Removing the mouse pointer on start up

[sega_mad]

Well I'm brand new to Mame, so please forgive me if I ask some stupid questions!!

I followed the instructions on making my front end (MaLa) a shell......man is that great!!
I just can't get the mouse pointer to dissapear on start up. This link seems to be dead
http://www.systemsmedic.com/DownloadFiles/TweakUIXP.exe
I saw someone else post the same question, and someone hosted the file, I downloaded it, installed it, but when I went to control panel, mouse, pointers, and double clicked the one I wanted to change, there was no file (invisable mouse) there.

Am I doing something wrong?? Or can someone sort me out with the correct version of TweakUIXP.

Many thanks

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

There's no setting for "invisible mouse" in TweakUI.  You need to import your mouse settings (i.e. the single-pixel cursor, if you're using Instant Shell) to the "Logon Desktop." 

See the screenshot attached (red highlights added for emphasis.)

The Logon Desktop, for whatever reason, has its' own set of settings and whatnot, and that's what you're seeing while you wait for Mala to boot...

Anyway, good luck! 

[loadman]

 
I have MaLa as the shell, but the mouse pointer does not appear once MaLa is loaded (unless I right click)

[sega_mad]

Many thanks for the info (pretty sure I understand what to do), but how/where do I get the single pixel cursor??

Cheers

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

The single pixel cursor comes with Instant Sheller (which apparently, you aren't using.)    Or you could just make one with any number of icon/cursor editing programs.

Personally, I edited that cursor to be a tiny 8-pixel circle instead of just a point.  Made it easier to see on those rare occasions I need it, and yet it's still invisible on that 4 or 5 seconds of black background that is the logon desktop.

[gonzo90017]

Personally, I edited that cursor to be a tiny 8-pixel circle instead of just a point. 

Do you mind sharing it?

[sega_mad]

Hi again, thanks for all the great info, I'm using MaLa  for my front end. I downloaded Instant Sheller, and used the "black dot" cursor file, and pasted that into control panel, mouse, pointers. It did the trick.

On boot up, the cursor is completely hidden, but on shut down, it's still there (a white arrow)....any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Are you running XP?

Also, are you actually using Instant Sheller, or did you get it just for the cursor?  I know that sounds like a strange question, but I want to rule that out before going too much further.  It's significantly easier just to use I.S., boot into mala, quit (but not shutdown) and then use Tweak to import all the mouse settings (i.e. cursors, etc.) rather than poking around your OS trying to replace individual cursors/icons/etc..  There's no way that I know of (short of registry hacks that I'm not brave enough to do I suppose...) to edit the logon desktop options other than that particular version of TweakUI... and the logon desktop certainly extends to the shutdown event you're describing.

Personally, I edited that cursor to be a tiny 8-pixel circle instead of just a point. 

Do you mind sharing it?

Ummm... sure!  Glad to help.    I'm at work right now, but I'll find a way to post it this afternoon.

[sega_mad]

Hi again, thanks so much for all your help!! You guys are a wealth of knowledge.

I'm running (tiny) XP pro, revision 2...which is fantastic.

I have it all up and running now. Mouse is only a 1 pixel black dot, which is almost impossible to see, but if I need to change anything in MaLa, it's still possible! I did the whole lot through registry hacks. I just followed (to the letter) the "hiding windows" that was posted on this forum. While it looked/sounded difficult, it was pretty easy......only because the directions were so good.

Thanks again to all

[gonzo90017]

There's an alternative to Instant Sheller made by some guys at Marcianitos.org It's actually pretty amazing. It's simply called Loader http://www.marcianitos.org/tutoriales/loader.php Only problem is that it's in spanish. Just copy the link and make a search with it on google when it comes up, hit the translate button. Here's a brief description of some of its features.

Replaces the windows boot screen
Gets rid of the windows welcome screen, shutting down screen etc. (autologon)
Disables Windows Sounds
Replaces the cursor with a tiny black dot (with me it still appears for a brief moment)
Gets rid of the windows wallpaper

The best part of all is that you have the option to use a sort of front end. Before your frontend loads a little icon appears and if you press a certain button it loads its frontend where you can launch any program you previously configured. In other words Internet explorer, or you can launch different frontends. You can specify the amount of seconds the icon appears or you can just make it so the menu loads every time you start your  pc.

But if you don't press the specified button it just loads whatever program you configured it to.