good desktop theme?

[ajbrun]

I'm trying to find a desktop theme, as I'm bored with the one that comes with windows XP. I think the problem with most themes I've tried is that the sounds don't match the theme very well. For example sounds aren't faded off, they are just stopped instead. Another problem is that a lot of the colours don't match on the themes. It is because of these reasons that I've given up looking myself, and I have decided to ask you lot .

So..... I'm looking for a theme that's quite funney (sounds etc) possibly making fun of microsoft, or just saying funney things. Most importantly, everything MUST match - sounds, colours etc.

I'm open to other suggestions though, if you've found a GREAT theme and you want to share .

Please provide a link to some more information, and to download if possible.

Thanks

[Dorza]

Any Linux orientated theme, on a windows box is probably making fun of Windows.

themxp.org has some nice themes. But i find i like a theme on the screen as a preview pic but when its actually applied it looks pants. For effective themes i would go with simplicity, personally i think they work better than most other themes. If you want some really nice eyecandy icons c here. I think you will need a seperate program to use them tho.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

effective themes i would go with simplicity, personally i think they work better than most other themes.

I agree 100%.

Used to use brightly coloured themes, and now i've settled with one called "Artemis" i think. Its a nice theme, and i have used it for months, which is weird for me as im always changing my mind or wanting something new/different. Plus, it removes the "my Computer", "control panel" etc writing in the start menu....nice touch.

When i look back on the old themes i used, makes me cringe....

[directhex]

desktop themes in the win95plus sense, are out of fashion these days - people want to find their own wallpaper, skin, sound pack, etc, to better suit them.

[ajbrun]

Does anyone knwo if it is possible to change the startup and shut down screens in windows XP?

I only want to do it though if it's simple like changing a picture, not messing around with programs or whatever

[ajbrun]

erm - I've just found how to do it, and it looks complicated.

http://www.themexp.org/how_install.php

[Proplus]

You can use something like Logon Loader or BootXP for the startup screen, but am unsure about the shut down one.....

[ajbrun]

Hmm - I don't think I'll bother now. Thanks anyway

[directhex]

windows nt stores its boot screen within the core kernel file, ntoskrnl.exe. you can use a resource editor to replace the image with a color-reduced image, then use a hex editor to modify the encrypted color values so the image will display - but i'd recommend not poking your kernel with a hex editor, leave kernel hacking to the professionals

you can change your welcome screen fairly easily though, google for "logon loader" and get replacement logon screens from themexp.org

[Lee H]

pop along to www.wincustomize.com.

Here you will see a wide range of desktops and they can be loaded by using software such as windowblinds etc from www.stardock.net

Some of the best looking desktops are designed on their by a user by the name of pixstudio and atm his nvidia based theme is currently residing on my PC

Hope this info helps

Edit : also www.themeworld.com has a lot of desktop themes funny and not so funny that are compatible with XP - just look for (XP) in the name

[Romanov]

Just use stylexp it does all the above and more and has a really easy to use interface Ive customised my machine and it looks ace now including boot and startup screens. It is shareware but all it does is pop up a box saying do you want to register - click no and thats it yours forever

Just do google on stylexp I cant get the address as Im at work - dead simple m8