Skinning Windows XP

[Maverick]

Ok so I had a really cool Vista-look skin on my Windows XP HE sp2. I managed to get it a couple of months ago using a tutorial on a site for windows tweaks I found.
However, yesterday my windows decided to download and install Service Pack 3. Since the restart after, the skin was all messed up, so I decided to reinstall the skin but it didn't work. As soon as I go to desktop properties and select the theme, the system tells me that it 'can't load the visual styles because it can't load the files. Details: (nothing)'. Tried many times, same thing happens over and over again. So now I'm stuck with the uber ugly default XP themes.

Is there anyone of you computer wizzes here who knows how I can make the skinning of Windows XP work again? I really like the Vista themes and would really like it back. Any help would be helpful.

Oh by the way: if you can post your help in a step-by-step way, we can make this thread a tutorial for others wanting to skin their XP.

P.S.: It wasn't all misery caused by SP3. It somehow seems to have gotten rid of that uber-annoying DCOM error message I have been getting for a couple of months now. Cross my fingers it stays that way...

[Magnum]

Heys Mav

Google For " CRYSTAL XP THEMES "

This is more than a theme , actually its an interface , it shows all your windows changed. all

icons / appearance / Cpanel / menus / new options / new looks / bars / categories / folders / and more.

XENON

[Maverick]

Yeah that's where I got my Vista themes in the first place. It's the best site I know of for things like that. Unfortunately the error remains.

[Magnum]

oh how come ?

i have the Vista version "blue one " and the Longhorn Version " Black one " and the Crystal XP one

And the 3 of them works Fine With me !! -- maybe it's some errors cause by the theme on ur windows from a corrupted File Source ?

PS: i have granted Working fine versions - if you need send , just lemme know m8

Respect and regards
XENON

[Maverick]

I don't know what causes the problem. I can use the patch program, I can extract the skin files to C:/WINDOWS/RESOURCES/THEMES without problems. When I go to rightclick desktop, properties, the skin has been loaded into the menu, but if I select it, I get an error message saying it can't load the files... The error message seems bugged as well, because it says 'Details:' but doesn't give any, and the 'Details:' is located in a very illogical spot in the error window.

I bet it has something to do with Service Pack 3, since the problem occurred right after I installed that. Another Microsoft product causing grief.

[Magnum]

well

since the ERROR msg itself having an error , then i guess you are right m8 , its the windows , - maybe a fast re install will help - and good luck.

XENON

[Maverick]

Yeah I thought about reinstalling Windows. Shame I don't have an installation cd-rom lol. This computer came with Windows already installed. Although it has a recovery program, I'm not feeling for that atm. Would mean backing up all my stuff and I wouldn't know where lol.
Thanks anyway.

[Maverick]

*BUMP* Still need some help here.

[Burn]

deleted

[Maverick]

If you like dark, try the 'Concave' Dark one.

[Burn]

edited

[Maverick]

Yup...

[DodgerMP]

Have you tried to remove the folder and all trace of the theme that was there before Service Pack 3 installed? Do that then re-extract the files for the theme into the folder again.  

[quote="MAVERICK";p="184547"]I bet it has something to do with Service Pack 3, since the problem occurred right after I installed that. Another Microsoft product causing grief.[/quote]

I would not call it that, Windows XP is Windows XP if you want the look of Vista then get it and install it on your computer.  

[Maverick]

Yes I also tried that. However, there is one skin folder in the Themes folder that doesn't want to leave. It says it's protected... I am talking about the Luna mod folder, a third-party skin.

I would not call it that, Windows XP is Windows XP if you want the look of Vista then get it and install it on your computer.

There are plenty of resources you can use to make your XP look like Vista. It doesn't involve big changes, and doesn't cause any problems. Most of the time...

[DodgerMP]

Try booting windows in Safe Mode by hitting F8 when you first turn the computer on, be sure to do this before the Windows boot screen comes up. Log in as the Administrator and delete the folder in question.