I'm ticked off... sorry for venting.

Zatx · 02-07-06, 12:32 PM

My issue is that when I'm trying to use themes that are black or very dark blue in color, the top and bottom system bars are either grey (for black based themes) or the sissy default blue (for blue based themes).

I even downloaded a them that was just ALL black. Everything was black, but the two gray bars at the top and bottom (although the preview on the website showed the bars as black).

I've even downloaded MSN Theme generator to create my own theme. The preview shows the correct bar colors, but when I put it on my axim they are grey.

Sigh.. I'm at my wits end. I've got this nice image I want used for my theme, but can't get the bars the right color.

netsyd · 02-07-06, 12:35 PM

I posted a pair of links that I found addressing this issue on my website... There are some registry entries that handle the smart keys in WM5 colors. First post in the blog.

The links should show you everything you need to know. Sorry I don't have time to copy the links over here at the moment.

www.netsyd.com

02-07-06, 12:47 PM

Your links don't help. WM5 doesn't allow black to be used for the top and bottom bar.
Gray is the darkest.

Zatx · 02-07-06, 12:52 PM

I tried the vjay thing. I couldnt get it to work. I know very little about software and NOTHING about changing my registry.

I'm confused by the statement that WM5 doesnt allow black for the top and bottom bar because the themes I downloaded were displayed on an axim with WM5 VGA screen.

02-07-06, 12:55 PM

Well, everything I have read and done leads me to believe that black isn't possible.
I have spent hours trying to find a way to make an all black theme with green text.
I am currently using all black background with blue bars since that goes nicely with my pocketbreeze default scheme.

I can get the vjay program to work, but 0 is gray, not black.
There is no value I can find that makes it black.

Zatx · 02-07-06, 01:00 PM

Ok.. can't seem to do black, but what about navy blue? All I can get is the sissy default blue color.

Zatx · 02-07-06, 01:09 PM

This is what I want. But can't seem to obtain.

http://www.pocketpcthemes.com/preview.asp?ID=54912

I either get grey bars or sissy blue bars.

02-07-06, 01:16 PM

The easiest way for that, would be the link from netsyd.
http://www.vijay555.com/index.php?Releases:VJBaseHue

You download from the link at the bottom of that page:
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/Releases/.../VJBaseHue.cab

Copy the cab to your PPC using Explore in AS.
Then run the CAB by browsing to it in File Explorer and tapping on it.

After it installs, Start | Programs | vijay555 | VJbaseHue | ZeBoxx Examples.

You can use the Explore in AS to copy new shortcuts as described at http://vijay555support.host4phpbb.co...topic.php?t=30

And http://www.vijay555.com/vj/Releases/...lorschemes.png
Gives you an idea of colors codes.

02-07-06, 01:18 PM

You know, the color is just plain Blue that you're getting. Not sissy blue.

Select that theme on your device. You won't get those colors on your top and bottom bar.
The top bar can't do that in WM5.
Select a darker blue using my post above and you'll then come close to it.

netsyd · 02-07-06, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by BrandenRussell

The easiest way for that ...

Thanks for taking the time to clarify that. Unfortunately time isn't something I have a lot of at the moment! :approve:

02-07-06, 01:25 PM

WM5 tries to keep you from using dark colors.
The closest I can really find you is 430.

This would be in the shortcut you create:
49#"\Program Files\vijay555\VJBaseHue\VJBaseHue.exe" 430

Edit:
Sorry, that should be 425.
430 is more purple.
49#"\Program Files\vijay555\VJBaseHue\VJBaseHue.exe" 425

02-07-06, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by netsyd

Thanks for taking the time to clarify that. Unfortunately time isn't something I have a lot of at the moment! :approve:

No problem!

Zatx · 02-07-06, 01:36 PM

Thank you guys for your help on this. This has to be the most helpful website on the internet, irregardless of topic.

I havent got it yet, but Im struggling through it.

Now trying to figure out the shortcut thing since the program spoken about in that link is japanaese and for wm2003. (I'm not sure what "AS" is)

02-07-06, 01:43 PM

Japanese? Where? All the links I gave are in English.

AS is ActiveSync.

I haven't read the page about how to make shortcuts since I figured it out on my own, but I did just check to make sure the page was in English.
The basics are:
Copy one of the example colors to your desktop, open it in Notepad, change the number at the end to be what you want (such as 425), Save, give it a new name, and copy it back to the device.

Here is where the shortcuts for colors are:
\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\vijay555\vjbasehue

Zatx · 02-07-06, 01:56 PM

Thanks Branden. The GSfinder link I went to was in partial japanese. No big deal.

Thanks again for your patience and big help.

You're right its not "sissy" blue. I was just frustrated.

Zatx · 02-07-06, 02:27 PM

I think the problem Im running in to is that I can't see the example color files from my pc desktop in order to copy them over.

When I open up and explore my device I don't have a start menu and windows folder to look through. But if I look on my Axim they are right there in front of me.

I feel like such a n00b.

DoDoubleGeo · 02-07-06, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Zatx

This is what I want. But can't seem to obtain.

http://www.pocketpcthemes.com/preview.asp?ID=54912

I either get grey bars or sissy blue bars.

The theme shown in your link is NOT displayed on a WM2005 device. It is WM2k3.

The M$ Theme Generator was made for PPC 2002 and is no longer supported which is why it is not a good choice for making landscape themes or themes for WM2005 devices.

02-07-06, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Zatx

I think the problem Im running in to is that I can't see the example color files from my pc desktop in order to copy them over.

When I open up and explore my device I don't have a start menu and windows folder to look through. But if I look on my Axim they are right there in front of me.

I feel like such a n00b.

In ActiveSync on the PC, click Explore.

Open My Windows Mobile-Based Device\Windows\Start Menu\Programs.

Xcilion · 02-07-06, 02:46 PM

I think it's somehow possible.

Mitac Mio is developing a black PDA phone, and it has WM5.
On preview images it clearly shows a black WM5 theme. This prooves it is possible, somehow...

02-07-06, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Xcilion

I think it's somehow possible.

Mitac Mio is developing a black PDA phone, and it has WM5.
On preview images it clearly shows a black WM5 theme. This prooves it is possible, somehow...

All the images I can find show gray top and bottom bar.
Here is an example:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08..._a701_exposed/

vijay555 · 02-08-06, 11:01 AM

Guys, VJBaseHue is just for modifying the basehue, which, if you check out the interactive colour chart by ZeBoxx on my webpage, shows that you can't select black. However, we've now cracked it. It requires a minor registry hack, but download the themes referred to here and you can follow the magic. This is all ZeBoxx and Diggia's work.

Check it out here, page 4 onwards.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/view...=225092#225092

I'll be working to make VJBaseHue a bit more userfriendly shortly. As you may have noticed, I have very little time to work on GUIs for my stuff generally :)

V

netsyd · 02-08-06, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by vijay555

Guys, VJBaseHue is just for modifying the basehue, which, if you check out the interactive colour chart by ZeBoxx on my webpage, shows that you can't select black. However, we've now cracked it. V

Thanks for all information and all the work!! It's folks like you that make PPC's worth using!! :approve:

02-08-06, 12:16 PM

Thanks!!! It was a bit tricky, but I can finally get the theme I've been wanting!

vijay555 · 02-08-06, 01:44 PM

Beautiful, I'm so glad you guys got it working. I've got some nice plans for the next version of VJBaseHue, but ZeBoxx is working on a very comprehensive interactive colour picker, so that will be worth waiting for.

V

02-08-06, 01:50 PM

That looks nice.
Yeah, wish I had more spare time. I am tempted to write a WM5 Theme Editor that gives you easy access to all the colors and settings so you don't need to play with inf files or the registry and has an Open feature to edit existing themes.

makuu · 02-08-06, 06:39 PM

Based on the informations posted in this thread I built this theme :

I used this tool

And a new inf file that I'm attaching here.

Zatx · 02-09-06, 07:45 AM

Brandon I love that theme and would love to use it.

Think I could ask for your help again in accomplishing it?

And thanks vijayy for your awesome work.

02-09-06, 10:10 AM

Sure. I have it downloadable at my site here.

If you want to make your own like it, I basically did what Makuu describes in the post right above yours.

I also played with some registry keys that I left out of the theme. it makes all menus black with green text. It also makes all windows like that.

Zatx · 02-09-06, 10:59 AM

Branden I saved the link as described and it shows as a Theme format, but when I copy it over to my axim and select it as my theme it shows up as basically all blue with white fonts.

I'm sure its a problem on my end not yours. I have a friend that is a software developer and he says that I should throw away my axim and go back to the hammer and chisel days.

Im begining to agree with him. I'm definetly a hardware guy.

Sigh

02-09-06, 11:06 AM

It may be my fault.
I tried to generate you a theme without the reg key that turned all my other parts of WM5 black and green.

I'll create a new one and test it. Give me a bit and I'll let you know when the new one is up.

Zatx · 02-09-06, 11:08 AM

Oh and as a side note please tell Vaughn Peterson Happy Birthday for me. And I hope you didn't forget to take out the garbage today. :)

02-09-06, 11:11 AM

Oh, and something important, with these themes that change things such as making the bars black, the theme's file name must stay the way it was named when it was created.

The registry keys it does have to be under the name of the theme.
So, if you rename the .tsk file you download, it won't work.

02-09-06, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Zatx

Oh and as a side note please tell Vaughn Peterson Happy Birthday for me. And I hope you didn't forget to take out the garbage today. :)

haha... thanks.
I didn't realize I had so much information on my today screen when I took the snapshot and posted it. :)
Last time I posted, there wasn't really anything showing.

02-09-06, 11:16 AM

Sorry to make you test my stuff, but I put a new file up for you to try.
I am a bit worried to try it since I am still trying out registry keys to adjust other things and I don't want to lose the work I have done so far.

Edit: Just to make sure it is clear. I am worried about this theme taking away work I did with another theme I have done. I am not worried that it will cause damage. Applying another theme after this one will set your device to that theme and remove changes done by this theme. So, no worries for you!

Zatx · 02-09-06, 12:13 PM

I right clicked the theme on your site. Saved it to my desktop (did not rename it). Copied it to my Axim. Opened the Today screen and changed to theme to BlackWithGreen.

This is what I got (screen capture attached)..maybe

02-09-06, 12:53 PM

Hmmm.... Well, I just put up the one I know works (it is the one I am currently using).
Give it a try.

Edit:
Note: For PB, I am using the skin JustAnotherVista skin that I found on this forum. Do a search and you'll find it to. The expea skin on the PB site looks okay with the BlackWithGreen.tsk too, but not quite as good.

Zatx · 02-09-06, 01:20 PM

I'm at a loss.

Here is what I have before saving your theme and selecting it.

And what I get after is what I show in the post above.

Think you could email the file to me? zatxwoopyoax@hotmail.com

Thanks for your help.... again.

02-09-06, 01:34 PM

I sent the e-mail.
You may already know all this, but thought I'd list steps anyway.
1) Make sure a theme besides BlackWithGreen is being used. (Start | Settings | Today).

2) Copy the file to your device using Explore in ActiveSync (or through synced files in My Documents)

3) Select BlackWithGreen from the list in Start | Settings | Today.

4) If it still doesn't appear to be right, soft reset.

02-09-06, 02:43 PM

For some reason, the .tsk files didn't want to download correctly from my site.

I zipped it up and that fixed it. You can download it from my site now.

02-09-06, 04:51 PM

For some reason (probably me)

I can't get VJBaseHue to run. I have created the shortcut and added 425 to the end of the name. Using properties to change the name. When I launch it I get the error message that it cannot be opened. "either it is not signed with a trusted certificate, or one of its components cannot be found..."

It also changed the icon to the link to a win flag. I have also tried adding 425 to the end of the vjbasehue, and the message pops up saying to specify a number.

Please, what am I doing wrong or not at all.