Converting Windows 98 Themes into Windows XP Theme

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Drixoman - 15 Aug 2006 21:29 GMT

I have several theme left from the old windows 98. i want to be able to use
them in my new XP system. Is there anyway I can do that? I have tried to
load the theme into the display properties but nothing turn out good. I do
not favour third-party software so if there is anyway I can customize windows
please tell me.

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NewScience - 15 Aug 2006 23:53 GMT

You can to a certain point. You need to create a .theme file and place in
C:\Windows\Resources\Themes.
Somethins will not work ... but look at the examples in Themes folder.

>I have several theme left from the old windows 98. i want to be able to
>use
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> windows
> please tell me.

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Alec S. - 29 Aug 2006 17:17 GMT

> You can to a certain point. You need to create a .theme file and place in
> C:\Windows\Resources\Themes.
> Somethins will not work ... but look at the examples in Themes folder.

I do believe that Windows 9x themes are compatible with XP themes. If I remember correctly, the Plus! pack introduced the concept
of themes and the format has not significantly changed since.

Oh, and it's better if you put themes in a folder in My Documents instead of in the Windows directory. The theme tab of Display
Properties populates the theme list by looking for .theme files in \Windows\Resources\Themes as well as ALL first-level folders in
My Documents. Create a folder in My Documents called Themes and put all the themes you make in there.

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<*(((>< - 31 Aug 2006 03:04 GMT

Hi Alec,

What do you mean by "first level folders in My documents?"

I've changed My Documents to C:\Documents.
I've also got a folder called C:\Settings. I'm gradually getting
application data, email messages, temporary files, etc. to use that
folder.

Could I put the THEMES folder inside of C:\Settings? Is it a
"first-level folder?" Would that keep the darn things all in one
place? Thanks!

Awaiting your responses with baited breath, I remain, yours truly,

<*(((>< ~~~

>> You can to a certain point. You need to create a .theme file and place in
>> C:\Windows\Resources\Themes.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Properties populates the theme list by looking for .theme files in \Windows\Resources\Themes as well as ALL first-level folders in
>My Documents. Create a folder in My Documents called Themes and put all the themes you make in there.

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Alec S. - 31 Aug 2006 05:09 GMT

> What do you mean by "first level folders in My documents?"

First-level inside the My Documents folder; eg
"My Documents\Pictures",
"My Documents\test",
etc.
NOT
"My Documents\Foo\Bar",
"My Documents\baz\blah\test\nah",
etc.

> I've changed My Documents to C:\Documents.

How exactly did you do this? TweakUI?

> I've also got a folder called C:\Settings. I'm gradually getting
> application data, email messages, temporary files, etc. to use that
> folder.

How exactly are you getting them to use it?

So then you've got these?:
C:\Windows
C:\Program Files
C:\Documents and Settings
C:\Documents
C:\Settings

> Could I put the THEMES folder inside of C:\Settings? Is it a
> "first-level folder?" Would that keep the darn things all in one
> place? Thanks!

It depends on whether or not C:\Settings is set up as your "My Documents" folder. Windows keeps track of a single "My Documents"
folder for each user. You can change the specific folder that this variable points to. If your "My Documents" folder points to
C:\Settings, then yes, you can make "C:\Settings\Themes" and put all your .THEME files in there. You cannot however put them in
"C:\Settings\stuff\Themes", "C:\Settings\Themes\Blue", "C:\Settings\Themes\Simpsons", "C:\Settings\Themes\Star Wars", etc.-well
actually you can, but they won't show up in the list.

When you open the Display Properties dialog, the Themes tab is the one that shows first, and thus loads the available themes by
looking for .THEME files. First it looks in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes, then it looks in EVERY SINGLE folder in "My Documents"
(but only in the first level, not subfolders of folders in "My Documents"). Therefore, .THEME files from "My Documents\Pictures",
"My Documents\Music", and so on will also be added to the list.

HTH

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Alec S.
news/alec->synetech/cjb/net

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