Customizing the "Resuming Windows" screen

davem · 11-01-2004, 02:26 AM

I was just wondering if there was a way to customize the "resuming windows" screen that the computer displays when resuming from hibernation.

I'm pretty sure it would be impossible to get an image to display there but I remember how we used to search through the old Win95 executables to change what the start button said... so is there a way to figure out where windows reads the "resuming windows" text and change that to something cool (ie: resuming carputer, etc).

OriginalNick2 · 11-01-2004, 10:20 AM

try:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ight=Boot+Skin

I dont know if it changes the Resume screen but it will change the loading after power on screen - dunno if they are the same?

Nick

Custommx3 · 11-01-2004, 10:21 AM

Not the same thing.

OriginalNick2 · 11-01-2004, 10:24 AM

oops

davem · 11-03-2004, 06:57 PM

Any ideas about the hack so I can change what the "resuming Windows" line says? What about using a program like resource hacker to find what dll has that text and then changing it. Anyone know what file that text would be in anyways?

frodobaggins · 11-03-2004, 07:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by davem

Any ideas about the hack so I can change what the "resuming Windows" line says? What about using a program like resource hacker to find what dll has that text and then changing it. Anyone know what file that text would be in anyways?

NTOSKRNL.EXE

davem · 11-03-2004, 07:20 PM

Thanks Frodo.

So I have to use a hex editor to see that? Can I just change the corresponding text and everything work fine?

frodobaggins · 11-03-2004, 07:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by davem

Thanks Frodo.

So I have to use a hex editor to see that? Can I just change the corresponding text and everything work fine?

No, it's not quite that simple. Use a resource editor. And you'll have to save
a copy, and change some boot.ini options etc.

You'll have to

antimatter · 11-03-2004, 07:46 PM

Keep us updated on your progress

Ninja Monkey · 11-03-2004, 08:02 PM

Actually the "Resuming Windows" text is stored in the file C:\NTLDR

You can simply change this with a hex editor ("Resuming Windows" is at offset 35990)

I changed mine to read "Returning to car..." and then removed all the other text that says "Press F8 to blah blah"

PS: You sound like you know how to use a hex editor, but just incase - Make sure the text you want is less or equal to the length of the one you're changing, or you'll corrupt the file. If you use less characters, replace the left-overs with spaces.

davem · 11-03-2004, 11:21 PM

Frodo... downloading a resource editor right now to take a look at that file.

Ninja Monkey... I am familiar with that file because I've seen it before. I am running Windows XP Pro and I cannot find the file/folder. I am viewing all files (even hidden and system ones), so I don't know why I can't find it. Could you point me in the right direction?

Thanks guys.

davem · 11-04-2004, 12:54 AM

Ok, figured out how to do this so here it goes for any of you who wanna customize...

To change the "Resuming Windows" text
(1) Get a hex editor program. Here's a link of what I used. http://www.hhdsoftware.com/hexeditor.html

(2) Look in the root directory of the boot drive (usually the C-drive) for the file C:\NTLDR. Now don't worry if you can't see it, just choose "Tools" > "Folder Options". Then click on the "View" tab and check "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)". Now refresh the folder and you'll see it!

(3) Now make a backup copy of this file (just in case).

(4) Change the attributes of this file by selecting the file properties and deselect "read only", "hidden" and "system" checkboxes. Sometimes Windows won't let you do this so you can just download a program that will let you set file permissions.

(5) Use the hex editor program to open the NTLDR file. Go to offset 00035990 and you can change the "Resuming Windows..." text. Be sure NOT to change anything except those letters (meaning what you want to say has to fit within that many characters). Now you can also change the text below the progress bar "For troubleshooting... blah, blah" by changing the text at offset 00035F34, remember don't go over the character limit!

(6) Save the file and you're done!

To change the hibernation screen pics
(1) Download a resource editor, the one I used is Resource Hacker. http://www.users.on.net/johnson/resourcehacker/

(2) Open the file C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe. Look at bitmap #2 and bitmap #5. You can right click on the file and choose to save that bitmap file to somewhere on your harddrive. Do this.

(3) Use a photo-editing program to edit the picture as you choose. Remember to keep the original image sizes and color depth.

(4) Now use the resource editor to replace these images with your newly created ones.

(5) Now you can't just save over the files because Windows will just overwrite your changes. Here's what you do... save the file as something else (like ntoskkrnl2.exe).

(6) Reboot Windows into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

(7) Go to the Windows system directory by typing "cd C:\windows\system32"

(8) Delete the original file by typing "del ntoskrnl.exe" and hitting enter.

(9) Now copy over your file by typing "copy ntoskrnl2.exe ntoskrnl.exe" (assuming you called your new file ntoskrnl2.exe).

(10) Now just reboot and you're done!

Thanks Frodobaggins and Ninja Monkey for being the one's who showed me the right files to look in (without that all this would not be possible)! Hope this helps out... I am a new member but this forum is great, it gives everyone good ideas and helps out huge.

judoGTI · 11-08-2004, 09:00 AM

Is this XP or 2000?

davem · 11-08-2004, 12:15 PM

Instructions are for Windows XP Pro (and it works for Home Edition as well).

Question · 11-10-2004, 08:50 PM

Man, that's awesome. Thanks for posting this.

I do disagree on one point...and that is deleting the original file. I would rename it to something (like ntosback or something) instead of deleting it, just in case something bad happens.