Need Help changing the Welcome and Shutdown Screens on Win XP

[Hituro]

Does anyone know a safe and easy way to get this done?  I basically want to hide the windows welcome and shutdown screens with my own theme for my arcade cab.  I was able to change the windows loading screen using BootSkin, but I still need to change those other screens, and I'm just worried about messing stuff up if I hack the files.  Anyone have any suggestions?

[JohnEDollar]

Hituro:

Be sure to check out the BYOAC Wiki on this subject:  http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Hiding_Windows

(Excellent resource!!!)

- John

[haplo]

In my case I use X10 devices. Specifically the USB Firecracker (CM19a) and Wireless Transceiver (TM751). I originally had these for normal home use (turning lights on and off), but later found out by accident I could use it to hide windows startup/shutdown screens.

I hook the CM19a to my cabinet's PC and the TM751 to my monitor's power cable. The Firecracker comes with a command line software tool that allows me to control the TM751. I have it so the computer turns on the monitor after it loads everything and it's ready to rock. I also have the PC turn off the monitor's power at shutdown, just before showing the "shutting down" screen. I achieve the triggering of these commands with a free tool called Xecutor. This way I don't have to hack anything in windows. It doesn't cost a lot either (about $20 USD). There are other cabinet related uses for this approach as well.

[Hituro]

Thanks for this info!  I will definitely try some of this stuff out   Now if only I can get Sega Model2 Emulator to use 2 Light guns I'd be set   Also need to play with Autokey program so I can hide some of those menus for loading certain PC games like HOD2 and 3, and I'll be all set