86 replies to this topic

[TheHive]

Im thinking this is the one that is being refered to being changed to a more universal one. You get the same screen if you build using Windows XP or Windows 2003 as the source.


Any one have a rough sketch or idea to what to include. Slap it on this thread. Pictures Text and stuff so that we get a good idead. This way we can have a concensus and a sorta beta Screens until we like one to include. It will take time but we will find one.

My vision would be simple, clean, and universal.

This is the one we have now:


Topic brought up at the following thread posts:
Post #47 by phox
http://www.boot-land...?...post&p=2554

6.4. I don’t believe that Microsoft will be happy to see label “Windows XP Professional” on some other program than its own.

and post #49 by Martin 'draugen' Andersen
http://www.boot-land...?...post&p=2573

This is a part of NTOSKRNL.EXE we'd have to add a /bootlogo parameter to the osloadoptions:

;TXSETUP.SIF extract

[setupdata]; I think that's the section name

osloadoptions="/fastdetect /minint /bootlogo=foo.bmp";I think - from memory this :)

TheHive, you're apparently the resident graphical artist. Do you have time to create a bootlogo for winbuilder's PE build? IIRC, the image needs to be a 16 color .bmp, 640x480 pixels large. That MAY be incorrect though-

[was_jaclaz]

@TheHive
Image is 640x480 16bit RLE encoded bitmap (.bmp) file.

Please also have a look at my reply in said thread.


jaclaz

[TheHive]

Thanks!

For future reference to others that might come along to this thread.

I think that it is not so easy, if I am not wrong there are two ways:
1) hexedit ntkrnlmp.exe (potentially illegal)
2) using a third party app (stardock bootskin):
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=11436
which is however free for non-commercial use:
http://www.stardock....ducts/bootskin/
The one you are referring to, is probably this setting in boot.ini:
http://www.sysintern...on/bootini.html

but it appears not to be working if /minint switch is used, or however if used in txtsetup.sif instead of boot.ini:
http://www.911cd.net...p...=8343&st=30
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=15140

Besides, I wouldn't be so sure it is legal to take off
"Copyright © Microsoft Corporation"
"Microsoft ®"
Windows® XP"
and the "TM" mention

So, if I am wrong, i.e. changing the bootlogo is an easy thing to do, and if TheHive will take the graphical part in his hands , I do suggest to keep the above information in the bootscreen.

jaclaz

If you guys can take care of the technincal side and it will be easy to implement a more universal image then you can post results on the new thread.
http://www.boot-land...p?showtopic=339

Then we can get started. Otherwise we will hit a brick wall.

[smiley]

using sherpya's bootvid works great but i havn't managed ti import a custom bitmap. @TheHive: Can you try it also?

[was_jaclaz]

@smiley
It should not be difficult, you need resource hacker:
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
Open the bootvid.dll file, choose bitmap 100/1033 then choose Action -> Replace bitmap

Or can you be more specific what the problem is?

jaclaz

[smiley]

I replace the image but when it boots it says something about ntoskrnl.exe (all the message is unreadable except of ntoskrnl.exe - this happens because i use greek source)

[was_jaclaz]

I guess it is a problem with the image itself, can you post exact type and size of the image and how you made it?

Original one is:
640x480 16 colours RLE encoded
Size 133.940 bytes

jaclaz

[smiley]

can you send me one to test it?

[pedrole15]

can you send me one to test it?

Look that  BootScr.zip   64.09KB   813 downloads

[TheHive]

using sherpya's bootvid works great but i havn't managed ti import a custom bitmap. @TheHive: Can you try it also?

Tested with the original clean bootvid.dll.
First i had to delete the compressed bootvid.dl_ already included in the Target folder. Then It booted fine with the Jolie picture.


I created a simple test image and used pedrole15 16 color pallete inlcuded in the attachment using 640x480 16 colours RLE encoded and then I tried inporting an image to the bootvid but all i get is a black screen when booting. It just stays there.

[was_jaclaz]

can you send me one to test it?

Smiley, sorry, I went offline and didn't see your request.

This one is a 640x480 16 colours RLE encoded:
http://distro.ibibli...splash/boot.bmp

A non RLE encoded bitmap is always exactly 153.718 byte i.e. 640x480/2=153.600 + 118 header
A RLE encoded, being a compressed image, has variable dimension.

Maybe another image comes out too small and goes somehow "out of range" of the possibilities of bootvid.dll.

I hope the above makes sense.

jaclaz

[TheHive]

jaclaz what program are you using to create the bmp image.
The image you posted works within the bootvid.dll and boots up.

Can you show and create a small tutorial how you get the image you posted. Thanks!

[Alexei]

Just forget it. /noguiboot as booting option works like a charm (and without any legal issues)
If you want pretty image, just make it wallpaper
Sorry, no offense intended! I just think it's not time for "all the blows and whistles" yet
All my PCs are booting with /sos and /noguiboot Though /noguiboot has disadvantage of not seeing chkdsk working, I prefer it to watching MS logo

Alexei
PS
Regarding the image, I would prefer something smooth and blue, like old NU2.NU wallpaper
Maybe it should be something about construction, such as this one http://us.movies1.yi...rathea_vfx3.jpg
from "The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy" However it would be funny to have something about real glass windows

[Brito]

It would be nice to have a matching boot logo and wallpaper. I like the style of the boot land logo (without any titles on it - just the graphic elements), it's simple and looks good..

[TheHive]

Alexei & Nuno seem to like the blue and dark and I do like the boot up logo. Ill see if can make it bigger and look good.

Something like this. As suggested, without the Copyright text. Similar to this but bigger.

[was_jaclaz]

@TheHive

That image is not made by me, you know how bad I am with graphics!

However procedure is simple, using The Gimp:
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/
1) Open a new file 640x480
2) Draw whatever you like
3) Image ->Mode -> Indexed -> Maximum number of colours:16 - OK
4) Save as -> Select File type by extension -> Select Windows BMP image .bmp
5) The Gimp will (probably) ask confirmation to Export, click on Export
6) The Gimp will ask you for RLE encoded, check the box and click on OK

The attached image is (badly ) drawn as above, please test it in bootvid.dll


jaclaz

 TheHivetest.bmp   130.01KB   1214 downloads

As suggested, without the Copyright text.

Are we really sure about this?

[TheHive]

Im speaking about the Nuno copyright from the screenshot I posted.

Why would we need to put the copyright from MS in our boot up logo if its not messing with the actual MS file?

I just tested your test image and it works fine when booting up. Thanks for the Small tutorial. I guess I have to export the result to the gimp to get a good boot screen result. I was using Photoshop with similar options that you mentioned but it didnt create a working image for the boot Screen. Ill have to download and use the Gimp for output. Thanks!

[smiley]

I think that i'll also download The Gimp. I export every image with Photoshop and i haven't managed to make it work

[TheHive]

However procedure is simple, using The Gimp:
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/
1) Open a new file 640x480
2) Draw whatever you like
3) Image ->Mode -> Indexed -> Maximum number of colours:16 - OK
4) Save as -> Select File type by extension -> Select Windows BMP image .bmp
5) The Gimp will (probably) ask confirmation to Export, click on Export
6) The Gimp will ask you for RLE encoded, check the box and click on OK

Followed the procedure as mentioned and I was able to create a good Boot Image. The color limit sucks and makes the image look a bit bad but its working.

Another thing is that there is no progress bar. Is there anyway to add it?

[TheHive]

Sample Screenshot. See if you all like it. 16 colors

[Brito]

I like it..

But now it seems that the TFT display is not part of image, can you post without it?

Nice work!

[TheHive]

The blue is the strongest and what seems to hold the image from looking to degraded.



The white is more dominant on this one and why you see more white dots.

[Alexei]

It's very nice as a flash screen I like it
However, it could be some minor concerns:
- in couple years I386 dir would look very outdated
- is it OK with MS to show info about its files?
- marking on the CD
- Central part of the CD may be too bright.
- I can see very distinctive color dots on the image (diftering issue?)
Maybe:
- make center of the CD dimmer/blueish/goldish/whatever
- make CD marking: "www.boot-land.net"
- make I386 a bit dimmer
- re-work colorful reflections on the CD
You can also want to play with:
- adding more of 3D (place CD at slight angle, etc.)
- gradual brightness of the texting
- different text contents
I'd say, there are two things to keep in mind:
- Logo's supposed to be for long.
- People may want to use it as wallpaper.
Also, I believe, very tiny copyright to protect the picture has to be added.
Though, I'm afraid, I'm becoming too boring with my suggestions on everything Sorry!

Alexei

[was_jaclaz]

@TheHive
Nice work, as usual!

About the Copyright issue, one can put a notice as detailed here:
http://www.copyright.../circ1.html#fnv
though not really necessary, see here:
http://www.copyright.../circ1.html#noc
(reading the entire page http://www.copyright...circs/circ1.htm one learns quite a lot about this issues)
Since the notice must state - at least :
1) the © symbol or the word "Copyright" or "Copr." (easy)
2) the year of first publication (easy, 2006)
3) the OWNER of the work (it might be tricky, as, legally speaking, the "bootland forum" or "Winbuilder" are non-entities, a nickname like TheHive might not be enough unique and distinctive, so that an unprobable legal action would not be possible for lack of the subject or lack of prove of ownership)

I am afraid that last considerations would apply also for a ™ or ®, so that it will in practice guarantee nothing.
See also this about the problems with ™ and ®:
http://www.uspto.gov...trade_defin.htm


As I see it, since what "winbuilder" does is to create a bootable environent BASED on Microsoft®'s Files, part of the Windows® XP or 2003 technology, having
somewhere on the bootscreen
"Winbuilder, based on Microsoft® Windows®"
might not be strictly compulsory, but I feel that it could be advisable.

- I can see very distinctive color dots on the image (diftering issue?)

There are various dithering options when transforming image from RGB to indexed 16 colours, but I am afraid that 16 colours are really a very small amount.
If you see some of the GRUB splashscreens, which have even stricter requisites, 14 Colours 640x480:
http://schragehome.de/splash/
http://www.schultz-net.dk/grub.html
you will notice that nice looking images are much less "rich" in contents that the image TheHive made.

Another thing is that there is no progress bar. Is there anyway to add it?

hmmm..., I think that the bootvid.dll method does not allow it, but I'll have a look what I can find on the matter.

jaclaz

[TheHive]

Though, I'm afraid, I'm becoming too boring with my suggestions on everything Sorry!

Alexei

Not boring. The more info I get the more of a possbiility to try accommodate a bigger audience. Not everthing can be possible but the more there are the more likely the majority will be implemented.
Others might see things that I dont at time of creation so thats one reason I post images so they can be viewed and new ideas can come to try to make it look better. Thats how we came out with the BooLand Logo.

About the Copyright issue, one can put a notice

though not really necessary

Ill go with the one that doesnt really require Copyright stuff all over the Image. It should already be known that your using your oun version of Windows XP or 2003 to create the bootable ISO. And Winbuilder already does alot of explaining to the user that they require there own Windows Source.

There are various dithering options when transforming image from RGB to indexed 16 colours, but I am afraid that 16 colours are really a very small amount.
If you see some of the GRUB splashscreens, which have even stricter requisites, 14 Colours 640x480:
http://schragehome.de/splash/
http://www.schultz-net.dk/grub.html
you will notice that nice looking images are much less "rich" in contents that the image TheHive made.
hmmm..., I think that the bootvid.dll method does not allow it, but I'll have a look what I can find on the matter.

jaclaz

Thanks! i get better results using one of the other options.


Some screenshots using other dithering option. They seem to look better.




The white letter on the CD are hard to distinguish after dithering. It says "Build based on Microsoft® Windows®"