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XcOM
04-05-2007, 11:23 AM
My Computer Icon Mod (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=111788#post111788) <Link

As you all know in windows 2000, XP* and 2003* (*If classic style logon enabled) all look very bland, and common.

If you want your windows to standout then this is for you. Below i will explain how to change you start menu, Hard drive icons and you system title bars, Enjoy:

WARNING
Modifying your system files can cause problems if not peformed correctly. Failure to follow all procoutions beforehand will result in you screaming and pulling your hair out!

Always BACKUp your entire system or atleast the files your changing.

I can not and don't accept any damage to your system as a result of this tutorial. You peform this at your own risk. Enjoy8)

System Title Bars
If you recal when you change your system to use classic logon and turn off fast user switching you see what resembles windows 2000:
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/shutdown.jpg

the image we will be changing is the one below:
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/xp.png

First things first, you will need a resource extractor of some form, i personally use Resource Hacker (http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/), the screenshots to follow will be using resource hacker.

doing this is very simple: Copy the file:

c:\Windows\System32\MSGINA.dll
Copy to your work directory, i will be using

c:\mod

now open MSGINA.dll with resource hacker, open the BMP tree, then open both sub trees labeled

101
107
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/RES_BMP.PNG

notice the two items we see, labeled 1033, these are the BMP images we will be editing, there are only a few rules with the images, You CAN'T change the size, and they have to be single layer BMP images.

Item 101 is the small image, it is identical to 107 except 107 is taller by about 1/5.

Click "1033" in the "101" tree. and extract the BMP
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/extract_img.PNG

Next create your image to suit your needs, Just makesure its the same size as the orginal. Once done select replace BMP
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/img_rep.PNG

select the image you wish to replace it with, It is recommended to use 24bit BMP images.

http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/img_rep2.PNG

do the same for tree "107"

Once done save the file using "SAVE AS" it is important you use save as, this will leave the orgional intact incase you need to restore your file if it fails for some other unknown reason.

save your file as MSGINA_NEW.dll

it is quite aquard to apply this patch as your system is in constant use. So, i have found a very easy method. write a batch file (*.BAT)


@echo off
cls
echo this will apply the MSGINA MOD
Pause
copy c:\windows\system32\msgina.dll C:\windows\system32\msgina_backup.dll
copy MSGINA_NEW.dll C:\windows\system32\dllcache\msgina.dll /y
pause
copy MSGINA_NEW.dll c:\windows\system32\msgina.dll /y
pause
copy MSGINA_NEW.dll C:\windows\system32\dllcache\msgina.dll /y
pause
copy MSGINA_NEW.dll c:\windows\system32\msgina.dll /y
exit

save this as "apply_MSGINA.bat" (Minus " marks)
Yes, you do need to run the code twice, for some stange reason if you run it once it dosen't copy to the DLLCACHE folder and won't apply.

you will now need you install disc, insert your bootable CD of you os (2k, XP 2003)

Load setup, when asked press "R" to repair, this will take you into your recovery console, type:


CD \
CD MOD
apply_MSGINA.bat


this will copy your new files, restart and admire your hard work.

Start Menu

Always wanted to change the word "Start" to suit you, maybe your computer name, your screen name maybe. Well heres how:

First off, as above always make a backup. I will again be using Resource Hacker (http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/).

i will be using the work directory
c:\mod2
copy your explorer
c:\windows\Explorer.exe

There is where most of your system is located, and where most of the fun happens :twisted:

open explorer.exe in resource hacker, and locate "String Table-->37-->1033"
if you notice it has the words START
http://www.ash-net-uk.com/XcOM/TUTS/WindowsHack/001.PNG
Just change this to what ever you want, note there not a length limit on the start menu, you could have A-z if you like (Why you would is beyond me)

Once you have changed it, Click "Compile Script"

Now save your explorer.exe as Explorer_NEW.exe
once again we will be using a Batch file to apply the patch, although this time its alot easier.

BAT:


@echo off
cls
echo This will apply the Start menu MOD
echo
echo You do need to click cancel to windows file protection,
echo then Yes to The second File Protection popup.
Pause
copy c:\windows\Explorer.exe C:\windows\explorer_Backup.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe C:\windows\system32\dllcache\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe C:\windows\system32\dllcache\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe /y
c:\windows\explorer.exe
exit


save this as "Apply_START.bat" (Minus " marks)
now load task manager, and kill Explorer.exe,
start a new task->CMD
type:


cd \
cd mod2
apply_START.bat

Bucko
04-05-2007, 12:03 PM
I think I might give this a go on my spare system before I launch into my main computer to do it. If it crashes and burns, no real loss.

+rep

XcOM
04-05-2007, 12:20 PM
as your only replacing one system file, keep the backup, then if it does BURN, just get a bucket of water to it, and replace the MOD file with the orgional. VONDABAR

Bucko
04-05-2007, 12:22 PM
It's still nice to practice.

XcOM
04-05-2007, 12:35 PM
i had to reinstall my VPC about 6 times to get all my mods to work stable, i don't lik eusing skinners or crap like that, it always makes your system either insecure or slows it down,

Why pass CPU cycles to a skin when you can get windows to do it,

luciusad2004
04-05-2007, 01:28 PM
Great tutorial. I also don't like skinners that much. I love to see things like this as an alternative. +rep.

SgtM
04-05-2007, 10:27 PM
nice tut.. +rep

Ticien
04-06-2007, 09:18 AM
Good to see this, I hate the way the windows setup looks! +Rep

XcOM
06-20-2007, 02:49 PM
watch this space!
New tut in progress.

rendermandan
06-20-2007, 03:04 PM
Very intersting. Can you use this to change the colors?

XcOM
06-20-2007, 03:49 PM
Depends which colours you wish to change, system colour, font colour?

XcOM
06-20-2007, 04:24 PM
as i said i would, i updated the front page to this mod with the link, also here it is:

My Computer Icon Mod (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=111788#post111788)

rendermandan
06-20-2007, 04:35 PM
I'm referring to the green around the start logo and with that, the entire start bar button, and small windows logo

XcOM
06-20-2007, 04:39 PM
you can change the words start, the tool tip, the flag, but the green is part of the SHELLSTYLE.DLL for your current theme.

I am working on a way to edit this also for my on means. Will update when i done it

rendermandan
06-20-2007, 04:40 PM
excellent +Rep

XcOM
06-20-2007, 04:45 PM
thanks for the rep, i will update this tut at the week end, i found some more stuff you can edit.

I also found loads of other system files you can edit.

XcOM
06-21-2007, 04:01 PM
I'm referring to the green around the start logo and with that, the entire start bar button, and small windows logo

found it, editing now, just testing on VPC, if all goes well will test on real world PC, if still working will make tut for yu.

Mysteriphys
09-01-2007, 08:24 AM
question, does this absolutely require reboot with the repair function? I have a streamline OS it's basicly just throw in and in a couple hours you get xp! so, I don't really have the repair function, no soup for me?

XcOM
09-02-2007, 07:06 AM
in a word, Sort of,ok that was 2,

but the file MSGIUNA.dll is always in use, there is a way to get files to copy upon boot, ut i can't rem how.

you might be able to use "save mode Command Prompt"

im not sure, safe mode didn't work when i tried it.

Mysteriphys
09-02-2007, 09:02 AM
how about a copy of knoppix? boot up in live mode swap the files and good to go?

Mysteriphys
09-02-2007, 12:30 PM
it worked, I had to mount the hdxx as rw, but after I did that copy file and go! thanks again for the tuts and all, +rep!

Mysteriphys
09-02-2007, 01:55 PM
ok I'm guessing it didn't work :-/ I copied the files and whatnot for the explorer deal and they changed their filesize but no cigar on changing the start button text.

The boy 4rm oz
09-03-2007, 09:10 AM
if you want good mods, go to www.wincustomise.com and download the ones you like, some provided software is required. Rages from themes, cursors, skins, suites, sounds, icons,logons, loading screens...the lot, has everything you need.

.Maleficus.
09-03-2007, 10:33 AM
if you want good mods, go to www.wincustomize.com and download the ones you like, some provided software is required. Rages from themes, cursors, skins, suites, sounds, icons,logons, loading screens...the lot, has everything you need.
Fixed your link. The other site redirected to a spam site.

The boy 4rm oz
09-03-2007, 10:50 AM
Thanks, probably typed it wrong, didn't check the link.

XcOM
09-03-2007, 06:44 PM
i used to use wincustomize myself, i've moved away from it,m i personally prefur to mod windows files, removed the chance of system slowdown,

when you copied your files over, did you copy them into the DLLCACHE folder by any chance, failure to do so will cause MSGINA.dll to be copied by the orginal.

XcOM
09-03-2007, 06:47 PM
as for the start menu, its explorer, and once done, it will reset back to "START" when you use windows update, as it see's it as an invalid file, and replaces it.

Mysteriphys
09-06-2007, 10:13 PM
ok makes sense, I'll leave it for now, I'm slowly switching to ubuntu anyhow

slytherock
10-28-2007, 03:01 AM
Now save your explorer.exe as Explorer_NEW.exe
once again we will be using a Batch file to apply the patch, although this time its alot easier.

BAT:


@echo off
cls
echo This will apply the Start menu MOD
echo
echo You do need to click cancel to windows file protection,
echo then Yes to The second File Protection popup.
Pause
copy c:\windows\Explorer.exe C:\windows\explorer_Backup.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe C:\windows\system32\dllcache\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe C:\windows\system32\dllcache\explorer.exe /y
copy Explorer_NEW.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe /y
c:\windows\explorer.exe
exit


save this as "Apply_START.bat" (Minus " marks)
now load task manager, and kill Explorer.exe,
start a new task->CMD
type:


cd \
cd mod2
apply_START.bat


It's a great tutorial, but I was wondering: why would I want to do this step???
it's much more easier to change the original explorer.exe that is hided in: C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache


Edit: In fact, after doing a couple of tests: you only need to change the explorer.exe in C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache and the one in C:\WINDOWS no need for the .bat, the Boot CD or even reboot: just close the session and reopen it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/slytherock/300.jpg