How do I install your screensavers?
I've uninstalled the screensaver but still keep getting registration reminders!
What's the extra file in the downloads?
How do I unzip downloaded files?
I get an error when trying to unzip files
Where should I save them to when I download them to from the web?
How do I delete them if I should want to?
Why didn't the wallpaper uninstall?
All new screensavers created after May 1st 2001 contain a comprehensive help file. If you download an older screensaver or would like the latest revision of the Help File (updated January 2003) you can download a copy here
How do I install your screensavers?
All of my screensavers are self installing. All you need to do is double-click on the icon of the file you downloaded (usually a 'ZIP' file or occasionally an 'EXE' file), and the installation program will do the rest.
I've uninstalled the screensaver but still keep getting registration reminders!
When you have a screensaver on 7day trial, if you do not wish to purchase then you must uninstall it AND set a different screensaver as your default. If you do not do this you will continue to get registration reminders each time your screensaver kicks in.
"The Default directory for Screensavers on Windows XP is
C:\Windows\System32.
Most of my screensaver install routines offer you the choice to change the directory from the standard folder for Windows 95/98/NT4 of C:\Windows\System. On screensavers created before January 2003, when you get to the Directory installation screen, simply either click on the button marked ' ... ' and browse to your default screensaver directory of C:\Windows\System32, or just add the numbers 32 by typing them in the box that contains the text C:\Windows\System. All screensavers made on or after January 2003 that are capable of offering an alternative directory will give you the choice of operating system. This will ensure that the screensaver is installed into your default directory for whichever Operating System you are using, making the whole process far simpler!!!
Trying awfully hard not to confuse the issue, but any screensaver installed directly into the WINDOWS folder will work on any operating system including XP and some of my screensavers use this directory.
Certain screensavers have been reported to not work on XP, such as the ones that use HTML pages and java (only a small minority of my screensavers are made using this type of programming) However, these seem to work OK on the XP Home version, but not the XP Professional, so I’m afraid at this stage, these are a little hit and miss, but as I mentioned, there are only one or two of these screensavers, and I no longer use this program to make them so this should not really be an issue.
If you are using XP and have problems with any of my older screensavers (usual problem is that they disappear from your screensavers list in Display Properties) please use the email form if you would like help and please remember to include the TITLE of the screensaver in the message.
What's the extra file in the download?
Anyone who stores their files on an EZ Themes, Screens & Themes or Themes Unlimited server will have their file "repackaged." That repackaging, at this time, adds a program called Gator to the file package (though that could change based on the advertiser). This is necessary due to the dramatic drop in advertising revenue. None of us want to see see sites go to a fee basis. This repackaging issue does not affect just my site, but all sites who use these storage sites, which is most of the high volume theme sites, so you will eventually be encountering this on most theme sites. The good news is that you do not have to install Gator to install the theme. During installation there will be a screen that will ask you if you want to install the program. Make sure the box is not checked to install Gator if you don't want it installed. If you choose to install Gator, or change your mind during installation, you will be asked again later on as it accesses the site to finish the installation. So, you will be given two chances to determine if you want to install the additional software or not. If you choose to install Gator, you will receive a cookie that will prevent further installations of the software (unless advertisers change). On many themes there is a secondary link you can use. Secondary links do not have Gator packaged with the theme.
If you installed Gator and have a firewall, you will notice that you will be asked if you want to run FSG.EXE. That is the Gator program attempting to complete installation. If you change your mind about installation at this point and can't delete the fsg.exe program, reboot your computer and then delete it.
If you installed Gator by accident and want it off your computer, you may want to do more than simply uninstall it due to the nature of the program. There is a fantastic freeware product on the net called Ad-aware. It will seek out "spyware" (programs that transmit demographic information or info about your browsing). When you run it it will give you the ability to completely remove it from your system including cookies and registry entries. If you have Norton Utilities you probably have noticed that a typical uninstall often leaves bits and pieces behind. I run Ad-aware regularly and love it. The URL to download this small program is http://www.lavasoftusa.com.
Just for your info, there's a lot of spyware out there. Some people really don't care, but if you want to stay away from it, here are the most common. Adware (not to be confused with Ad-Aware), Alexa 1.0-5.0, Aureate v1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, Comet Cursor v1.0 and v2.0, Cydoor, Doubleclick, DSSAgent, EverAd, Flyswat, Gator, OnFlow-Player, TimeSink v1.0,v2.0 and v5.0, Web3000 and Webhancer. Ad-Aware will remove all of these programs if you want it to.
If you get an error message when installing certain types of screensaver, this is most certainly because you are running a non-Intel chip or Pentium 1 or previous. MMX is an Intel product that was introduced with Pentium II. You can visit the Intel site for more information
How do I unzip downloaded files?
If you already have WINZIP or any other compressing software you need only to click on the zipped file. If you don't have WINZIP, then you can download it from their website - the link is on my homepage
I get an error when trying to unzip files
Most of the sites I use to store my files DO NOT support the use of download accelerators. If you use one of these and are having problems unzipping files, simply disable the accelerator, re-download the file and hopefully you should now be able to unzip. If you still cannot unzip the file, please use the email form to report the problem as the file may be corrupt. Please remember to include the TITLE of the screensaver in the message and also where you were downloading it from. If downloading from my own site and there were 2 download options then please state which one.
Where should I save them to when I download them to from the web?
Your 'My Documents' folder is the obvious choice and if you don't want to search for the new file after it's downloaded, you could make a sub-folder in My Documents by selection 'File/New/Folder' and then name it something obvious such as 'Web Downloads'.
I use a variety of screensaver tool software depending on the type of screensaver I want to make. If you want to have a go at making your own, you can download a trial version of my favourite programme, AnimateIt from here
The majority of my screensavers that come with background music use MIDI files and most PC's have the capability of playing these files. These are used as they only have a small file size so are better for making downloadable screensavers. A few of my newer ones do contain music in MP3 format so you would need to have the software to play MP3 files. If you don't hear any sounds, try the following:-
If this still doesn't work, then you may not have the correct soundcard for the sound files. There are also a few of my screensavers that don't have any sounds so if all your others play OK then this may be the case!
How do I delete them if I should want to?
Most of my screensavers come with an uninstall option that either appears on your desktop (which you can move if you want to) or you have an option when you install as to where you want the uninstall icon in your start menu. With this type you just double-click the uninstall icon as you would any other program.
Also, some are removed via Start\Settings\Control Panel\Add Remove Programs.
A small few do not have the uninstall option, but they only put 1 file into either your C:\WINDOWS OR C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder. The easiest way to find them is 'Start/Search/Files or Folders' and then type in the 'Search for' box [ *.scr ] and this will then bring up a list of all screensaver files on your machine. Just select the one that you no longer want and click on 'Delete' on your menu bar. WARNING: Make sure you have selected the correct file to delete as if you have a lot of screensavers you may have similar filenames in your list. If you are uncertain then do not carry out this operation.
Why didn't the wallpaper uninstall?
Included in some of my screensavers is the original matching wallpaper. As these screensavers are shareware, I understand that some of you may not want to register the screensaver but would like to keep the wallpaper, so when the uninstall is run, only the screensaver is removed, leaving the free wallpaper on your computer. Should you wish to remove the wallpaper also, please delete the .JPG file from C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper (assuming your Windows directory is on Drive C)
Do you take requests?
Yes I do occasionally. If you don't ask, you'll
never know!! Please bear in mind that not all requests would be feasible,
for instance, it's no good asking me to do one on your favourite football or
basketball team ! In general, if you're looking for one that fits into any
of the categories that are in the menu, then you stand a pretty good chance.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ADULT/PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL AS THE REFUSAL WILL DEFINITELY
OFFEND!!
If you have any further questions that are not covered here, please feel free to email your question to me