# FAQ

Troubleshooting text file for WindowPictures

This is a set of questions/answers, which can solve most of the problems.

After reading carefully the whole text file, and in case that you still have some problems, you can contact us (do not send us the questions which are already on this list).

Please inform us if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for improving WindowPictures (see General Information : How to contact us ? ).

FIRST

- windows is translated into several languages, but WindowPictures is not. The use of WindowPictures will be explained in English and of course with English version of windows, ex : button, menu, window title and application names are given in English. Sometimes the words can be different if your version of windows is in Spanish, German or Japanese …So you have to translate these names in your mind. For example, the button 'Start' on the task bar is (probably) named 'empezar' or 'iniciar' in Spanish. Well, if you cannot follow our instructions, recall to translate the names in your own language.

## Summary

> 1 Technical questions
> 1.1 System and softwares working
> 1.2 Display
> 1.2.1 Palette and colors
> 1.2.2 Text
> 1.2.3 Size, dimensions
> 1.3 Using WindowPictures
> 2 Commercial questions
> 3 To contact us

### 1 Technical questions

### 1.1 System and softwares working

Q: After being registered, and receiving my unlock key, I type my key in the Configuration Panel of WindowPictures. Everything worked perfectly until a message appeared saying Your test period is over in spite of my key ! What does it mean ???

A: You probably type a wrong code key, please try again. There is no space in the Key.

Q : With windows 95 or 98, how to avoid the automatic start of WindowPictures at each system start ?

A :

- click on the Eye icon, in the bottom right corner of the screen,
- uncheck the line WP at start.

Q: WindowPictures slows down my computer, my hard-disk is a little bit noisy and its diode often flashes, how to speed up ?

A: You are probably lacking of RAM (random access memory). WindowPictures uses 0.5 to 2 Mb RAM with its Subjects. If you create Subjects with giant pictures, do not forget these pictures will be loaded in memory.

You can choose a subject (with the configuration button of the Configuration panel of WindowPictures) which the sum of its pictures and textures is smaller. They represent textured screen backgrounds, without a big picture. Thus you can easily save 1 or 2 Mb of RAM .

Q: I cannot modify and keep the windows background permanently (the desktop picture) even if i use the control panel of windows. How to change the background ?

A: While WindowPictures is running, it takes the control of the desktop pictures.

You can disable this control or create your own Subjects to change pictures and textures.

1. Disabling the desktop picture of WindowPictures:
   Click on the Eye icon, and uncheck the line Use WP image on desktop.
2. Creating a subject:

- Run Control panel of WindowPictures in the Start menu,
- click on the line Windows display configuration
- click on the button Save Subject as (to create your own Subject),
- enter a name,
- click on the button Background,
- search for your picture and wait until it is transformed to be usable for WindowPictures
- click on OK.

### 1.2 Display

Q: Icons on desktop become blue when selected, but their text does not change.

A: It is normal.
A next version of WindowPictures will change the text in a sort of tinted glass.

### 1.2.1 Palette and colors

Q: Sometimes the windows of colors choice (for example in the control panel) draw textures instead of plain colors. How to change it ?

A: In the current version of WindowPictures, there is no way to prevent that. You can try to choose a quite similar color. But according to the applications, it could work only if your video adapter is configured for MORE than 256 colors (32000,65000,16 million colors or more). By all means, you are advised to configure your video adapter with 16 bits (65536 colors) or more, to avoid any problems.

Q: WindowPictures is displaying only gray pictures and textures, and very slowly. How to display beautiful colors ?

A: Your video adapter is probably configured for 16 colors. You have to configure it for 256 colors, or better for 65536 colors, or even more : see How to change the colors number of the video adapter ?

Q : Wrong colors for some big pictures (ex : the blue sky becomes gray-green). How can I find the right colors ?

A : Your video adapter is probably adjusted to 256 colors (8bits), you should adjust it to 32768 colors (15bits) or more. For more information, see question How to change the colors number of the video adapter ?

Q: How to change the colors number of the video adapter ?

A: To configure your video adapter for 256 colors, or better for 65536 colors, or even more :

- use the menus Start / Parameters / Control panel,
- open the Display icon,
- choose the Configuration tab,

- in the list 'Color palettes', choose a palette with more than 256 colors, that is to say 15,16,24,32 bits or more.

You can content yourself with 256 colors, but you might have other problems.

If you cannot find a choice with more than 16 colors (4 bits), that means you did not install your video adapter's driver, which is usually delivered on a diskette with your adapter. Otherwise, try to use driver of windows:

- click on the menus Start / Parameters / Control Panel,
- open the Add peripheral icon,
- follow the instructions..

### 1.2.2 Text

Q: In some softwares, a few text lines keep a plain background instead of a background with a picture, how to display them normally ?

A: We are working on this problem.

Q: When I select a text or other elements, in some applications, a pack of multi-colored pixels appears instead of the normal reversed colors.

A: You have to configure your video adapter for more than 256 colors, see the question: How to change the colors number of the video adapter ?

Q: The text insertion causes an ugly shifting picture of the background.

A: This version of WindowPictures cannot solve that problem yet. You can update your version for free, by using the next versions 2.x.
For now, you can choose text background texture more repetitive. So the problem will quite disapear.

### 1.2.3 Size, dimensions

Q : With a screen resolution higher than 800*600 pixels, big pictures are repeated in mosaic instead of taking the whole screen.

A : Next WindowPictures versions will solve this problem. If you are registred for the present version , you will get for free all the version 2.x, so this problem will be solved for you soon.

1.3 Using WindowPictures

Q: How can I create my own subjects and give Windows a complete new look ?

A:

- Run the Control panel of WindowPictures (in the menu Start).
- Then click on button windows display configuration.
- At the bottom on the right, choose a subject which will be the base. And click on the button Apply, in that way, you will able to see your modifications without closing the Control panel.
- Click on the button Save subject as to give a name to your new subject.
- To apply a texture to any element of the Windows interface, click on the name of the pictures on the right of the element description.
- For example:
  - at the top, click on the name of the picture on the right of the element Window.
  - Now a picture choosing box appears.
  - The list of the textures delivered with the software is available in the default directory.
  - If you want to apply your own picture, navigate in the directories as you want (you can see that many pictures formats are available). In that case, once the picture chosen, WindowPictures will transform it in its own format, it will take a few moments.

### 2 Commercial questions

Q: How can I buy WindowPictures ?

A: Run the Control panel of WindowPictures (int Start menu). Then click on button Registration form: to purchase WindowPictures.
You can consult the information page about purchasing.

### 3 To contact us

Q: If I have any problems, how can I tell you ?

A: Please inform us if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for improving WindowPictures. Make sure that the problem is not already treated in the set of questions/answers.

You can write to us, see the question at the end: General Information : How to contact us ?

In any case, you must:

- give us
  - your computer processor reference (ex AMD K6-3D 350 Mhz),
  - the operating system (ex windows 98),
  - the RAM amount (ex 64 Mb),
  - the hard-disk free space in the directory WindPict (ex 3.2 Gb),
  - the video mode when you get in trouble (ex 1024*768 with 65536 colors).

- tell us, if possible, all the loaded applications when the problem appeared. You can type ONE TIME the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys, write the application list, then click on Cancel. In any case you have to expose at least the application that causes you problem.

- describe briefly the way that you are always in troubles. Ex: I run the explorer, then I scroll the right window with the vertical scrolling button (with the mouse).

Q: General Information : How to contact us ?

- On Internet, our Web site is: http://www.WindowPictures.com

- Our email addresses,
  - commercial questions: EnSales@WindowPictures.com
  - technical questions: EnSupport@WindowPictures.com

  The delay for answering is a couple of days. But can be longer for week-end, bank holidays, or if there are a lot of mails.
  Please do not send us pictures or other material, only text.

- by postal mail, to:

Michel BERTRAND
B.P. 334
38204 VIENNE Cedex
FRANCE