Develop Bugs

Start Menu Customisation

Hi all,
I've built a .dll file with icons for customising the programs folder of the start menu. I've attached this file with an example of how it can be used in a .zip archive.
For those not used to working with shortcuts (.ink) and/or .dll files instructions are as follows:
1) Unpack "Start Menu.zip" to a folder of your choice on your computer.
2) Copy "Start Menu.dll" to "\Windows\" on your device, using Active Sync.
3) Again using active sync go to "\Windows\Start Menu\" on your device.
4) Back up your programs folder by copying the folder entitled "Programs" and pasting it to a folder of your choice on your computer.
5) Open the Programs folder on you device using ActiveSync.
6) Open each program group folder here (e.g. "Games") in turn, cutting the program shortcuts (e.g Notes.lnk) out of the folders into the main "Programs" folder on the device then delete the folder.
(N.B. You should not cut any shortcuts called "ICON.lnk" out of the individual program group folders. These will be in "Office Mobile" and "Games" folders, and possibly some others, which display their own icon already.)
7) Open the "Programs" folder that you extracted from the "Start Menu.zip" archive.
8) Select all the folders present and copy them to the Programs folder (\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\) on your phone, using ActiveSync.
9) Copy your program shortcuts into the program group folders as required.
To undo simply delete the entire contents of "\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\" and then copy the contents of the folder that you copied over from your phone in step 4) above.
Have fun!

screenshot please thank you

Thanks for posting, works a treat. Any chance of a Microsoft folder icon?
Haven,t time to finish it all now but will post screen shots when i have time. Thanks again.

Screenshot
Hi,
I've attached a screenshot.
Cheers,
andrew-in-woking

i think he meant in the thread! lol... we appreciate your work thank you very much
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Looks pretty cool! Thanks!

Hi,
thanks for this, I was trying to do the same but got stuck at the links creation.
What do you use to create the .link files?
I have found a little .vbs script that creates .lnk files on my desktop but always appends "C:\" to the path I define so I can not use them on the device.
many thanks for your answer.

bump!
Are you still developing on this customisation? Are you able to provide a cab file? ... having some trouble with access permissions when moving the files as described in step 6-8

Total Commander
jleung87 said:
bump!
Are you still developing on this customisation? Are you able to provide a cab file? ... having some trouble with access permissions when moving the files as described in step 6-8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jleung87
You need to use a program called Total Commander. It's free, search for it.
Cheers
andrew-in-woking

hpsmartyz said:
Hi,
thanks for this, I was trying to do the same but got stuck at the links creation.
What do you use to create the .link files?
I have found a little .vbs script that creates .lnk files on my desktop but always appends "C:\" to the path I define so I can not use them on the device.
many thanks for your answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi hpsmartz
Copy an existing link on your phone and paste it to a different location. Then rename the lnk file and edit it using a program called Total Commander. After this you can cut and paste it back into the desired location.
Cheers
andrew-in-woking

andrew-in-woking said:
Hi hpsmartz
Copy an existing link on your phone and paste it to a different location. Then rename the lnk file and edit it using a program called Total Commander. After this you can cut and paste it back into the desired location.
Cheers
andrew-in-woking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you probably take advantage of this tool
nueShortcutMaker
cu
nosedive

Hi,
Worked real nice on my MotoQ Smartphone
Thanks much.

Hi,
Use this for creating Shortcuts:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=575272
Thanks,

This shortcut maker is pretty cool:
http://www.nuerom.com/BlogEngine/page/nueShortcutMaker.aspx

Touchflo Vista

{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
WVGA Portrait
Touchflo Vista: Skins Included
Desktop Backgrounds
Wisbar Adv3
Analog Clock
Windows Media Player
Touchflo3d manila files
Phone Dialer
Volume Control
I may add other skinned programs in time
Download at: http://cid-9bd3a088bb863c14.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/TouchfloVista.rar
For those who may need a solid bar version, just extract these files and copy and paste to your Touchflo Vista Wisbar folder on your phone and then Install the 2nd theme through the Wisbar theme manager

how to install?

Installing Touchflo Vista
angellus971 said:
how to install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy process. Extract on your home computer the TouchfloVista.rar.
Inside you will find a selection of .CAB's & .rar's. The rar's need to be extracted and there folder copyed and pasted to your phone through active sync ie: Touchflo_Vista_WMP to the Windows Media Player folder on your phone. All the Cab.s just need to be placed on your phone as is and executed from there following any instructions you see

for wich manila are they useable ?
topas, rhodium, standard only ?
looking really nice

alturismo said:
for wich manila are they useable ?
topas, rhodium, standard only ?
looking really nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure I'd say standard, the only feature I added was the 15 buttons but in saying that all the CAB's are uninstable.

nice looking 1, ill try it soon,
ty

could you tell us where "TouchfloVistaWisbar" should be copied ?
BTW really nice work

looks really good!
any known bugs??

wpedzich said:
could you tell us where "TouchfloVistaWisbar" should be copied ?
BTW really nice work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Touchflo Vista Wisbar foder can be placed anywhere usually on our storage card, it does need the wisbar advance program which you can get and trial at http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/products/pocketpc/WisBarAdvance/
once you have this there is an install section within this program and you will be up and running

liav12 said:
looks really good!
any known bugs??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, No known bugs that I can see

How to install the Wisbar? Copy in the Windows folder?
Thx

Ok sorry i found...

How to Install
1. Download Wisbar Trial and install
2. Extract the VistaWisBar files to a folder on your storage card
3. (on the device) Go into START then SETTINGS
4. Click on Theme Manager
5. click on WisBar theme
6. click on Menu at the bottom and click on Install.
7. Browse to the folder on your Card and you will see the vista theme shown at the bottom window. hightlight and install.
Simple!
Then copy the other cab files to the sd card and run in turn using the file manager

I found a slight glitch. If you are using your own background on the today screen. Right at the top is a very small section of the vista themes default wallpaper showing.
Awesome theme though! Well Done! and thanks

Ok thx, you're the best (L)
(i'm not gay)

Also could you possibly add more vista looking icons for the taskbar. Such as signal, wifi, bluetooth, GRPS and GPS update please? cheers

Hi, May I Have The .PSD's For The Images Please? I'd Like To Change The Background Lol

tnx grzegorz for your help...
It looks awesome !!!
No bugs...just perfect

Havok316uk said:
I found a slight glitch. If you are using your own background on the today screen. Right at the top is a very small section of the vista themes default wallpaper showing.
Awesome theme though! Well Done! and thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have placed a zip file on my first posting which will be what you need, this will cover all those who want to use another background picture

Havok316uk said:
Also could you possibly add more vista looking icons for the taskbar. Such as signal, wifi, bluetooth, GRPS and GPS update please? cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a phone signal icon in there I'm not sure about the other ones as there not listed in wisbar but Ill look into if they can be made up under custom buttons, just leave it with me

No call hist and calendar

Hi,
I don't know how to remove call hist and calendar on my home tab screen.
I read this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3119288&postcount=22
I can remove only dotted lines and small arrow (No Dotted Lines Home.cab). other cab files no working, thisame situation with manila. I replaced the original but not effect.
help

Hello, Fisrt sorry!!, my english is not good.
Visit this forum http://www.htcmania.com/showthread.php?t=51758&highlight="llamadas"
This is for tf3d 3 (build 29946)
Steps:
1- Download megaupload file rar
2- Backup for those manila files
3- Turn off tf3d
4- Copy new manila files in /windows
5- Turn on tf3d
6- Enjoy your new homescreen
Good luck

What version of TF3D do you have? The original one made with HD or the last one modify with rodhium/Topaz Future?
If you have the first one use the file that you find in "1c684cd8_manila v1.zip"
also the other one. This file remove also the little watch that appear when you slide up in the home.
This is like the result (you will see the time and date upper the watch).
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
If you want change something let me know.

Hi,
i've been waiting for a manilla edit like this since nov.
the call history links have been removed. but i can't set a wallpaper for the homepage. been through the settings and selected a picture but it always comes up plain black.
just checking the HKEY_CURRENT_USER/desktop/wallpaper values -- currently set to \windows\default.2bp - is this correct ?
using the stock ROM here - any suggestions. thanks!
matt.

thats my touch hd main screen will this help u?

very nice.
question is do i need to change the wallpaper setting in the registry to point to a jpg in my wallpaper folder or is there anywhere else i can force the blackstone to change the wallpaper to a picture instead of plain black. other than via the touch flo wallpaper setting (which doesn't work)

btw u need HDwall application to get ur wallpaper in each tab..
plus i have taken many files from diamond to make it look like dis..

ah well. HDWall doesn't work on my default ROM.
any other solutions?
looks like i'll just have to restore back to last week. oh well.

matthoy said:
ah well. HDWall doesn't work on my default ROM.
any other solutions?
looks like i'll just have to restore back to last week. oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can use mUn bg4allTabs but corner clock will not work with that

lucarp78 said:
What version of TF3D do you have? The original one made with HD or the last one modify with rodhium/Topaz Future?
If you have the first one use the file that you find in "1c684cd8_manila v1.zip"
also the other one. This file remove also the little watch that appear when you slide up in the home.
This is like the result (you will see the time and date upper the watch).
If you want change something let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how come the calendar tab is still there and when you click on the little tab turns screen white???
ROM version duttys 3.9XT 2.1.38158.5 thanks!

Hi, go in Windows folder and delete the file 1c684cd8_manila, it will replaced with the original one. Then copy it and post. I'll modify it.

lucarp78 said:
Hi, go in Windows folder and delete the file 1c684cd8_manila, it will replaced with the original one. Then copy it and post. I'll modify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here it is! thanks a million my friend!

Try this file.

lucarp78 said:
Try this file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
layout is WAY better like the clock where it is with the date and alarm where you put them....BUT how do i get rid of the calendar icon??? still there(this time if i hit it it does take me to calendar instead of whiting out my screen)

Excuse me, try this.

lucarp78 said:
Excuse me, try this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you ARE the man!!! i cant thank you enough! great people like you make the world a better place! BLESS!
ps can you make same one and have it when i scroll the clock up its blank like your other one? im happy with the small clock but even happier if it went blank

fallenangel408 said:
ps can you make same one and have it when i scroll the clock up its blank like your other one? im happy with the small clock but even happier if it went blank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.

lucarp78 said:
No problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"THANKS X100" best wishes and many blessings to you my friend!

Happy to help you.

When i try to copy the manila file to windows folder on the blackstone, i get a message saying that i have no permission to copy files to the folder. What should i do.?
I have also tried copying the manila file into the windows folder ussing total commander, but nothing changes here..
Please help..

[TUT] Editing Resources .dll etc

How to edit resources:
I have attached the software needed File Editor Suite, also you can get a 30 day free trial of PE Explorer Here
It's all very simple to do just follow the guide any questions feel free to ask.
Also take a look @ Making custom icons to replace the standard icons
Step 1:
Unsign the .dll .dla with File Editor Suites UnSigner.exe, just drag the .dll over the Unsign.exe as show in the picture you wont see much maybe just a CMD "black box" quickly pop up.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Step 2: Open with ResHacker\PE In PE you have to click the circled item and you will see the resources.
Step 3: Find the resource you want to edit, remebering that the file you will be replacing needs to be same size and bit
Step 4: Save your resource and in File Editor Suite you have siggner.exe click it locate the .dll and press start the process, the .txt file out put will say "Warning: This file is signed, but not timestamped.
Succeeded"
That's it your done
Now use the appropriate software whether it be File Changer or just using Resco File Explorer/Total Commander to replace, if you have a file that can not be overwriten go into the phone find the file change the extension to .bak example: bronzeres.bak

Nice job bud! I like the look of the PE Explorer R5
lets keep the [TUT] going!
PS. for all, make sure to keep the same pixel size on the icons for better quality when displaying on device, for panels not as much, since the .cpr adjusts the size of the panels on the homescreen.

roloracer said:
Nice job bud! I like the look of the PE Explorer R5
lets keep the [TUT] going!
PS. for all, make sure to keep the same pixel size on the icons for better quality when displaying on device, for panels not as much, since the .cpr adjusts the size of the panels on the homescreen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bruv

isn't this all covered in jdshifflets [TUT] ?

Kemekill Products said:
yeah but he deleted it when stylez pissed him off. then he got banned...
And to fianlize what happened he broke the rules with reagrds to direcspect to members no more needed to be said... If anyone has a problem PM me directly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then jdshifflets went on and created a new Sock Puppet account using his own address so we'd easily find out he's actually Kemekill.
And if that wasn't enough he didn't do a good enough job covering his IP address.
So until further notice Kemekill will Join jdshifflets in his/their split personality, until this is discussed and investigated.
To add to the Tute.
Sometimes when a file has only one Icon file (like for instance some .cpl files)
You can actually get away by using a bigger .icon file to replace it.
But best practice is to always use the same size and resolution to replace these.
Another Good Resource editor is CFF explorer http://www.ntcore.com/products.php
Or the Classic ResourceHacker.
Also until now i got away without unsigning files just fine, but i always sign them with new cert.
Yes I also wrote a Tute like this , but that has nothing to do with me stepping in here.
I'm just following up and the policy for creating Sock Puppet Accounts after a Ban.
Kemekill won't be back ever, and we (The Moderation Team) are not sure yet how this affects jdshifflets ban.

I've gotten this to work pretty good except for one slight hiccup... the "signer" gives me an error that the signature has expired... any thoughts on how to correct this?

New signer with certs, i'll change the full download when got time.
Edit: Updated File Editor Suite

stylez said:
New signer with certs, i'll change the full download when got time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet... thanks alot!!

I see a new Avatar there, cool.
Also when using PExplorer or CFF explorer sometimes you will need to rebuild the header for the file not to break.
At least i know that was the only way of removing \Noui from the first Marketplace exe (and also replacing it with my icon.
So with DLL files i don't expect this to be needed, but if you edit an .exe file and quickly see the .exe icon being replace by a blank icon you know you need to redo it with recompile header.

Thank you wanted to go back to my ninja but he disappeared..
Yeah i had this happening when tried to change everything in start menu to gray Good to know about header

Anyone having challenegs in copying tapres.dll? I can copy bronzeres.dll and open it using PE or Resource Hacker but can't seem to copy the tapres.dll (wchich containts the start menu icon) to my PC for modifying..=(

tapres.dll is a ROM file so you will have to use ROM Extractor and this is not easy as made for PPC, but can be done
In Top Box type\Windows\tapres.dll
In box bellow type tapres.dll
Click Extract.
This will extract it to root of phone memory.

hi folks,
i tried to unsign and open MMAppLauncherCore.dll (after copying to my workstation) which maximus.mobile has made but after the unsign step res.hacker opens a empty file, i do not know why.
can anybody try to open the file too to find out the mistake?
thx

[TUT] Making custom icons to replace the standard icons

Warning: if you do not follow the steps to the letter....you can brick your phone and have to hard reset
You can make your own custom icons for your phone by following these steps:
(I will use the start menu icon as an example)
1) find an image you want to use
2) use an image editing program (included in post) to make it the proper size and format (for the start menu icon it has to be a .ico 25x25 32-bit graphic). Most programs have a resize option...the one I included in this post allows you to resize, and save in a variety of formats (instructions on how to install the icon plugin for the program are in the icocur.zip file...just unzip both archives , and install the program to use). Just go to the image tab, select "resize" and put in the desired pixel size. Next, go to the file tab and select "save as", and select the desired file format. If you are replacing another icon on the phone you can always look at the resolution and file format using your resource editor to assure you have the right size and format.
3) use the instructions in this thread to put the icon into the .dll resource file (for the start menu icon it is #18 in tapres.dll found in the /windows directory...just copy to desktop and edit)
4) DO NOT FORGET TO DIGITALLY SIGN THE FILE USING THE SIGNER IN THE THREAD LINKED ABOVE
5) copy the revised file back to the windows directory (either using activesync, or resco, or total commander)
6) reboot...and you have a new icon
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Cool added to sticky and linkback on Editing Resources.

great job, another good piece of info for all to use!

wonderful job mate!!!

Question folks...what other DLL files contain icons that can be changed? thanks in advance!

Just from what I have tinkered with...i think cmhomeres.dll has something (but that may only be txt, not pix)....but for sure bronzeres.dll...venture around the windows folder...some DLL's may have images, i don't know all of them

didn' work with WM 6.1, cant replace file.dll. what can I do?

try using resco explorer...just copy it to your storage card, and then use resco to move it to the windows directory.

thanks. iwll try it one more time.

hi.. if i want to change the menu icons, which DLL should i edit? thanks.

bramprasetyo said:
hi.. if i want to change the menu icons, which DLL should i edit? thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a bit of info http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=562505&highlight=change+menu+icons will depend what ROM you have?

thanks stylez for quick replay..

I can't seem to copy tapres.dll to my pc so I could modify it using PE Explorer..it does not seem to even rename it..=(

popoy_23 said:
I can't seem to copy tapres.dll to my pc so I could modify it using PE Explorer..it does not seem to even rename it..=(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have been answered in [TUT] Editing Resources .dll etc
Please don't double post and check for answers to posts.

Sorry, and thank you for the heads up. Forgot the topics are linked together.

Which dll file contents d startmenu list icons??? and how do i copy dll files from the device to sd card???

somecuitears said:
Which dll file contents d startmenu list icons??? and how do i copy dll files from the device to sd card???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they are custom just look @ the .lnk with notepad and it will show the resorce .dll, regards extracting from ROM check link about 2 posts above.

ok well I followed the tutorial to the letter and bricked twice now. I'm using a T-Mobile Dash 3G/winmo 6.5 official rom. Is there a way to do this WITHOUT bricking? Thank you.

neocorpse said:
ok well I followed the tutorial to the letter and bricked twice now. I'm using a T-Mobile Dash 3G/winmo 6.5 official rom. Is there a way to do this WITHOUT bricking? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May need to install sdkcert. *not sure about the 3G*

holy crap I thought this thread was dead, and WHAM a ninja appears!! Thank you styles I appreciate the quick response. I'm not really sure how to install the certs. Are those what came in the file editor suite?
Has it got to do with color info possibly? I don't mind fooling with the files provided all that happens is a hard reset is needed.
I've been going insane wanting to do global skinning for winmo 6.5 but with things like highlight it's not an image but a defined color bar. Plus I can't even begin to find the taskbar images to alter so....
PS. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful and petulant if I did in my earlier post. I was a bit angry at my phone...lol.
If you ever want to do some collaborative work let me know, I have years of skinning experience with several different devices and such.
EDIT: Ok, I think I know what you mean. There's a WM SDK Certs.cab that came with SmartToolKit rc09, will that work or should I try to find a newer one?
EDIT 2: Well I installed the certs from the file editor suite you provided, (both sdk and the certificate.cab and even switched from pe explorer to reshacker and it still bricked. Basically what the phone is doing is upon reboot it gets to the windows bootscreen and won't display the homescreen. I can hear the phone doing something when I scroll so I know it's not locked up completely but I can't access my homescreen and the PC fails to recognize it. Dunno what I am doing wrong but it's annoying none the less...lol.