//][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][\\ // \\ || /--/ _-----_ || || / / / .=-/ || || / / \__, \ tep __ __ __ __ __ __ || || / /ite_--/ > / /\ / /_ / / /_ /_/ / / || || / /___/______/ _/ / \/ / /_/ / */ /*/_\* || || /__________/ || \\ [ Frequently asked questions about Litestep] // \\][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][// ____________ < Disclaimer > >----------<____________________________________________________________ | This information was taken from the Litestep mailing list. No \ | one is a definitive expert on YOUR computer system. Because of this, | | no one that had any part in the creation of this document (collection | | or contributing) can be held liable for any advice you take/damage you | | do based upon what you have read here. In other words: | | USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. | \-----------------------------------------------------------------------/ [Compiled/Edited by ]: /\/ecro` [Last Updated On ]: 8/18/99 [Updates ]: |- TOC Formatted & Questions added - 8/18/99 \- Compiled and released - 8/17/99 [Contributions made by]: Kryten -=- Jugg -=- SynTruth -=- KuhndoG DarkNova -=- Walter J Jessen -=- Visigoth Demigod -=- Maduin -=- Morpheus X -=- XXXXXXX The UnOfficial LS v0.24 FAQ - by Shane@litestep.net The Official LS v0.24 FAQ - Too many to list. Thor Hammaraxx /----------------\ [ Table of Contents] \----------------/ .................................................. [1]. The Basics .................................................. [1.1] What is Litestep? [1.2] Why should I use Litestep? [1.3] If I don't know anything about programming, is Litestep too advanced for me? [1.4] Where can I download Litestep? [1.5] What are these 'devbuilds' everyone is talking about? [1.6] Where can I get devbuilds? [1.7] What is a module? [1.8] Where can I get info on module coding? .................................................. [2]. Configuration - Customization - SetUp .................................................. [2.1] What is the step.rc and what does it do? [2.2] How do I delete commented lines from my step.rc? How do I sort my step.rc? [2.3] I made some changes to Litestep in my step.rc, but nothing happened. How can I tell Litestep to update to reflect my new changes? [2.4] Is step.rc held in memory? [2.5] One of my icons is the right colour, the rest are on acid. [2.6] Where can I get a utility that reports the position of the cursor? Where can I get a utility that reports the RGB/Hex code of a color? [2.7] Can I get the date and time to display in <???> format? [2.8] How do I make a screenshot so I can show all my friends just how cool my desktop looks now that I've installed LiteStep? [2.9] How do I make transparent icons? [2.10] Okay, I made some transparent icons, why do they have a magenta halo around them? -=b==Wharf.......(standard)=- [2b.1] How do I specify a background for !Wharftasks, and remove the title on each task? [2b.2] How do I get rid of the wharf, and get my applications to maximise to the full screen size? [2b.3] Can you set an image to appear behind the tasks in !WHARFTASKS? [2b.4] Do all the icons on the wharf have to be the same size? If you simply change the size of all the icons will that make the wharf smaller? -=c==Shortcut.....(standard)=- [2c.1] How do I get my icons to always be on top? -=d==VWM..........(standard)=- [2d.1] Can I open programs to a predetermined virtual window? [(r)2d.2] Can I have a different background for each virtual window? -=e==PopUp.dll....(standard)=- [2e.1] How can I get the control panel in a popup menu? [2e.2] I noticed that !PopupPrograms under Window NT doesn't show contents of the Programs menu for the "All Users" profile. [2e.3] How can I get back my "New" listing that I used to be able to get when I right-clicked on the desktop to make a new file? -=f==Desktop.dll.(standard)=- [2f.1] Is their a replacement for Desktop.dll? -=g==jDesk.dll...(Desktop.dll replacement)=- [2g.1] How do I set the desktop work area on Jdesk? -=h==SysTray.dll.(add-on)=- [2h.1] Can I dock this systray(.dll) to the taskbar, a la the default systray? .................................................. [3]. Advanced Customization/Themeing .................................................. [3.1] WTF is theme.rc? WHERE is the documentation? [3.2] How can i create a bang command to exec simple functions? .................................................. [4]. Litestep Shell Problems .................................................. [4.1] I can't get V_bang working correctly. [4.2] The Gotoworld browser is follwing me around desktops...make it stop. [4.3] My tasks won't go transparent, even though thats suppose to be the default? [4.4] My cd's aren't autostarting! (and you I use jDesk) [4.5] I'm having problems with jDesk's speed, and I use logitech mouse drivers. [4.6] I lost my tray icons, how can I get them back? [4.7] My wharf just disappeared! How can I get it back? [4.8] Sometimes when I recycle, LiteStep appears to crash for no reason and give me an error in French. [4.9] My old shortcut.dll would allow the always on top to work fine, now it doesnt work! .................................................. [5]. Explorerer/Windows Problems .................................................. [5.1] Im using LS, and dont want to waste memory on MS's system tray. How do I get rid of it? [5.2] How do I remove unwanted things from running at Boot-up? [5.3] How do I get rid of the Task Scheduler icon in my system tray? [5.4] I'm running NT w/Litestep and everytime I try to open more then one instance of explorer, I get the error: "My Computer or Windows Explorer has not been properly initialized yet. Please try again later." [5.5] What happened to my desktop icons / folders? Can I have them back? [5.6] How can I get Find Files to work in LiteStep? [5.7] The recycle bin shortcut doesn't work. [5.8] Every time I start my machine while Litestep is loading a white screen appears with all the shortcuts and wharf bar as black shadows. The white screen is caused by Litestep not processing messages while loading modules and startup programs. It just means that Windows can't update the background and therefore just blanks it with the default brush (white). It's not dangerous at all, and is not really a bug, in that nothing is broken. [5.9] Whenever I open Control Panel, Printers, or Explorer in NT, the old Windows shell comes back. [5.10] NT is still popping up the old shell over Litestep. The FAQ answer didn't help. [5.11] I'm sick of using this stupid Explorer for browsing through my folders. What else is there? .................................................. [6]. Other Programs and Applications . .................................................. [6.1] Sometimes when I load a directX reliant program (such as Quake II) the taskbar remains, how do I get rid of it? [6.2] My Compaq doesn't seem to use explorer.exe as its default shell, can I still use LiteStep? [6.3] I lost my playlist window in WinAmp, now I can't get it back! [6.4] PhotoShop palette windows have disappeared or appear on different virtual screens. [6.5] Whenever I install a program, it doesn't add its entries to the start menu! [6.7] Windows disppear completely when I minimise them! [6.8] Got an ATI Graphics card and LiteStep hassles? .................................................. [7]. Help / Contact / Misc. . .................................................. [7.1] Where can I get help aside from this FAQ and the WWW? [7.2] Is their a Litestep news mailing list? [7.3] I can't get on LiteStep.org! /-\ /-----------\ < 1 >[ The Basics ] \-/ \-----------/ [1.1] - What is Litestep? (Edited from readme.txt) Litestep is a shell replacement for Windows 95, 98, and NT, that will give your Windows desktop the AfterSTEP look & feel. It consists of a Wharf toolbar, a popup menu and some modules. The Wharf toolbar is used to organize your most-used applications & modules. The Popup menu will automatically give you access to all installed applications via its included "Start Menu," as well as any other folders and applications you choose. The modules are designed for particular functions, such as a clock, desktop shortcuts, WinAMP plugin, Virtual Window Manager, CPU load monitor, etc. Litestep was designed originally by Francis Gastellu, aka LoneRunnr/Aegis, gastellu@club-internet.fr. It has been released under the GNU public license, and is now being worked on by a group of programmers. More information on the development can be found at the end of the html file included in the Litestep distribution. [1.2] - Why should I use Litestep? * If you come from the Linux world and are used to AfterSTEP. * If having multiple desktops would make your work easier. * If you dislike Microsoft's shell or find it eats too much memory, CPU, and that it is not always stable. * If the look and feel of your desktop is important to you. * If you like to have something different from your friends. * Or simply to try a cool & stable alternative to Microsoft's shell. [1.3] - If I don't know anything about programming, is Litestep too advanced for me? Well, experience in programming is not necessary to run Litestep. All you need is some free time, a bit of an eye for aesthetics, and some basic understanding of computers. Make sure you read through all the documentation that comes with the download, and look through this FAQ as well. [1.4] Where can I download Litestep? Warewolf's Installer: http://warewolf.litestep.com/distropage/ Beta Installer w/ an incomplete(?) and unofficial 0.24.5 version. Fahim's Builds: http://members.tripod.com/~Cyberian/LiteStep/Downloads.htm Just a Zip file, extract into C:\LITESTEP, get a theme and read the docs and you should be good. The 'Latest Official Release' is always at : www.litestep.com [1.5] What are these 'devbuilds' everyone is talking about? Since Litestep is opensource, and many people are working on it, the program is in constant development. Because of this a new 'development build' gets released periodically. Devbuilds vary in stability, and it is not recommended you utilize one until you have some grasp on how Litestep works. [1.6] Where can I get devbuilds? http://maduin.dasoft.org/ls. [1.7] What is a module? A module (normally a .dll file) is a 'Add-On' to Litestep. Litestep is essentially a 'Module Loader'. What this means is, you decide what functionality your interface has. (Stop reading now if your confused, you'll only get more confused) Basically, add-ons either give you new commands to utilize, or show something in the wharf bar, or on your desktop. [1.8] Where can I get info on module coding? http://lssource.cjb.net /-\ /-------------------------------------\ < 2 >[ Configuration - Customization - SetUp ] \-/ \-------------------------------------/ [2.1] What is the step.rc and what does it do? The step.rc file is the configuration file that LiteStep reads whenever it loads or recycles. It defines how LiteStep constructs the wharf, the virtual window manager, the popup menus and all the other aspects of LiteStep. The readme.txt file in the LiteStep distribution has almost-complete documentation on the parts of the step.rc. [2.2] How do I delete commented lines from my step.rc? How do I sort my step.rc? Try LSSort by Black Hawk http://tinomen.chunkymunky.com/apps.shtml#shellext http://blkhawk.cjb.net/bin/lssort.zip [2.3] I made some changes to Litestep in my step.rc, but nothing happened. How can I tell Litestep to update to reflect my new changes? As of this release, Litestep requires a "recycle" to load any changes in the step.rc. In the default configuration, either click the topmost wharf button (System), then the "Recycle" button, or right-click the desktop to show the pop-up menu, and click "Recycle." [2.4] Is step.rc held in memory? Only lines that have commands are stored in memory. comments, blank lines, and extra whitespace are discarded. [2.5] One of my icons is the right colour, the rest are on acid. You're running at too small a colour depth. Either increase the colour depth of your display (16 bit or higher is preferred) or dither all of your icons to the same 256 colour windows palette. [2.6] Where can I get a utility that reports the position of the cursor? Where can I get a utility that reports the RGB/Hex code of a color? Eyedropper at http://www.inetia.com/ does all of this (and more). [2.7] Can I get the date and time to display in <???> format? Try the Chronos module from maduin, get it at : http://maduin.dasoft.org [2.8] How do I make a screenshot so I can show all my friends just how cool my desktop looks now that I've installed LiteStep? Follow this simple set of steps: 1. Arrange your desktop as you want it (windows, popup menu etc). 2. Hit the [Print Screen] button. 3. Open your favourite graphics editor. 4. Create a new blank file the size of your desktop (eg 800x600). 5. Hit [Ctrl]-[V] (for paste). 6. Save the file (preferably in .JPG or .GIF format to put it on the web). [2.9] How do I make transparent icons? When designing your icons, just paint the color magenta (255, 0, 255 RGB or #FF00FF) where you want the transparency. [2.10] Okay, I made some transparent icons, why do they have a magenta halo around them? You have to turn off anti-aliasing when you're filling in with magenta. In Photoshop, there's a checkbox you must de-check when using the paint bucket tool. -=[Questions about Specific Modules]=- [2b] [Wharf.dll] [2b.1] How do I specify a background for !Wharftasks, and remove the title on each task? It is not possible. (we think). [2b.2] How do I get rid of the wharf, and get my applications to maximise to the full screen size? Litestep 0.24.0 is modular. You can simply comment out (by placing a ";" in front of the line) the following line so it looks like: ;LoadModule C:\LITESTEP\wharf.dll [2b.3] Can you set an image to appear behind the tasks in !WHARFTASKS? The 'Default Wharf Folder Background Tile' option should fill in !WharfTasks as well : FolderBackPix $ThemePath$ss_tile.bmp [2b.4] Do all the icons on the wharf have to be the same size? If you simply change the size of all the icons will that make the wharf smaller? No, each icon in the wharf must be 64x64. If you want another size, you can use a replacement wharf.dll (such as dwarf.dll). [2c] [Shortcut.dll] [2c.1] How do I get my icons to always be on top? Get Easycuts.dll, a replacement for shortcut.dll. When defining a shorcut, simply put #T instead of just leaving the # out, or usint #1H or what not. [2d] [VWM.dll] [2d.1] Can I open programs to a predetermined virtual window? Some folks have had some decent luck using WStart (a start command replacement that allows you to specify position of the app to load, as well as priority, etc.) It even works across the vwm positions (I think they're relative on a single large space). Get it at: ftp://ftp.rsu.ru/pub/windows/ [(r)2d.2] Can I have a different background for each virtual window? No, not really. There is a workaround here, if you make a background that is four times the size of your screen, then put different images in each corner, you will effectively have a different background for each window. [2e] [popup.dll] [2e.1] How can I get the control panel in a popup menu? Follow this simple set of steps: 1. Make a folder such as c:\litestep\control panel\ 2. Make shortcuts to all the control panels you want in there. 3. Add this line to your step.rc file: o *Popup "Control Panel" !PopupFolder:"c:\litestep\control panel\" [2e.2] I noticed that !PopupPrograms under Window NT doesn't show contents of the Programs menu for the "All Users" profile. Just add a !PopupFolder entry for "c:\winnt\profiles\all users\start menu\programs" and call it "Common" or something. [2e.3] How can I get back my "New" listing that I used to be able to get when I right-clicked on the desktop to make a new file? Make a directory somewhere (anywhere) named "New" then call it as a popup like this: *Popup "New" !PopupFolder:E:\New Then, all you have to do is add shortcuts to your hearts content to that folder, renaming them appropriately. For instance instead of having a shortcut in there named ""Shortcut to Notepad.exe"" rename it "Text File" so that it fits with the context (New - Text File). (Gordy Robbins, Utility_Oper@communityonline.net) [2f] [Desktop.dll] [2f.1] Is their a replacement for Desktop.dll? Try Jugg's Jdesk.dll (http://aster.omega2.com/jugg/). "Its faster, more stable, and doesn't have the problem with the background not refreshing that desktop.dll has. It also enhances the SDA commands, as well as adding the power to bind your mouse keys to any !bang command that you would like." -Jugg [2g] [jDesk.dll] [2g.1] How do I set the desktop work area on Jdesk? jDeskWorkArea "n,n,n,n" [2h] [SysTray.dll] [2h.1] Can I dock this systray(.dll) to the taskbar, a la the default systray? No, the only way the have the tray docked to the taskbar is to use the standard LS systray. /-\ /-------------------------------\ < 3 >[ Advanced Customization/Themeing ] \-/ \-------------------------------/ [3.2] WTF is theme.rc? WHERE is the documentation? No official documentation yet, but try these sites : http://tinomen.chunkymunky.com/ls24thms.html http://www.sinica.edu.tw/%7Ecclo/litestep/ls-024-theme.txt http://tinomen.chunkymunky.com/ls24thms.html [3.2] How can i create a bang command to exec simple funcions? (e.g. "c:\litestep\litespawn\litespawn.exe -restart") Get Lscript package and you can make just about any bang command. http://www.chunkymunky.com/hosted/killarny/ /-\ /-----------------------\ < 4 >[ Litestep Shell Problems ] \-/ \-----------------------/ [4.1] I can't get V_bang working correctly. - Make sure you have v1.3 (http://blkhawk.cjb.net/bin/v_bang13.zip) - This DOES have conflicts with tasks.dll, so be aware. The dev build may not. [4.2] The Gotoworld browser is follwing me around desktops...make it stop. Add VWMNoSwitchOnFocus to your step.rc. That should stop the browser from jumping around. [4.3] My tasks won't go transparent, even though thats suppose to be the default? Sometimes the default isn't good enough. Try adding these lines to your step.rc : TasksBgColor FF00FF TasksDarkColor FF00FF TasksLightColor FF00FF TasksHighLightSelected TasksSelBgColor FF00FF TasksSelDarkColor FF00FF TasksSelLightColor FF00FF TasksHighLightMinimized TasksMinBgColor FF00FF TasksMinDarkColor FF00FF TasksMinLightColor FF00FF [4.4] My cd's aren't autostarting! (and you I use jDesk) jDesk does not support that function. It adds about 20kb to the module if the code from the normal desktop.dll that enables autorun is added. [4.5] I'm having problems with jDesk's speed, and I use logitech mouse drivers. Logitech mouse drivers are the problem: 'I did a lot of tracking to figure out what the problem is...finally found it too. jDesk has some sort of conflict with my Logitech mouse drivers, specifically a program called em_exec.exe The mouse is a First Mouse +, and the drivers are Mouseware 7.5. I'm wondering if it just has a problem with a single portion of the drivers, so I'll try changing the middle mouse function to see if there is a conflict. I was using it to call up a nifty popup task list that is built into the drivers. I played around a lot with my litestep and windows loadup settings, and I can definitely say that the problem only occurs when both jDesk and em_exec.exe are loaded into memory. I'm not really sure what exactly the problem is.' -???? It is possible to remove all logitech mouseware and then hack the registry to assign activities to buttons. Check the logitech web site for more information. [4.6] I lost my tray icons, how can I get them back? If LiteStep crashes or you close it, then restart LiteStep (ie not recycling), LiteStep will not regather your system tray. To get it back either restart the programs in it one by one (by closing and reopening them in the Task Manager - hit Ctrl-Alt-Del), logoff and log back on again or restart the computer. [4.7] My wharf just disappeared! How can I get it back? There are a few ways to get LiteStep back running after a crash, but it will probably still be unstable after this. It is best to save your work and restart the computer. To get LiteStep running again: * Use run or recycle in your popup menu (if it still works). * If you have an Explorer window open, browse to your Litestep directory, and run litestep.exe * If you have any programs open, go to File - Open, browse to your Litestep directory, change the view to "All files," right-click on litestep.exe, and click "Open." * Under NT, use the task manager to spawn a new process, and re-run litestep.exe. [4.8] Sometimes when I recycle, LiteStep appears to crash for no reason and give me an error in French. LiteStep doesn't seem to like recycling multiple times (ie more than 4 or 5), especially under NT. Restarting the computer (or logging off and on) after every 3 or 4 recycles is a good idea to protect yourself. Also try the command-line recycle, floach.ml.org/utilities/recycle.exe. [4.9] My old shortcut.dll would allow the always on top to work fine, now it doesnt work! - Try switching to EasyCuts. Always on top for certain types of shortcuts does not seem to be implemented in the newest builds of Litestep. - Try adding or removing the line: SystrayAlwaysOnTop [end shortcut.dll] /-\ /---------------------------\ < 5 >[ Explorerer/Windows Problems ] \-/ \---------------------------/ [5.1] Im using LS, and dont want to waste memory on MS's system tray. How do I get rid of it? Win98 --> Run msconfig and unselect "SysTray.exe". Win95 --> 1. Start regedit 2. Go to : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft \Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 3. Delete the SystemTray entry. [5.2] How do I remove unwanted things from running at Boot-up? Try Brad Stower's StartupManager (freeware). Get it at: http://www.delphifreestuff.com/delphi/ under his Freeware page. [5.3] How do I get rid of the Task Scheduler icon in my system tray? If you stop uing Task Scheduler, there be no more icon in the tray but it will disable any scheduled tasks you have. If you want to turn off the icon in the system tray but still use the program it requires that you either hack the registry or use msconfig (if you are using Win98). In msconfig under startup, uncheck the box for Scheduling Agent (this can be done via the registry, but offhand I can't remember what key it's under - try a find under regedit for Scheduling Agent...but backup your registry first). Then Reboot. That will remove the icon from the system tray but still let you schedule tasks. [5.4] I'm running NT w/Litestep and everytime I try to open more then one instance of explorer, I get the error: "My Computer or Windows Explorer has not been properly initialized yet. Please try again later." Their is a registry fix for this. Do the following: 1. Load up REGEDIT. <IE Version Below 4.0> 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ Current Version\Explorer 3. Add the following DWORD Value: Name: DesktopProcess Value: 1 <IE Version 4.0 and up> 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser\NewProcess 3. Add the following String Value: Name: BrowseNewProcess Value: YES [5.5] What happened to my desktop icons / folders? Can I have them back? They're still in the same folder as they've always been. Under Win95 it's c:\windows\desktop, under WinNT it's c:\winnt\profiles\%username%\desktop. It's easiest to make a popup menu of your desktop folder (this is already in your step.rc). Also check out the documentation on making desktop shortcuts. The Drag Drop & Run module gives you some of that functionality, as well. Download the module from floach.pimpin.net, and put it in your Litestep folder, making the necessary changes to your step.rc file. Then simply write a batch file with the following content: copy %1 c:\windows\desktop\ or some other temporary directory of your choice. Place the batchfile in C:\ and manually add the following content to your modules.ini: [wharfddr] programme1=c:\batchfile.bat batchfile being the name of the batch file (you can call it whatever you like). Recycle, and now whenever you drag a file to that first square in the 3x3 block on DDR, your file gets copied to that directory. Put the directory in your popup menu. Now, with DDR, you can even have up to 9 different directories to drop stuff in. (Eric Arnoth, earnoth@UDel.Edu) [5.6] How can I get Find Files to work in LiteStep? There are several ways to find files in LiteStep, here are a few of the best: * Get LSFind utility * Use a third party program such as Servant Salamander or PowerDesk. * Follow this set of steps (provided by Dave Chow, ircbob@usa.net) o Run Explorer temporarily o Select Tools > Find o Input the type of search you want o Select File > Save Search o Now point to the .fnd file created from the step.rc! [5.7] The recycle bin shortcut doesn't work. There are many methods used to get a shortcut to the recycle bin: * Perhaps the neatest is a one line addition to your step.rc: o *Wharf "Recycle Bin" recyclebin.bmp RECYCLED * Another registry based solution is: o *Wharf "Recycle Bin" .extract=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\shell32.dll,31 explorer /root,,::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} [5.8] Every time I start my machine while Litestep is loading a white screen appears with all the shortcuts and wharf bar as black shadows. The white screen is caused by Litestep not processing messages while loading modules and startup programs. It just means that Windows can't update the background and therefore just blanks it with the default brush (white). It's not dangerous at all, and is not really a bug, in that nothing is broken. (Bryan Kilian, bryan@rucus.ru.ac.za) [5.9] Whenever I open Control Panel, Printers, or Explorer in NT, the old Windows shell comes back. This is mentioned in the documentation included with Litestep, but is worth repeating here. 1. Run the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer 3. Add a DWORD value named DesktopProcess and set its value to 1 4. Do the same in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer Also take note that SP4 for NT has a bug in it that sometimes causes problems saving DWORD values in the Registry. If you're using IE4 or above, you must also go into your Internet settings, hit the "Advanced" tab, and make sure "Browse in a new process" is checked. [5.10] NT is still popping up the old shell over Litestep. The FAQ answer didn't help. NT is very domineering when it comes to its shell. Either avoid using Explorer altogether, kill any Explorer processes after you're done playing in Control Panel, or switch Litestep from Current User to All Users: 1. Run the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon 3. Remove the entry named Shell 4. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon 5. Change the value for the entry named Shell to the full path and name of litestep.exe (eg c:\litestep\litestep.exe) 6. Reboot. [5.11] I'm sick of using this stupid Explorer for browsing through my folders. What else is there? * Free products include: o Servant Salamander: http://vorvan.sh.cvut.cz/salamander/ o FMEdit98: http://wkeb1.cableinet.co.uk/raymond.allan/html/fmedit95.htm o TurboBrowser: http://www.pgcc.com/turbobrowser/ * Shareware or commercial products include: o PowerDesk98: http://www.mijenix.com/ o Nico's Commander: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/2686 o TWinExplorer: http://www.twinexplorer.com/ o PC Opus: http://galway.informatik.uni-kl.de/staff/mandola/opus.html /-\ /-------------------------------\ < 6 >[ Other Programs and Applications ] \-/ \-------------------------------/ [6.1] Sometimes when I load a directX reliant program (such as Quake II) the taskbar remains, how do I get rid of it? Just pressing Alt-Tab a few times will get out of the game and back into it, that should remedy your problem. Or disable the wharf, as it may be trying to draw itself on the screen while you're playing. [6.2] My Compaq doesn't seem to use explorer.exe as its default shell, can I still use LiteStep? You can, you may need to follow some of the tips at www.compaq.com/athome/support/paqtip/20072.html to help you. [6.3] I lost my playlist window in WinAmp, now I can't get it back! Edit the winamp.ini file and set wx=0 and wy=0. In future close the playlist window before exiting WinAmp. If that doesn't work, delete winamp.ini, but beware this will reset a lot of your winamp settings to default settings. [6.4] PhotoShop palette windows have disappeared or appear on different virtual screens. There are three solutions to this. * Toggle each palette window: hide window > show window. * Palette > Reset all tools (to reset palette options). * Always use PhotoShop in the same virtual window to avoid problems in the future. [6.5] Whenever I install a program, it doesn't add its entries to the start menu! * Open Regedit, then HKLM (or HKCU) \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon (for Win9x: progman.ini, [boot] section). * Change the shell="C:\litestep\litestep.exe" (or whatever) to shell="explorer.exe". * Run the Install Shield program, until the first MAIN dialog pops up. * Switch back to regedit (or progman.ini), and change the shell="explorer.exe" back to shell="C:\litestep\litestep.exe" (or whatever) * Switch back to the install shield program and continue the install. NB: It is EXTREMELY important to do step 4, do not leave it out or Ultra-Bad Things Will Happen(tm) :-) Why this hack works and what is happening: Install Shield (at least in some versions) starts by running a 16-bit app that looks at the shell= setting, testing the string against "explorer.exe". This 16-bit app then launches the 32-bit install program passing it various bits of info including whether the shell is explorer.exe or not. The 32-bit program does not even bother to perform the relevant shell functions to add groups/items if the shell is not explorer.exe. (Peter Edwards, petere@microgaming.com) [6.6] I run WindowBlinds (.97 unregistered) and Litestep, whenever I switch virtual desktops and return to my initial virtual desktop, the open application windows have shrunk slightly. Eventually,if I switch desktops alot, my application windows eventually scroll up until only the title bar is visible. Recycle as soon as everything has loaded and that will save your problem. NOTE: The problem is in windowblinds, it even causes this problem with their own window manager - Object Desktop Control Center. it is suppose to be fixed in their final release. [6.7] Windows disppear completely when I minimise them! If you find that you "lose" windows from the desktop, you can get them back easily using the !Gather command. Simply bind the !Gather command to a popup or hotkey to get windows back. This command brings all open windows back to the current desktop. This bug will be fixed soon. *Popup !Gather *Hotkey Win F1 !Gather [6.8] Got an ATI Graphics card and LiteStep hassles? Go and get the latest drivers from http://support.atitech.ca/. Many users are reporting success with: All-In-Wonder (Rage2, 2+) - get the v5.21 drivers. All-In-Wonder-Pro - get the v2.54 drivers. 3D-Rage-Pro (found in many Compaqs) - get the v2.54 drivers. Make sure you select the correct driver in your display properties. Display Properties | settings | advanced | adapter tab | change... in the list select the correct driver for your card. e.g. all-in-wonder(ati_m64). If this fails, you can try turning your video acceleration back a couple of notches. Control Panel | Display | Settings | Advanced | Performance. /-\ /------------------\ < 7 >[ Help/Contact/Misc. ] \-/ \------------------/ [7.1] Where can I get help aside from this FAQ and the WWW? Check on EFNet, in #ls_help and #litestep. (don't ask why theirs two, I don't know). [7.2] Is their a Litestep news mailing list? Yes : 'I have started to do a weekly txt only news letter called LSWeekly News. Basically, over a week spanning from Saturday to Friday, i take news from the list and most of the ls sites, throw them into a news letter and mail it out. If your intrested in signing up for this, send mail to demigod@meganet.net with subscribe as the subject, and your e-mail addying the the body. As you can see im not using a listserv bot. Back issues and other news will be kept on http://www.chunkymunky.com/hosted/lsweekly ' - demigod [7.3] I can't get on LiteStep.org! Try: http://www.litestep.org/ http://lsorg.txe.org/ http://lsorg.cjb.net/ http://lsorg.home.dhs.org/ http://209.68.12.126/