text colour in Today screen

cestode · 05-02-04, 05:08 AM

I would like to change the text colour on my Today screen from white to black so that it can more easily be read with certain themes.

Can this be done?

Jogga · 05-02-04, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cestode
I would like to change the text colour on my Today screen from white to black so that it can more easily be read with certain themes.

Can this be done?

Yup
You can download Theme Generator from Windows Mobile (under the Power Toys section) and generate your own themes including changing the colours of text and command/navigation bars and messages.

Click here for the link it's free.

Jogga

cestode · 05-02-04, 07:53 AM

Many thanks Jogga.
On the Microsoft site it says for version 2002. I have 2003. Will it work for me?

Jogga · 05-02-04, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cestode
Many thanks Jogga.
On the Microsoft site it says for version 2002. I have 2003. Will it work for me?

Hi, Buddy
Yup it'll work fine with the exception that it will not load your themes to your Axim from the programme on the pc. You should disable this option on the last dialogue (page) of TG.

Create a Folder on your pc called My Device Themes (TG may even do this for you if memeory serves). Once created the theme will go to that file. Copy and paste the theme to the My Documents folder on your Axim. You'll be able to access the Theme via the Today tab under Settings.

I have a My Documents Folder on my SD card and put them there (saves space on my Ax). You can still access in the normal way but they must be in the My Documents folder (you can have one in main memory, one in BIS and one on SD/CF card).

Good luck & post the themes so we can see them

Jogga

Gigi · 05-02-04, 08:42 AM

If you need step by step instructions, take a look at my tutorial on Managing Your Today Theme. If you want to change the font of a theme you are already using, you will need to find that .tsk file from your Axim and load it up to Theme Generator.

ikehiker · 05-02-04, 08:44 AM

Since this thread is talking about text color, I thought I'd add some info that was posted by VW_ELM on iPaqHQ a little while back concerning the text color on the start menu. I think on the Axim, this is black by default and that was true for my 2215 until I did a ROM upgrade which changed it to white and made it difficult to read. Anyway, a registry hack is necessary so if you are at all concerned about doing this, make sure you create a backup before starting. You can get a registry editor here.

To change the text:

Quote:

HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Color

see of the key "39" exists, if it does, you can change this

00 00 00 00 = black
FF 00 00 00 = red
00 FF 00 00 = green
FF FF 00 00 = yellow
00 00 FF 00 = blue
FF 00 FF 00 = purple
FF FF FF 00 = White

If not, create New Binary Value, name it 39 and use the above code for setting the color.

Gigi · 05-02-04, 08:59 AM

Ike, am I correct in assuming that changing the registry will change the font color regardless of theme? In other words, using Theme Generator will only change the font one theme at a time?

ikehiker · 05-02-04, 09:12 AM

The theme generator doesn't have an ability to change the start menu text, so making the registry change to key 39 is necessary to set it. Unfortunately, if you change the theme, it resets to the default (at least it does on my iPaq) and you have to enter it again.

cestode · 05-02-04, 10:35 AM

Thanks to all. I am such a newbie that I woulldn't dream of either creating a theme or even looking at the registry (not even sure I know what that is).

I have downloaded the seahorse theme from Microsoft and the start menu doesn't show up well against it. That's why I wanted to change the colour from white to black.

ikehiker · 05-02-04, 11:20 AM

I understand FunnySnake TK Creator is a theme creator that will allow you to modify existing themes including changing the start menu color. I've never used it, so don't consider this a recommendation, but modifying an existing theme should be less challenging than creating a new one or hacking the registry.

05-02-04, 01:38 PM

Ike

I have created a Key 39 and assigned it the binary code that you give for yellow but the Start Menu text remains black !

I have installed Funny Snake TK Creator which the web site says is for PPC 2002, but the Start Menu Color says "[=>2003]", which I assume means WM 2003. There is no 2002 option for Star Menu color.

I am running PPC 2002 A04 whcih suits me fine. I do not want to upgrade to WM 2003 for several reasons - not least because I have a Magicstor 2.2MB Microdrive which will not run under WM 2003 (which does not have the correct driver for it).

Endless frustration !!

ikehiker · 05-02-04, 02:23 PM

I just tried it on my X5 (also with PPC02/ROM04) and it doesn't work for me, either. I guess the color option was added in WM03. If I come across any info about 02, I'll post it but it's not looking good.

05-02-04, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ikehiker
I understand FunnySnake TK Creator is a theme creator that will allow you to modify existing themes including changing the start menu color. I've never used it, so don't consider this a recommendation, but modifying an existing theme should be less challenging than creating a new one or hacking the registry.

I use TKCreator all the time and it works just fine on my X5 running PPC2002. I use it to tweak colours of themes I DL to make text more visible, etc.

Note: You cannot use it to alter any animated themes, though. It will lose the Flash content when it saves the new .tsk.

Chris...

ikehiker · 05-02-04, 04:18 PM

Can you use it for the Start Menu text color? This seems to only be available for WM03.

05-02-04, 04:42 PM

No, running 2002 and there is no option to change Start Menu colour. Too bad, as black isn't the best choice on some themes.

You can change the Today screen text. This has been good enough for me. I almost never use my Start Menu. Access to everything I need is from Today itself (cLaunch)

Chris...