I installed litestep, and of course it defaulted to simplicity. I was quite pleased with it's performance. I had tried Stardock (Windowblinds, ObjectBar, and IconPackager all at once) and was not please with how it screwed up system resources.
At any rate, I started feeling a bit frogy, and tried to install and change the thime. I downoaded clearsky_3_ and lite xp.
I followed the directions in the .htm file that came with litestep exactly, however, when I changed the thime, nothing happened, and I could not do anything. I re-statted my computer, and still couldn't do anything. I re-started in safe mode, and still, nothing.
I eventually had to re-start in dos mode, and changed the shell= line in the system.ini file back to explorer.exe.
Can anyone help me learn how to change themes?
thanks!
Those themes might not be OTS or you might want to make sure you have an OTS litestep build, thats really useful when you first start out.
First...get a shell-swapping program(like ShellOn, for example), so you won't have to do the DOS thing. Second...use LSCP to switch themes.
Big thing: press Ctrl-Alt-F1 when you get into trouble like you have been.
Get the fixed LSTS.
http://charliehamster.co.uk/litestep.html. That link should be in the forums 1000 times already. :P
I swear to god...I post an answer to this exact same problem almost every day!!! ok, try ilmcuts fix first, if that doesn't do it, then go here and follow my instructions:
http://www.litestep.net/index.php?section=4&action=view&catId=2&id=1218. oh, and stop running 9x. ;)
win98SE is the best, the only non 9x version worth using is ME, all the others are really annoying and have loads of problems, and for the sake of a snazzy theme, switching to XP is asking for trouble!
dunno, running xp and i have nice antialiasing 'n stuff. no complaints here :/
"the only non 9x version worth using is ME" WHAT? I (and EVERYONE I KNOW) avoid ME like the plague. actually, more like the plague that the plague is afraid of. I REFUSE to support ME. I've been offered $50/hour to fix something on an ME machine, and I flat out refused it. now, 98se was a very stable and efficient OS, and I liked it at the time, but it's time is over.
deuce: just wondering...what's wrong with using LSCP to switch themes? That's all I ever use...
huh?? there's nothing wrong with using LSCP (and I don't remember ever saying there WAS). the only reason I can think of for even MENTIONING it is to use it INSTEAD of lsts, because it's not susceptible to the same bug the old version of lsts is(doesn't work if there's no .thm). if I DID say not to use lscp, well, my bad, I didn't mean to. show me where, and I'll edit that post saying I was smoking crack at the time, or something. ;)
No...no...don't get all defensive! You said to try ilmcuts' fix first, and I was just wondering if there was something wrong with using LSCP. You see, if there is something wrong, then I would stop suggesting it to people as a fix for their theme switching problems.
LSCP rewrites $litestepdir$step.rc while LSTS only edits the appropriate lines, so if you put some extra lines in there they'll be gone after you used LSCP. Plus LSCP can't automatically change the wallpaper to the one the themer provided.
Well, I didnot mean to star a war, but at any rate, according to the instruction files (.htm) that came with the build that I downloaded from ohussian, you have to re-name step.rc to somethign like step_back.rc, then paste in the step.rc file that comes with your theme. I have a hunch this was my problem.
Also, the 'lite xp' theme that I downloaded did not show up in LSTS.
I want to thank all of your for your help. I'm a newbie here, and you guys treat newbies well!
Heh! There's no war, calloway...I don't know enough to battle anyone on here! haa!
Anyway, thanks for the rundown, ilmcuts.
OK, I'm getting frustraited. I did everything you all recommedted, I downloaded the LSTS patch, and everything, and I still get the same problem when trying to change to clarsky theme. I'm getting "Cannot load module" erros now.
I must admit, the ctl-alt-F1 thing is a life saver!
well, "cannot load module" is completely different. first, go into the step.rc, look for the line where it loads that module, and make sure that the module is actually where the step.rc is looking for it. also, make sure that the step.rc line calling that module is spelled right.
You'll also get that message if the module is not compatible with your OS, although you should get an additional error message in this case.
ilmcuts, "not compatible with your OS"? do you mean your windows version?? just curious what you mean. :)
erm, yeah. That's what I meant. =) There are a few modules that are win2k/xp only.
Since when is ME not a 9x version of Windows?
As for windows version wars, let's not start this. It's annoying and pointless, as people are going to use what they are going to use. If it works for them, it works for them. Not everyone has the ability to update every time Windows releases a new 300$ "patch".
Some ideas in a different vein...
I have noticed that some OTS compliant themes are a bit messed up when installed by LSTS. It usually has something to do with the zip file creating extra directories placing the modules etc. one or two levels deeper than the paths specified in the step.rc
Also there is the "stdtep.rc" bug in LSTS. Check the theme config info in LSTS to make sure it's trying to load the properly named file.
90% of the problems I've found with themes not loading are caused by these two things. Easy enough to fix...
Cheers,
Dave
The sdttep.rc bug is exactly what the patched LSTS fixes. It only occurred if the themer did not put a .thm file into the theme zip. The patched LSTS ignores that.
I have similar problem and ctrl-alt-f1 does jack, all I did was try to load a theme that apparently doesn't work well with the default theme installer and I'm wondering if there is a way to just revert to previous theme or to the default.......please help!
Its impossible to change back to simplicity once you change away from it.
Edit: I wont be sarcastic ever again DrWorm.
"Its impossible to change back to simplicity once you change away from it."
Impossible? I think not. If you can't get to LSTS or LSCP then just open the ...\litestep\step.rc file and change the paths to a theme that does work (simplicity). Check taskmanager for a running instance of LS and close it. Then just run litestep.exe and you've successfully changed themes.
Edit: Sorry, Mr Goat. Sarcasm is difficult to spot when it's written :)
Hi, ima newb and getting shatted all over. I downloaded the LiteStep installer and did all that good stuff. I too got a lil antsy and downloaded Elegance-16 off of WinCustomize.com, After following the theme2.htm file my system completely locks and LS is (Not Responding). I know this is a bitch question, you said youve anwsered it enough. One more time? Please?
"my system completely locks"
Are you sure? To me a "lock" means you can't do anything include move your mouse, press Ctrl+Alt+Del or ctrl+alt+F1. If you can do any of these things then all the information you need has already been posted on this forum.
Maybe you should change back to simplicity, and then do some more reading.
Good call, I was a lil quick to post. Let me read up. Ive attempted to use another Theme and its the same problem, shows part of the Warf and I get no responce. The mouse, Alt-shft-ctrl-f12 (ShellOn) works and ctrl-alt-f1 works, so I will look around. Hopefully I wont return, but in anycase Thank you
Like Mr Goat suggested, try changing back to Simplicity. If simplicity doesn't work then the problem may be a little more serious and you might want to post a new thread to discuss it.
hey, rather legit question I beleive. I have foind a OST comp. theme to appempt. But his readme is telling me to copy and past the code from his INI to my Modules.ini, which I dont have.... should I just copy the file into my c:\litestep folder?
edit: I am on simplicity now and it works fine. I have installed the latest version of indistep and its all good. When i !Recycled right after i read the last directions (which was !Recycle) I saw the warf, but all the modules were in a incorrectly named file. Took care of that, but now after i recycle i get nothing. Blank grey desktop, with nothing. ctrl-alt-f1 works, but thats about it... can someone assist a little I have spent a lot of time reading today and it just isnt adding up.
holy ***** it worked!!! WOO HOO!!!
thats a very rewarding feeling...sorry for bothering everyone. Youve been more patient than most forums im new too
edit: ohh hell...all this for this? This theme isnt half i thought it would be...damnit
time for you to get crackin on your own theme then.
Lol atleast you got it to work with a minimal amount of walking through :)
i tried changing my theme and i acidently clicked LOAD AT STARTUP,and when i restart my computer, i see NOTHING at all ,not even the task bar,just the back ground thats it.can someone help me plz
OH MY GOD! is this the lsts issue again??? if it is, could anyone smack me in the head so i'd wake up again!?!
@ kitseth: search these forums for "lsts issue" or sth like that and be sure to check the "search post replies" checkbox.
EDIT: whoa man, forget the searching! just scroll up and read!
ok thanx,i have another question,how to u install a theme,can u tell me step by step, please
All OTS themes have a readme file that will explain how to install the theme "step by step".
well, they're all
supposed to have it. for the ones that don't, it's available at
http://beyondconvention.net/ohussain/ots/install_generic.txt.
Do u have another link about the step by step instalation nzamaide? that link is brocken
no...its not broken...just has an extra . on the end of the link
were can i get shellon... and how do i fix my system.ini file?
Firehawk, did you even TRY to look for it? Try google.
What's the matter with your system.ini file? If you don't give us details, you won't get any help.
i just installed the LSTS and i have no taskbar or desktop now. im having to hit ctrl alt delete to switch between windows. should i reboot? what do i do?