Table of Contents:
1) Read this or Die! (Getting an Up-to-date Unzipping
Program First)
A) AOL Users should Note
B) All Other Users
2) Changing your Screen Settings (in order to use
Cursors , Icons and Themes)
3) Previewing Cursors
4) Installing Cursors
5) Installing Icons
6) Installing Start-up Logos
A) Short Version
B) Long Version (Includes note on "Compressed
Drives" and other potential problems.)
7) Using Themes
A) If you have "MS-Plus!"
B) If you don't have
"MS-Plus!"
C) If your Theme "Crashes"
D) Restoring your Font
(Lettering)
E) Where's the Screen
Saver?
8) Animated GIFs
9) "When will you have (such and such) done?" / "Can you make
(something-or-other) for me?"
OTHER NOTES:
Download a copy of these Instructions, to read
offline.
Emailing me.
(1) "Read this or Die!" (Getting an Up-to-date
Unzipping Program First)
This section is titled to get your attention. It covers the most common
mistake people make.
A) AOL members are used to having their software
automatically decompress files, at least when you download from AOL's Library.
This is a feature built into AOL software, that does not work on any
"web site" downloads. Web sites have to rely on its users to "Unzip"
the files themselves. That's why all web surfers need an Unzipping
Program. "Zipping" a file not only saves memory and download time,
but also allows many files to be stored in a single download. (Now Read part
B.)
B) You may already have an Unzipping program, like "PKZIP".
This is not good enough. Older programs don't recognize "long
filenames". Windows 95 allows you to name files with more than eight
letters, and more than three "extensions, where Windows 3.1 and DOS do not.
Older Unzipping programs cut off or abbreviate the TRUE filenames.
In the case of Themes, it renders them useless. (Because the
filenames no longer match what they were intended to be).
For example "South Park Fun.Theme" is a long filename. The first part
is more than eight letters long, and the "extension" (the letters after the
".") is longer than three. Now, if you use an older Unzipping
Program, it may translate the filename to something like "Sout~1.The" or
"South.The". In any case, your Desktop Themes program will not be able
to find or use it. Simply renaming the Theme file won't work, because
many of the items in the Theme also use long filenames. SO, you MUST
have an unzipper that supports long filenames!!
Go to this site: "WinZip - Nico
Mak Computing". (http://www.winzip.com/) Download
the latest version of WinZip. Double-click on the file that you get
to Install it. You can now Double-click on ANY file that ends with
".ZIP" and choose "Extract" to get all the files in it. It's
best if you send the unzipped files to an EMPTY file folder (a.k.a. directory).
This way you can look through the files to make sure they're actually
what you want, before you move them to the folder that will be their permanent
"home". The ".ZIP" files can be "unzipped" as many times as you like.
Unzipping does not actually "remove" anything from a ZIP file.
Now then, you're all set to read any of the other
instructions.
(^ Menu)
2) Changing your Screen Settings (in order to use
Cursors , Icons and Themes)
These are 256-color Animated Cursors: Be sure to have your Settings at "HIGH
COLOR(16-bit)" or Greater, and your Icons set at "Large".
For "HIGH-COLOR": Be sure your Monitor can display SVGA FIRST! (over 256 colors). (You should already know this. I can't tell you. Odds are good that if you bought a Pentium or decent 486 computer (with a new monitor), you can, but you never know.)
Click the "START"(Button), pick "SETTINGS", "CONTROL PANEL", choose "Display Properties".
Pick the "Settings" Tab.
Use the dropdown menu under the words "Color Palette" to select
"High Color (16 bit)".
Now hit the "Apply" button. If prompted to, "ShutDown" and "Restart" the
computer. * (Always use the "START - ShutDown" Menu!! NEVER just turn a Windows95
Computer Off!!!!)
(^ Menu)
3) Previewing Cursors
So, you have a long list of Cursor files, and no way to look at each one
without installing them one by one. Well, there are two ways to "preview"
each animation.
A quick way to check each Animation (assuming you don't have MicroAngelo)
is to RIGHT-CLICK on the ANI file and select "PROPERTIES".
(The "Preview" will run much more slowly than the actual "Applied" Animation,
but at least you get to see it without having to actually install each
one!)
A better way to Preview the Cursors is to use the Program "MicroAngelo".
It's a free trial program ("shareware") that allows you to make your
own Icons and Animated Cursors. Installing it will allow you to simply
Double-click on the .ANI file you want -- even if it's still zipped -- and
see the animation. (You could also make or edit Cursors and also Icons.)
Go to this site and download
"MicroAngelo":
(http://www.impactsoft.com/). Once installed, Double-clicking
on any ".CUR", ".ANI", or ".ICO" file will open it up for editing. In
the case of ".ANI" files (animated cursors), you would then push the "play"
button (a Right Arrow) to see the animation. It will run at the correct
speed.
(^ Menu)
4) Installing Cursors
Here are quick instructions for putting 'South Park' Animated Cursors into
your Desktop. To Change a Pointer, Adjustment Cursor, or the "Wait/Busy"
Animation do the following...
Click the "START"(Button), pick "SETTINGS", "CONTROL PANEL", "MOUSE", then
the "POINTERS" Tab.
Double-click on the Cursor you want to REPLACE and 'Browse' your files for the one you want to use as its replacement. (It's in whatever folder you put the ".ANI " Cursor files in.)
Select the one you want, then hit "Apply".
Repeat as needed.
You can then save your choices by clicking "SAVE AS" (Scheme) and picking
a name for it.
If you want to make your own Cursors, go to this site and download
"MicroAngelo":
(http://www.impactsoft.com/). It's a free trial program
("shareware").
(^
Menu)
5) Installing Icons
This is the Site that has all the Icons I use: "Just South of South
Park!" ( http://www.lockergnome.com/southpark/ ). Once you have them, here's
what you do...
(1) If you have a "Shortcut" you wish to change the Icon of - RIGHT-CLICK
on it, pick PROPERTIES, then the "Shortcut"(tab) and choose "Change Icon".
(You can then "Browse" for a Replacement. Just Remember never to move
or erase that Icon from the Location it was "Browsed" from. --Or everything
will revert to some "Generic" looking Icon. (i.e. Keep your ".ICO" files
in one safe Folder.) This trick only works on "Shortcuts" NOT on any
other files!!
(2) If you have "Plus!", you can replace the "My Computer", "Network", and
"Recycle Bin" Icons on your Desktop.
Push START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - Display - Plus! (tab)
If you don't have "MS-Plus!", read section 7 B), Entitled 'If you
don't have "MS-Plus!"'
If you want to make your own Icons, go to this site and download
"MicroAngelo":
(http://www.impactsoft.com/). It's a free trial program
("shareware").
(^
Menu)
6) Installing Start-up Logos
This section is a bit long, to explain a few odd things about "system"
files (.SYS). I use my South Park Logo as an example. Start-Up
Logos replace the Microsoft Logo that you see every time your computer is
turned on or Reset.
A) Short Version: This is for installing
Win95 "Southpark" Animated Logo. ("SouthParkLogo.SYS")
It's really not hard, just RENAME the ".SYS" file I gave you (once you've unzipped it, of course), to replace the file "Logo.SYS" in C:\ directory. (Or whatever your boot/main Directory is.) Thus "SouthParkLogo.SYS" becomes "Logo.SYS". After you Rename the Original "Logo.sys", you put the one I gave you into the C:\ Directory. To "Rename" a file, Right-click on it and choose "rename" from the menu.
PLEASE NOTE: You MAY want to rename the original "Logo.sys" first, in case you want it back. Rename it something like "LogoOld.SYS". If not, you could just dump a Renamed copy of my ".SYS" file into C:\ and agree to "overwrite" the file. Doing this will prevent you from ever getting the previous Logo back. (You can never see the "Microsoft Windows" opening again.)
IF YOU DON'T SEE ANY ".SYS" FILES: The ".SYS" file type is usually hidden in most people's computers using "Windows 95". Hence, you might have trouble in finding *.sys files for installing the Logo. To see these hidden files, you can use either suggestion below.
Hit START. Choose Programs. Pick "Windows Explorer". Choose "View", then select Options... In the View Tab, enable "Show all files". Hit "Apply". Then "Okay". You should now see all the .SYS files. Go back and follow the normal instructions.
(^ Menu)
B) Long Version of Help: (Taken from XrX Logos -
Link at the end.)
NOTE: "Logo.sys" is in C:\ or "main directory".
Win 95 Animated Start-up Logo Installation Instructions... Extract the new
.SYS file to a temporary directory. (The one you got from me.) Move
(backup) original start-up logo, "LOGO.SYS" from the root directory of your
boot drive, usually C:\ to another temporary directory. (Or rename is something
like "LogoOld.sys")
(If you are using a compression utility or cannot locate the logo.sys file, please see the notes below.)
Restart your computer and you're done.
Important Notes: *.sys file type is usually hidden in most people's
computers under Win95. Hence, you might have trouble in finding *.sys files
for copying files. To see these hidden files, you can use either suggestion
below. Go to Explorer choose View menu, then select Options... In the
dialog, enable "Show all files". OR, use a DOS window, in which most *.sys
files can be viewed normally.
If you are using a compression utility on your boot drive, you must put logo.sys
in the host for that drive. (For example, if drive C: is compressed and its
host is the G: drive, then logo.sys should be placed in the root directory
of the G: drive.)
The default logo.sys is embedded in IO.SYS file. If you cannot find logo.sys
in your drives, including the host drive (see above), chances are Win95 is
using the logo that is embedded in io.sys as your start up logo. In this
case, you don't have logo.sys to backup. Simply place the new logo.sys in
the root directory of your boot (host) drive. Logo.sys in the root directory
will take precedence over the one embedded in io.sys file. To get back to
the original win95 logo, simply rename the logo.sys to other name.
To restore the original win95 logo, you must save (backup) the file in step
2. Then just copy the original logo to the designated directory.
Creator of original Software for this purpose: kmcmurdo@nucleus.com
His Website: "XrX Animated Start-up Logos" (http://www.nucleus.com/~kmcmurdo/logos/)
(Please Visit -- LOTS of Win95 Logos, and Shareware to make your
own!)
(^
Menu)
7) Using Themes
What is a "Theme"? A Theme is simply a collection of Sounds (.WAV), Icons
(.ICO), Cursors (.CUR or .ANI), wallpaper (.BMP or .JPG) and a file that
tells the computer where they all should go (.THEME). Microsoft sells
a CD, called "Plus!" that added the ability for Windows 95 to use Theme
files.
(^ Menu)
A) If you have "MS-Plus!"
After unzipping them, dump ALL the files you got from the "SPkTheme.zip"
(or whatever Theme's ZIP you have) into your "C:\Program Files\PLUS!\Themes"
directory. (There are about 45 files in the Theme.)
Go to the Control Panel. (Under START/Settings) Select "DESKTOP THEMES".
In the Top 'DropDown Menu' scroll to the Theme "South Park Fun" (or the name of any other Theme you've installed).
Choose it. Then push the APPLY button in the lower right corner.
Regarding ALL FILES on this Site; (Especially the "Themes"): You MUST have
an Up-To-Date Unzipping Program!! One that supports "long filenames". (Or
you'll see this ~ mark in some filenames and the Theme will not work!!! Thus
the file "South Park Fun.Theme", becomes either "South~1.The" or "SouthP.The"
or the like. ) If the Theme fails to appear in the List of available
Themes, this is most likely your problem. Please read "1) Read this
or Die! (Getting an Up-to-date Unzipping Program First)".
(^ Menu)
B) If you don't have "MS-Plus!"
There is an alternative to having "Plus!". It's called "Desktop
Themes".
Go here and download
"Desktop Theme
Utility" (http://www.danworld.com/themes/utilities.shtml).
It's at a Site called
"DanWorld".
(http://www.danworld.com)
Once installed, read the instructions that come on a .TXT file within its
ZIP. As far as I can tell, the only thing different is that you will
have to "Browse" for the actual ".THEME" file you want to use, rather than
just using a "dropdown" menu. Still, you should use their instructions,
rather than mine.
(^ Menu)
C) If your Theme "Crashes"
This is the second most popular problem, after people who didn't bother
to use "WinZip". If a Theme "crashes" as you try to Apply it, don't
worry. Microsoft themselves have said that it makes no difference.
The "problem" is that Web-based Themes tend to use .JPGs as wallpaper,
rather than .BMPs. Why? Bitmaps take up a HUGE amount of memory. So
using BMPs is impractical for storage and downloading. JPGs have the
same quality, but are optimized to save memory. The crash occurs because
"MS-Plus!" expects to use BMPs. If it has to load a JPG, and you've
ever installed ANY program that knows how to read JPGs, "MS-Plus!" gets confused
about which "driver" to use. In any case, the "crash" affects nothing,
and the Theme still loads. Microsoft once offered a "patch" to fix
this, but it's not worth the effort. Themes will all work fine.
If you have a TRUE crash the Theme will not load at all. In this case,
get your "MS-Plus!" CD, and choose "Reinstall" and then "Rebuild damaged
files" from the second Menu.(I'm not certain of the wording that's used,
but it should be pretty obvious what Menu item to choose.)
If it still crashes, you have a larger problem than I can handle.
(Possibly, but not limited to: conflicting drivers from a bug in another
program, some of the needed files are missing, or someone tampered with things
that are best left alone.) In any case, you're on your
own.
(^ Menu)
D) Restoring your Font (Lettering)
Some themes alter the Size and or Letter Styling of the windows displays.
This is an altered "Font". Some people dislike the size, style
or coloring of a Theme's chosen Font. Here's a brief idea of how to
change it.
Go to the "Control Panel" (from the START button's "Settings" menu.)
Double-click "Display" from the list.
Pick the "Appearance" tab.
Along-side the "Scheme" name selector is a 'drop-down-menu' button.
Click on it and scroll down. You may want "Windows Standard". That's the generic one that Windows 95 comes with.
When you find it, (or another one you like), Click the "Apply" button.
To keep the Theme the way you've now put it, you should also do this...
Go to the "Control Panel" again.
Pick "Desktop Themes".
Click on "Save As".
Select the "South Park Fun.Theme" file. (Or create an alternate name.)
Agree to overwrite the file, if necessary.
This way it the Theme will always have the font that you wanted, when it
loads.
(^
Menu)
E) Where's the Screen Saver?
Sorry, Virginia, but there are no Screen Savers in my Themes. All
screen saver making software costs money -- up front, and I don't think it's
worth it. There are a number of other people who have made South Park
Screen Savers. Taison Tan lists a few of them on his Site. Click
on the menu item called "Screen Savers", obviously.
"A South Park Information
Center"
(http://www.beef-cake.com/taison/)
(^ Menu)
8) Animated GIFs
Animated GIF files only work on Websites. (Yes, there is a way to use
them as desktop wallpaper, IF you install Internet Explorer 4.0. But
No, I don't care to explain how. I'm not going to do ANYTHING that
would promote that particular "product".) In any case, you are expected
to know what to do with the GIFs once you download them. I'm NOT an
HTML instructor, nor, indeed, a babysitter. You are so totally on your
own, that it's not funny. Any Questions? Too bad.
If you're interested in making your own animated GIFs... I used
"MicroAngelo
GIFted".
(http://www.impactsoft.com/gifted/download/mugdnld.html) You
have to PAY for this "shareware" before the animation will loop more than
twice. So, it's more of a "Demo" than true "shareware". If you
want to find an alternate program go here:
"ZD Net Software Library"
(http://www.hotfiles.com/). SEARCH for "GIFs Animator".
This site carries 1000's of shareware
titles.
(^ Menu)
9) "When will you have (such and such) done?" / "Can you
make (something-or-other) for me?"
Don't ask about these things. Things get done when I have the time
and inclination. (Hey, they ARE free!) I don't make special GIFs or
Cursors or ANYTHING for people. I made a few for friends, but that's
it. Please, just don't ask.
If you want to make your own Cursors and Icons, go here:
"MicroAngelo":
(http://www.impactsoft.com/)
For GIFs read Section 8.
(^
Menu)
Download a Copy of these
instructions:
In HTML Format (allows you to use the Main Menu's Links, even
offline.):
In TXT Format
(Plain Text):
(^
Menu)
Emailing Me:
By now most of you know how much I HATE being asked questions about my Site's
items. This is because I spent SO much time carefully creating Text
files for you to read. (Both within the ZIP files, and as a separate
download. Besides the notes I put on my Front Page.) Well, now
you have a nicely formatted, easy to understand guide -- this page. You
can even download it to read offline! As such, if you DO write me,
and ask something that's covered in these instructions, I will do one of
two things: (1) Ignore you OR (2) Make fun of you as I
answer the question. (The first one is the more likely response.)
Remember that THOUSANDS of people -- quite literally -- have been able
to use all my "toys" correctly, even with the older Text files. If
you have a problem, odds are nearly 100% that it's because you didn't really
read the instructions carefully. It's not that I'm trying to be mean
(as much fun as that can sometimes be), I'm just sick of answering the same
questions over and over. The other "guests" to this Site would rather
that I spent my time on new "toys" for them to play with, rather than slogging
through email. So, all together now: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS VERY
CAREFULLY, FIRST!!! If you STILL have a problem, write an intelligent,
coherent, and detailed email. Explain exactly what you tried, and where
it seems to have failed. (If you just type two sentences, with no Caps
or punctuation, and misspell every third word, I WILL make fun of you, AND
not really answer your question. :)
I don't have a problem with attractive women sending emailed Pictures of
themselves. (I am a guy, after all!) But, other than that, PLEASE
just read the instructions. If you have trouble with some of the words
used -- ask a friend, sibling, or parent to help out! Believe me, it's
much more likely to get you the help you need than bugging me. ;)
Hethryd@AOL.com
(You BETTER have read the preceding paragraphs, first!!)
Love,
Dave
(^
Menu)
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Park Underground's Main Page)