Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: darrell,j on July 15, 2005, 01:08:03 PM
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Hello All, am new here, found about the forum in the FAQ's--this is my dilemma::
I have the latest avast home edition, and I done everything that was described in the 15 pages of posts (fixed my virus chest errors) Blessings to all on that, but nothing would work on the skins, still not listed in skins list, have tried the double clicking, manually moving the to the folder, re-booting, etc., everything you suggested, as well as all the other suggestions--when I double click, all I get:: is open with, even tried that:: nothing.....
Have been using this wonderful product for quite some time and, just found the skins-WooHoo ;D ::)........
Have downloaded several, and none work in any way that I have tried......Any help would be Greatly appreciated (I'm probably missing something) LoL ::) ::)
My wife (beth) gets a kick out of "most" of the eye changes I make.....LoL :o :o
Blessings to All
I suppose this a tired topic, from all the reading :-\ :-\ :-\
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For almost all skins (file extension .aswcs):
1) download it
2) double click on the downloaded file
for the others (file extension .zip):
1) download the skin
2) extract the files in it
3) double click on the file .aswcs
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Can you describe the GUI that you are currently using as you may not have skins enabled .
If you wanna check left click A ball and hit settings , in the lower half of page there is a box to check to enable skins.
good luck :)
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Thank You :)
alienator_by_szcraftec-C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Skin there are a several of these, and the rest are-----
ASWS--except for flat screen, which is nothing I guess, and they are all in that location above also, have tried that several times, spent about 7 hrs. reading and trying, before posting........ ???
Also checked the settings through settings, and also through the fix procedure, which fixed my virus chest problem, which I was going to post else where, but found it in with the files on skins, again my gratitude for that, also have been studying up on computers for a long while now, and just recently came across this GUI thing, so I need more info. (I thought it to be cache) Thank You
Blessings ;D
Ps:: have re- downloaded avast, if I need to go that route, which I hope not--truly LoL
psss::we have windows 98 SE, video driver is a RagePro turbo plus
pssss:: we have several other programs with changeable skins, but so far this is the only one we're having trouble with
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So, when you open the skin selection dialog in avast! SImple User Interface - what do you see there?
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I see 5 out of 13, and they are::blue panel, shadow fist, silver panel, scz-kde, and teak zeppelin, which are .asws-and the others, that are not shown are snake, strike, and vizer-.aswf; and 3 from szcraftec-icars, alienator, and black vibe, and one UN-known-flat screen, and the asws-low res; would think the last one would show for sure.........
Would like to get a bunch, and put it on random, just to see how that would work, till I settle on one (or my wife does) LoL :)
since finding skins on some other programs also, been trying to check them all, maybe as the season dies down for me, I think I'll try making some, and hope I don't pick an UN-friendly program to play with LoL :o ??? ::) I sincerely appreciate all of your help here, as I couldn't find that specific issue, which makes me wonder???
Have searched with spybot and ad aware-nothing, and avast keeps finding the slammer, usually 2 or 3 times a scan; don't know how it gets by, and its usually found in my firewalls raw log, which avast was able to quarantine, until the last 2 times he had to delete it on re-boot--ooops-seem to have drifted way off ::).....Ok, anyways, Blessings to All for Your Help :) ;D :)
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OK, now try to concentrate on questions they have asked...
For the beginning choose PROGRAM SETTINGS... from the little icon in the system tray by right clicking it and choosing the appropriate option.
When new window opens, most likely you'll see COMMON tab is already activated. Make sure options ENABLE SKINS FOR SIMPLE USER INTERFACE and ENABLE SKINS FOR EXPLORER EXTENSION are checkmarked (selected).
Post a screenshot, so we all can see how your avast! program console looks like. That will give us a better picture what's going on on your side...
Do you get any error messages from avast! when you enter Windows ?
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attachment a little while to get the attatchment small enough, hope it's legible-LoL :o............(2.3megs-28K)(trial and error-mostly error) LoL ::) lost my favorite paint program when the other computer crashed, so I'm learning new :)(probably did it the hard way though-using mail) :)
Yes, that was one of the first things that I did, because the I.E. box was not checked, I figured I would try it along with the other, and see-no help, and the only error at all, from avast::is the virus chest, which came back again, which I will work on, but, I do not believe that-that is a related issue for this post, and probably belongs else where; still learning the forum do's and dont's-LoL ???......
Also tried un-checking everything, and re-starting; then re-checking and re-starting, still no help...Ok, I nattered enough......
Again, our sincerest gratitude for the help (this one I can't figure out) ::) :'( ::)
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Ok, now I really can't figure out what's your problem here. As far as I can see, your skin is enabled and working without any problems.
You mentioned this:
...when I double click, all I get:: is open with...
That tells me that you're not doing something properly. There is no chance you can get "OPEN WITH..." option if you are properly choosing the skins from avast! program... and btw, that's the only proper way of choosing skins.
Click on avast! MENU, or Right-click somewhere on the skin until you get drop-down menu. Then chose SELECT SKIN... option.
New window "CHOOSE SKIN" will open. Now, there is nothing like double-click in there. That function works only in Windows Explorer or similar file browsers. You don't need them now... You get it ? Ok, let's go back to "CHOOSE SKIN" window... Just click once at the desired skin name and skin will automatically install itself at the place of the current one.
Again, from your screenshot, all I can see is that skins are enabled on your side and everything works properly. Now open that "CHOOSE SKIN" window like I told you to do, and make another screenshot, so we all can see what's inside your skins directory.
Cheers !
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Ok, now I really can't figure out what's your problem here. As far as I can see, your skin is enabled and working without any problems.
Me too, seems to be working... What's the problem? ??? ::)
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I have seen the Open With when downloading skins at the avast site, there is a file association for .asws (or aswf, can't remember) and one of the avast files to install the skin I believe.
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Exactly David, that's true... but now I'm even more confused... does he speaks about installing skins from the web site or from avast! skins subfolder ?
If he uses IE, then he shouldn't have any problems installing skins from the avast! web site... just click and go. If not, even easier... DO NOT choose OPEN WITH... instead, choose SAVE AS...
He can save compressed file (ASWCS file extension) wherever he wants... it can be any temporary folder on his HD. Then, he just have to find that file where he saved it, and doubleclick it. It will autoinstall itself right into default avast! skins directory, but now under ASWS extension (decompressed) ... here is the path:
c:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Skin\
Cheers!
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I guess we will need more feedback as to exactly how he is trying to download/install a skin.
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Ok, here is the best I can do, a little choppy, but I think you will get the picture............
You will notice the desktop icon, and what happens when I double click it, that particular file is also in the skins folder, and it does the same thing; I just re-downloaded it and tried again, and this what happened; I very well may be doing something wrong, but I sure can't figure it, as I am following al the directions that I read first, in 15 some pages, and also what you are telling me here, and I will probaly feel like a total butt if it does turn out that I am missing something here, that's why I researced first-but hey :-\..I'm foulable-LoL :o
Anyways, I am truly grateful to you all for your time and effort in your replies, as they have been much more than I expected from experiences else where-you are truly a great bunch of people!!!!
Blessings.................. :) :) :) ooops, don't know how it came out that big, wish I could've previewed first, if it's possible, I can take it out-LoL :o (I see how below)(definitely clearer) WoW
Ps::also want to add, that I have dowloaded it to every where it should go, and even tried moving it manually....
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aswf files are not skins, these are fonts... Anyway, you're not supposed to GO directly to the Skins folder - use the Skin browser built in avast instead...
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Isn't that what is shown here with only 5 entries ???......
Ok, how do I know which ones are user friendly, as they are listed in the downloads for skins..and to what apps. may they be used???
Thank You :) :) not all asws
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Thank You
alienator_by_szcraftec-C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Skin there are a several of these, and the rest are-----
ASWS--except for flat screen, which is nothing I guess, and they are all in that location above also, have tried that several times, spent about 7 hrs. reading and trying, before posting........
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You can just take a look at those icons... icons with "a" inside shows you skins... all other have nothing to do with skins itself... actually, those are some fonts that most likely Martin used in his skins, but you do not click on those files...
Also, just like Vlk said... do not go into folder on your local hd itself... do it from web site:
http://www.avast.com/eng/skins.html
Click on desired skin name and it will autoinstall itself automatically... no need to "dig" around through local folders on your HD. ;)
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Ok, on the screen shot you will see alienator, which I down loaded from Avast, and this screen shot is a picture of what happened when I double clicked on the icon, and the rest of the picture was to illustrate just where all the files are, and was also requested; I also edited, but will say here that alienator is the one I have been working with mostly, but have tried them all, as in downloading them to the desk top and double clicking, moving them from desk top to skins folder, and downloading them directly to the skins folder; no matter where it goes, I get the open with, on them all, and they are not all asws files, it's probably something simple, I suppose, since it is not a widely addressed subject, but I am just truly in the dark as to what it may be, that is why I am asking the experts; to which I will usually drive myself and my wife nuts trying to figure this stuff out, but am learning to be humble and not obsessed with doing it my way, but still put an extra effort to make sure that I at least spend some time researching first...
Blessings to All ;D ;D ;D
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OK, I know eaxctly what happened... you downloaded Alienator (btw, my dearest baby) from the web site directly to your desktop. I really have no clue why that happened in the first place. When you normally click the name of the skin in skins download section on avast! official web site, skin auto-installs itself and your current skin is immediately replaced with the new one you just downloaded.
However, in your case, skin went to your desktop.
The other problem is, on your desktop, Alienator skin is saved in it's compressed state (ASWCS). ASWCS file type must be associated with ashSimpl.exe file from avast4 folder. If it's not associated with it, then you will always get OPEN WITH... Your OS simply doesn't know which application to use to open that file. If you know how to associate file type with certain application, this is the path for the executable file from avast! folder:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashSimpl.exe
So, to resume... Files with .ASWCS file extension at the end of the file, must be associated with ashSimpl.exe file.
Now, I have a question for you... when you go to avast! official web site, and to skins download section, is there any chance you don't have to save that skin to desktop or it always saves it to the desktop ? Normally, as soon as you click that file (DO NOT use right mouse button, you should click the name of the skin you want to download using left mouse button)
Cheers !
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The answer to your question is that I can download it to any where, and I was left clicking, although some one suggested other ways, to which I tried; although, my blessings to you, as you turned on a light bulb in this sometimes dim mind, and I would like to humbly report the error of my ways; Ok, I went to down load again and noticed this time that it was saving it as a file type, and the only other option was: all types (no dice), sooo, now I'm thinking; Ok, here it is:: I have Avast in my favorites, which is where I was going to the site from, and I would like to report, that this is not a good idea, and remembered seeing a link for more skins in the Avast skins folder, to which I clicked, and it opened internet explorer (which I try not to use-too slow) anyways, I learned a hard valuable lesson here:: sometimes you just have to use I.E., as it downloaded it to a temp. file, which automatically opens the file into the Avast skin folder (need to get back to my military attitude, and pay closer Attn. to detail)..........
I learned computers in the commodore days, and have been working for about 2 years on new wave, and am still pretty ignorant-Huh :-\.......So to make a long story short::Avast skins can only be downloaded from I.E..........Lesson learned-check for links first, and go where they take you (And Stay)!!!!!!!!
I knew it was here--and I TRULY-TRULY want to extend my deepest gratitude for your support--I guess someone had to do it first LoL ::) ::) ::) Ok, here it is----Sincerest Blessings and Gratitude
Was also able to get the RPC server to work again for the virus chest........Looking forward to more posting (intelligently I hope) LoL :) :) :)..........................Thank You Again
Also, should I leave the pics in here??????EXCELLENT SKINS
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OK, I'm glad we finally solved your problems with downloading skins, but you should have said you are not using IE as your default Internet browser. Situation is a little bit different with, for example, Firefox... I don't recall you ever mentioned which browser you use, but I may be wrong.
Anyway, we all thought that by OPEN WITH... you are refering that you tried to open those skin files within Windows Explorer, Total Commander or any other file manager. Since I don't use Firefox that much (IE is my default one, and it's much, much faster on my machine than Firefox, even when it comes to opening itself... naturally it's the default OS'es browser and it's built in), I had no clue that Firefox is not going to install that skin automatically for you... I just checked and assured myself that it's true.
However, this is great example that Alwil should do something regarding this... maybe we can't call it an issue, but sure, some different way of approaching to installing of avast! skins would be very welcome... these days, more and more people uses some other browser than IE, and many of them are new users, unfamiliar with "new" technologies and "complicated" ways of doing something that should be very easy... just like in IE.... Click on skin name, and boom... skin is installed and ready to go.
Isn't there any other way to make downloading and auto-installing of skins possible, when it comes to Mozilla/Firefox/Netscape/Opera/Whatever engine based browsers ?
Darrell,j wrote:
Also, should I leave the pics in here???
@Darrell,j - Just leave them, no harm at all. In the future you can use one of those free services out there, and upload your pics somewhere else, then just recall them by just putting a link to the picture inside your post. That way, pictures will stay somewhere else, not on Alwil's server. For example, I use ImageShack - Link:
http://www.imageshack.us
Upload your picture from your HD, and then you'll get few links... read carefully and see which one suits you best, then use it in these forums...
I personally use DIRECT LINK TO IMAGE, copy the whole line, and put it inside IMG tags when you post... Then, you'll get this:
(http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/2543/imageshack8he.png)
Source code for that looks like this:
[img]http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/2543/imageshack8he.png[/img]
Darrell,j wrote:
...EXCELLENT SKINS
Thanks for your opinion !
Cheers !
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Quick one before work, blessings for the link, will check it out; and I go to Web sites using AoHell, which seems to be getting more un-friendly by the day, but some of the features are cool, so I'm looking for one similar, and again I thank you people for your Superior work here--CHEERS and DOUBLE CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well, I am on a roll here, I believe we figured out how the slammer was getting by avast, even though he picked it up on the scan, well, I remembered the day we downloaded it, and we got a kick out of him spinning around all the time, well, as I watched, he did no spinning at all, even though the on access was on, yes, as you probably guessed by now, the generators were not running, to which, they are now in the persist mode, in hopes that how ever this happened, won't happen again......
Now were both watching, to try and figure it out........
Blessings to All :) ;D :)