Crystalxp.net

What is it all about? I mean, I obviously can tell it's a hardcore customization site, but do I need a 3rd party app to install all that cool looking stuff? Any info would be great, I'm really just curious.

 

According to the forums, you do need 3rd party software for the visuals:
"1. Download all your extracted (unzip them) Visual Style files into ar.gif C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Theme
2. You have to patch your uxtheme.dll, there are several programs that can do the patching of this file: Starskin , UXTheme Multi-Patcher , and my favourite one Style Xp

3. Then enter to the file you download, and the double click the file.msstyle"

 

ok, so I have things pretty much figured out, however I still have a question.

1. When I boot up my computer, my new theme doesn't load right away. A generic gray theme(taskbar) shows up, then the "please wait" box pops up and THEN my theme swtiches over to the one I want. Is it supposed to be like this?

When I installed Style XP (version 2.01) it gave me an error saying it couldn't run on the build of windows. then i checked for updates and the error went away. Could this be why my theme doesn't load right away?