boot screens for a PVR computer

[destrekor]

anyone ever seen any on the sites with bootscreens? Doesn't matter really what program they recommend using, I just would like to deck out this PVR computer with non-microsoft branding.. like a fancy bootscreen, logon screen, and maybe a desktop, but not like.y.. probably just gonna force whatever PVR software I use to autoload on boot.

and before people ask: I ditched Linux and Myth in favor of something more user-friendly and to make future upgrades much easier on me. I know Linux is nice and all, but I could care less for the amount of work required. Its a computer.... I want this thing to work but also to be easy to use. I don't like headaches when upgrading. so that's my spiel on why I will be using Windows + PVR software.

 

[CrackRabbit]

BeyondTV4 FTW!

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
BeyondTV4 FTW!

im gonna mess around with BTV4, SageTV5, and will try MediaPortal and MAYBE, just maybe, GBPVR, but not liking it from the start so probably wont even download it.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I use BTV4 obviously. I feel that it has the superior interface and a good set of features to go with it. BUT you have to pay for it, which is a downside.

 

[destrekor]

hmm I wonder how that Yahoo PVR thing is.. its free, in beta too, however... but the people behind Meedio I belive are who helped make the Yahoo Go TV thing (the PVR is apart of that).

and I still want to know about boot screens.

 

[destrekor]

anyone?

 

[frankgomez75]

here you can download some bootscreens here:

Bootscreens
Belchfire


Also you can download software for free that does it for you:
stardock bootskins

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
here you can download some bootscreens here:

Bootscreens
Belchfire


Also you can download software for free that does it for you:
stardock bootskins

i was just hoping someone new of specifically some themed for PVR systems.... i was just at belchfire today and didn't find anything
thanks though

 

[frankgomez75]

hhmm....
well I have a full blown HTPC plus a server and here is what I do.
Download TweakXP to use to disable the XP Login Window and boot straight into your PC bypassing that login screen altogether
In addition Follow these steps:

To disable the startup\shutdown screens.
Change from the default windows XP welcome screen to the older style by going to Control Panels>User Accounts>Change the way users logon or off. Deselect the "Use Welcome Screen" checkbox.

To get rid of the startup and shutdown messages, enter regedit (Start>Run>Type "regedit" without the quotes.). Using the tree on the left, browse through to the following entry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>System
If there's a DisableStatusMessages dword there, change it to 1, otherwise add it (right click, add dword) and change it to 1.
Now you'll have to change the background colour of the login screen. Even though you've disabled the login, the screen will still load up in blue as it laoding the personal settings. Again, this is a registry hack like before. Browse to the following entry:
HKEY_USERS>.DEFAULT>Control Panel>Colors>Background
The default value of this is an RGB value. For the sake of ease, if you change this to 0 0 0, you will get a black screen.
Disable the bootscreen using the command prompt "msconfig" and under the "Boot INI" tab select "NOGUIBOOT" this will remove the boot screen.

Voila! Your PC will boot straight into windows bypassing the bootscreen and login screen and autostartig your PVR APP if you have it set to start up! Furthermore, on shutdown, you don't get any Windows messages saying "Logging Off" or "Shutting Down" Looks very clean.

People always ask me wheres your computer? That can't believe its on the top staring right at them. BTW the one in my sig is old... I've since upgraded to a nicer case.. a thermaltake mozart with VFD.

 

[CheesePoofs]

To your Linux comment, I honestly fine Linux less of a hassle than windows. I break it a lot, but windows manages to break itself. I'd prefer if I do the breaking. Plus there's just about always a way to fix a Linux problem because you have access to everything ... windows isn't always so nice. But the initial setup normally is easier for windows (unless you suck at installing windows).