Now that we have that out of the way, here we go!

Windows programmers are getting a bit crafty in WinY2K. Microsoft has buried the "Starting Up...." logo or splash screen in C:\WinNT\System32\Ntoskrnl.exe file. Inaccessible? (not!)

First, to actually modify your original "Starting Up...." logo, you need a good resource editor. Resource Hacker Is what I suggest. Get it here.

Now unzip Resource Hacker. Resource Hacker is a stand alone program. You may move the ResHack folder created by your zip utility to the Program Files folder if you wish and create a shortcut to the ResHacker.exe. Place the shortcut in your Start, Programs menu for easy access.

Now that you have the tool to carry out this project we can continue.

We'll be editing a NT/2000 system file so if you are squeamish at all about hacking system files, Beemer's Windows Tips has easier projects for you. Have a nice day.

Steps in a nutshell:

• Make a copy of Ntoskrnl.exe and save it to some where safe on your HDD.
• Make an editable copy and save it to some where safe on your HDD.
• Create a .bmp file that is 640x480 with 16 colours. (16 colours only!) Any more colours and you will get a blank screen for your efforts.
• Use Resource Hacker to import the modified bitmap image into a copy of the Ntoskrnl.exe.
• Replace the original Ntoskrnl.exe with the modified Ntoskrnl.exe in Safe Mode.

Here is what I designed for my machine during this tutorial.

Open your Resource Hacker program and click on File, Open and navigate to your editable Ntoskrnl.exe and open it. this is what you will be looking at. Maximize the window.

• Click the + beside Bitmap.

• Click the + beside the 1 .

• Click the 1033 file and this is what you get. (click the graphic below for a larger shot)

Here are a few tips you will find no where else:

Tip # 1
When you have this screen up, right click on the Windows 2000 graphic and you get a copy option. Use this to paste into your favourite graphics program. Use it as the canvas. When saving you might have a problem. High end image editing programs add some kind of information that can throw a stick into the spokes. If you are having a problem with a blank screen or can't boot, try MS Paint for the finished save. Get your finished product into MS Paint and save it as a 16 colour bitmap. 

Tip #2
Edit the area above the animated line and below the animated line. Don't play with the line! (just yet) Don't remove the progress metre slot either. When you have the finished product, these areas will still animate. This image will copy as a 640x480x16 colour bitmap. this is the size necessary to have this work. Go create your image and come back. I'll be here when you return. Don't forget to create a shortcut to this page or add it to your favourites so you don't get lost.

Tip #3
The flames you see on my logo get caught in the scroll. Some of the tips of the flame are scrolling. I have to cool them down a bit to correct this

Now to replace this original with the one you created:

• Click on Action in the toolbar.

• Click on Replace Bitmap.

• Click on the "Open file with new bitmap" button.

• Navigate to your saved 16 colour bitmap image.

• Click the Open button.

Your new bitmap should appear in the left window

Make sure the "Selected bitmap to replace" has the #1 highlighted and hit the Replace button.
Now you are at a big grey screen. You can check out if it worked by clicking the + beside Bitmap and + beside the #1 and click on the 1033 file. 

Your new bitmap image should be in the window

(Click the image below for full screen shot)

• Click File, Save as.

• Navigate to your editable Ntoskrnl.exe file and replace it with the one you just modified.

• To finish off this exercise, boot into Safe Mode, copy your modified Ntoskrnl.exe and paste it into the WINNT\System32 folder replacing the original.

• Restart your machine and watch the screen.

Here's the final product I am now using.
(click the graphic for a better view)
(Hit F11 on your keyboard when viewing)

Yes the Dogs scroll !    lol

When editing the scrolling line, stay within the original colour pixels until you have the editing all done. Remove any extraneous colour information at the end of the editing session.

There's one more thing you might want to do before you restart:

Change the blue-green coloured background  of your logon screen and maybe add a little branding of your own. Check it out here.

Now, look what you've done!

Beemer's Tutorials...