I unzipped the .xptheme file and all that is in there are a boatload of .bmp files and some .ini file. I could probably piece these together but it would take a looooong time. I could find the .wb4 or whatever window blinds file is used.

Thanks for the help though.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
YMark, I'm assuming you have a very good idea what you are talking about, but let me ask you this...
You are saying that what you are left with is a single zip file with lotsa bitmaps and one or more ini files in it
and that is all.. is this correct?

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Do you have Winstyles installed? Would probably save you some time by just installing that...then the pixOS .xptheme will show up in your Winstyles tab....probably
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
JamMeister33: The download file from Pixtudio is a .exe file. When you launch the .exe file it extracts and tries to load the suite. What it really does is extract a .XPtheme file that is supposed to be used in WinStyles. It also automatically installs a wallpaper, the cursors, and the Trillion theme. After completing this .exe execution, WinStyles is automatically launched. If you've ever used WinStyles you know that you select different "items" to skin and also select the "suite" used to skin these items. The problem is that the PixOS theme is not available to select. There is no PixOS theme in which to select.

davad70: Yes, I have Winstyles installed. And it should work as you state. That is my arguement. The PixOS .xptheme shows up, but it doesn't skin anything. Frustrating. I can use Winstyles on other suites no problem.

Thanks again for all the help. I hope Alexandrie sends me the individual skins. She has stated that there is a problem.

Hellooooo Alexandri...... she'll come through.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
check your email... is your address here the right one? if not email me.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmmm.. I unzipped it and I was able to find the individual themes no problem... hmmm... but if you have winstyles installed that makes it easier... what I noticed was the first time installed it... it didn't load all of the themes... but it did copy them to the proper directories.. so what I had to do was manually load them through window blinds and such... but they were in the list in windowblinds, and icons packager and such... hmm... so try opening those programs and see if pix os is the list just an idea

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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I unzipped the .XPtheme file and got them working. When I first unzipped, I just looked at all the files and didn't do the extract because I just saw a cluster of .bmp files. After doing the extract, all the themes were in seperate folders. I was then able to load them individually.

Thanks everyone for the help.