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Uninstalling a screensaver
The standard method to uninstall a Windows
screensaver is through the Add/Remove Programs feature of Control
Panel.
When uninstalling a screensaver through the Add/Remove Programs
feature, be sure to de-activate it by choosing a different
screensaver or None in the Display/screensaver menu. Then click
the "OK" or the "Apply" button of Display and
close the Display screen before using the Add/Remove. Otherwise
the uninstall may not work.
To delete the original downloaded file, go to the directory where
it was placed. If not sure, do a search. They usually have a .zip
or .exe extension. |
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Coolscreens >
Frequently Asked Questions
All software
titles available for download through this website, Coolscreens.com,
are provided by third party software author/vendors.
Please contact the author/website directly for all questions pertaining
to a program. A link to their website is provided along with the program
listing.
To download a screensaver, click on the title. For more information,
screenshots or to purchase a screen saver, please click on the author
name. |
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| What
is shareware?
"Shareware is a marketing method, not a type of software or
even strictly just a distribution method. When software is marketed
through normal retail channels, you are forced to pay for the product
before you've even seen it. The shareware marketing method lets
you try a program before you buy it. Since you've tried the program,
you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay for it.
A shareware program is just like a program you find in major stores,
catalogs, and other places where software is purchased; except you
get to use it, on your own computer, before paying for it."
ASP
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| What is a .zip file?
A .zip is a file extension that denotes one or more files has been
archived using a .zip compression format.
When a file or files are zipped, they are compressed together into
one .zip file, which becomes smaller than the total size of the
files uncompressed. This saves disk storage space, facilitates faster
downloading, uploading, e-mailing and overall handling ease.
In the case of zipped screensavers, once downloaded, an unzipping
utility is used to decompress and extract the files that are within.
Extracted files will be listed in the unzipping utility and double
clicking on the executable install file ".exe" and running
the file will install the screensaver.
Some zipped files do not have an executable install file ".exe".
In that case double clicking on the ".scr" file (the screensaver
file) will run the screensaver. There should be instructions in
the form of a "Read Me" or "Help" text files
within the extracted files which can be opened and read by double
clicking on the file.
Always scan downloaded files first with an anti-virus utility before
proceeding.
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| How
to install a screensaver.
After Downloading:
1. Go to "Start" and click "Run".
2. "Browse" to the directory where you saved the file
and click on the file.
3. Click "Open", click "OK".
The screensaver will install itself onto your computer.
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| How
to uninstall a screensaver.
First de-activate the screensaver by choosing a different
screensaver in the Display/screensaver menu, then click the "Apply"
or "OK" button and close the Display screen.
Go to Control Panel. Click on the Add/Remove Programs. Scroll down
the list until you find (Name of Screensaver). Click on Add/Remove.
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| How to easily make a
wallpaper.
Before you begin, please keep in mind that images from programs
are copyrighted material and are for personal usage only. Copying
and distribution of copyrighted materials without the owners written
permission is prohibited by law.
When you see a scene you would like for a wallpaper, click the "Print
Screen" key on your keyboard. This copies the image to Windows
clipboard.
Then go to Start/Programs/Accessories and click "Paint".
This is Windows
Paint Program. On the menu at the top, click "Edit",
go down and click "Paste". If you see a message
about the size, click "Yes". You should now see
the scene you copied.
Now go again to the menu at the top and click "File",
go down and click "Save As...." Where it
says "Save In", click the arrow on the right and
choose C:, then double-click on "Windows"
in the window below that shows your directories.
Type in a name where it says "File Name", whatever
you want to call it. Click "Save" (the button on
the lower right).
Your file will now appear in the list under the "Background"
(or Desktop) tab of the "Display" screen.
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| No Uninstall Support?
If the program is not listed in the Windows Add/Remove Programs
feature of Control Panel and there is no uninstall support included
in the program, there still is a relatively simple way to remove
the screensaver. However you should contact and ask the author how
first.
Search for and delete the "name of the screensaver.scr"
file. The extension ".scr" denotes the screensaver file
itself. It usually resides in the Windows System directory but the
author/programmer has the ability to place it anywhere.
Your best bet is to search through: Start/Search/Files or Folders/type
in the ".scr" file name and click Find Now.
This removes only the screensaver file, a procedure to get it off
the system if the screensaver is causing problems and there is no
uninstall support. There are other component files that come compressed
within the downloaded program file that you may also want to delete.
If so, contact the author to find out what they are or you can search
by entering the screensaver "file name" and see what comes
up. Please use extreme caution before deleting any files, file names
can look confusingly similar to one another.
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| What
is OpenGL?
OpenGL is a graphics library for 3D rendering and 3D hardware acceleration.
Some of the screensavers on this site are written with OpenGL and
necessary OpenGL video drivers are needed to view them. Almost all
video cards released since 1999 support OpenGL.
Windows 95 (OSR2 version) and later operating systems ship with
the OpenGL 1.1 runtime library. However, it does not include drivers
for individual video cards. Latest video card drivers are downloaded
from the Web site of the computer/hardware manufacturer.
OpenGL info:
Silicon Graphics Inc
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| What
is DirectX?
Generally speaking, DirectX and OpenGL have similar functions as
far as screensavers are concerned. DirectX is a set of drivers or
components developed by Microsoft to boost hardware performance
on Windows platform machines. Although developed mainly with games
and multimedia in mind, many Windows screensavers are written to
take advantage of DirectX capabilities. Where as both technologies
enhance 3D performance, DirectX also supports sound, input and networking.
There are many versions of DirectX but since they are upward compatible,
the latest versions are usually recommended for install. However,
care must be taken before installing any new hardware drivers.
To avoid system instability, always refer to your computer manual
or manufacture website for system requirements and additional information.
DirectX info: Microsoft
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| What
is a video driver?
Video driver is a software that act as an interface between the
operating system and the video card. The driver tells the operating
system of the different screen resolutions it supports, number of
colors, rendering effects etc.
Video card driver updates can occur two or three times in one year.
These updates are provided as a free download service by the hardware
manufacturer. It is a good idea to check your computer or video
card manufacturer at least once a year for the availability of driver
updates for maximum performance.
A word of caution before installation of drivers. You should be
certain to install the correct driver for your system and check
the computer manufacturer websites for any additional information.
Installation of incorrect or "buggy" drivers may cause
instability of the operating system.
It can be helpful to visit a "driver forum", where users
input their experiences or seek answers.
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| What
is a VB run time file?
Programs written in the Microsoft Visual Basic programming
language require a certain set of files to run. They are
known as the VB Run-Time files. Currently there are 5 versions
of VB and each has a set of "run-time files" that are
specific to that version and will not work for the other versions.
An "error" message will appear, usually "file
not found", if it is lacking during an install.
Microsoft did not include these "run-time files" with
Windows. However
once they are installed on your system, by running a VB program,
you need never install them again for that version of VB. This is
significant due to the large file size of the "run time file"
when downloading a program.
In the case of screensavers, "the run-time file" can
be about the same size or larger than the screensaver file itself.
To save valuable download time, some authors do not include
the "run-time files" and instead provide links to get
them if necessary.
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