Windows XP Themes and Styles

[IsZi]

Well, today I had the thought to go out and track down soem Theme/Style mods for my OS. Of course, I know there are plenty of apps out there that you can run on top of Windows to add extra Theme/Style support, but I wanted to find just a quick download that would utilize Windows XP's native capabilities.

What I found was that, while Windows XP does support Themes and Visual Styles, the "MSSTYLE" format (Used for Windows XP Visual Styles) is protected. Windows XP will not accept any MSSTYLE file that has not been digitally signed by Microsoft, and the only one that I know of that is, is the LUNA.MSSTYLE file (Default Style for Windows XP). There are plenty of MSSTYLE downloads out there, but they require you to run a 3rd-party app on top of Windows to be able to use them.

Does anyone know of a patch/hack to work around this, without having to constantly have an extra program loaded into memory?

[IsZi]

Okay, think I found a hack. But it takes breaking open a DLL file with a Hex Editor:

http://www.virtualplastic.org/html/win_xp.html#3

Anyone know a good hex editor?
Maybe even teach me what the hell they're talking about here?
I've got a vague idea, but would prefer if I could have someone help me, who knows what they're doing.

[Mschadt]

Try hackman (http://download.com.com/3000-2352-10163734.html?tag=lst-0-1).
The offsets are just the address of the actual byte. In hackman just go to 'Read' 'Jump To Hex offset' and copy paste those offsets in and then overwrite the strings. Just be sure to make a couple back up files, before mucking up too much.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Well, have you considered downloading Plus! Its a simple solution that gives you a couple of themes.

[IsZi]

Hehe... funny thing about Plus! There's no actual new Styles that come with it. I looked at the web page for it. All it is is the same color schemes that come with Windows, put together with some new pictures, cursors, and icons.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Ahhh, i never really played with it. I have installed it, but never really got into specifics.

[Father-Time.]

I like and use windowblinds. There is another also out called NEXTSTEP i think.
Give them both a try, they are great.


Sel

[-=DoW=- Dsotm]

Get Stylexp from http://www.tgtsoft.com/ from there you can hundreds of free themes from http://www.themexp.org/ - its what i use

[Father-Time.]

Here is a cool link, Loads o free stuff
http://software.deviantart.com/

Sel

[Acedeal]

how to used hackman

http://www.dow-sniper.net/hackman_edit.htm

http://www.dow-sniper.net/images/logos/hackma1.jpg</p>

At offset 0x00009C27, change "02" to "00";

So you do a jump to 00009C27 and Change the hex 02 to 00, then just follow those direction on that page you posted.. I do not have that file they are talking about , or would show ya the exact place to edit..

I just opened the first dll that I knew of.. Evilhack :)

[-=DoW=- SledgeHammer]

I'm not positive, but to me, it looks like you could launch an missile with that jibber-ish? Either that or it's the raw code for the nude pic of Martha Stewart that I've heard about? Not sure though.

[IsZi]

Nude Martha Stewart, eh? :shock: :lol:

[-=DoW=- cecoto]

Check this out.
http://www.themexp.org/
http://www.getskinned.org/

[Father-Time.]

Cool links Cecoto!! :banger: