I've seen this on two laptops lately - the Windows loading screen doesn't stretch to fit the screen like on 99% of machines, it actually displays at it's actual size - ie pretty small in the middle of the screen. Any ideas how to do this?

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux I've seen this on two laptops lately - the Windows loading screen doesn't stretch to fit the screen like on 99% of machines, it actually displays at it's actual size - ie pretty small in the middle of the screen. Any ideas how to do this?

I am not sure how to do that, however if you are intrested in changing the boot screen check out

http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=32

it has a whole s load of ones you can download

Also I would hunt around google I have seen sites that tell you what files windows stores that in.

Quote: Originally Posted by IcEMage I am not sure how to do that, however if you are intrested in changing the boot screen check out http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=32 it has a whole s load of ones you can download Also I would hunt around google I have seen sites that tell you what files windows stores that in.

Yeah, thanks for the link. I'll have to give bootskin another shot.

Regarding this though, I just think it's weird cos both the laptops don't have owners who know much about PCs so it seems to me it might be due to their hardware or something. Just thought it was a bit odd.

Look in your bios, look for auto stretching.

a lot of laptops do this with a Function command on a keyboard, it's done in their specific version of graphics hardware they'll shrink/stretch anything. I don't tihnk it's possible otherwise (from my experience) but I do know that a lot of dell laptops can do it ~_~

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Yeah, thanks for the link. I'll have to give bootskin another shot. Regarding this though, I just think it's weird cos both the laptops don't have owners who know much about PCs so it seems to me it might be due to their hardware or something. Just thought it was a bit odd.

Yah my sister has a dell lapy and I think it does that also, try what Post_Break said that sound right.

Yeah i'm interested in this too, i'll go check that option out now!

Its in the bios guys, just look around.

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break Its in the bios guys, just look around.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Ewwww, this means a dip into the skanky, restrictive Dell bios. Damn, I wish laptops had decent BIOS'.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Thanks for the tips guys. Ewwww, this means a dip into the skanky, restrictive Dell bios. Damn, I wish laptops had decent BIOS'.

Shame its not in my BIOS, had a good look around, bearing in mind that with my laptop BIOS that took the whole of 3 seconds.

This is my bootskin...

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex This is my bootskin...

Get with the times dude, that's really old

Its not that old its just a variation on theme!

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Get with the times dude, that's really old

Er...so? Its pimp.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex This is my bootskin...

That is a cool boot screen.

I tried to switch the boot screen once and it gave me problems. So I just left it alone.

Well, I'm sad to say that changing a windows boot screen cannot be done in BIOS. I happen to have a book called "Hacking Windows XP" by Steve Sinchak. According to this book there are a few ways of changing it, but many are dangerous. If the file you get isn't from the same code of WinXP, it will give an error saying . . . . . ntoskrnl.exe corrupt or missing. Apparently there is a program called bootskin at a .com address by the same name. There are also other websites that have skins that will program should the stock skins that come with the program not be to your liking; such as wincustomize.com and skinbase.org. (btw I checked and the sites work)

Seems super simple according to this book, but I'm not going to recite anything. I personally have used tweak programs that you can alter all kinds of things with including the boot screen, but at first it increased my boot time by about a minute. After downloading some Windows updates, my boot time was OK but it took 3 minutes to shut down on its own. I wouldn't use those programs on a PC that I needed running all the time (learned THAT the hard way a few years ago) There is a way to change some file or somthing, but I forget what it was and it can lead to boot problems so BEWARE TRYING THIS!

I have also seen some computers with customized boot screens from both big name and smaller name computer builders. There is actually quite a bit of stuff you can customize to let people know exactly where the PC was built, some mobo's even come with splash screens that you can alter (just like those old gateways and HPs that had their logo instead of a POST screen). I personally leave mine alone because I pride myself on having smoldering boot times, and haven't had any luck trying to alter or remove pictures without negatively affecting my boot time . Anyway, I hope this helps!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by WrathOfSocrus Well, I'm sad to say that changing a windows boot screen cannot be done in BIOS.

Umm hes not changing the windows boot screen, just stopping the laptop bios from blowing it up to full screen.



This thread is starting to piss me off. See where it says video expansion????? that blows up the bios to be full screen or the windows screen...

I dont think they are listening to you POST_BREAK, its sad because you are right man!

Quote: Originally Posted by PhLaKz'R I dont think they are listening to you POST_BREAK, its sad because you are right man!

Nah, I was listening! Found the option in the BIOS last night, and now my POST screen, BIOS and Windows loading screen are all lovely and small!

Cheers post_break.

On my old Canon Laptop and most of the ones i've worked with, all had this option in older laptops though it would make the screen that small all the time, but i've found in newer laptops that it stay big after windows loads,

yes post_break you were right the whole time, but they just kinda ignored you sry dude