OK I was working in the customization of the HTCHomeplug.
What is HTCHomeplug? If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin that shows some icons like Battery, Rotation, Comm Manager, Screen Light, Quick GPS and TVOut. What I discovered is who to deal with this plugin in order to change the icons and applications associated there.
I used PHM Registry to edit entries at the PPC registry, but you can use the editor of your like.
First is access using the registry editor to this entry:
/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/HTC/HTCHomeplug
There is the configuration of the plugin. There we will find two entries pointing to the first two icons (Battery and Rotation) that seems to be configured in a different way that the rest of the icons. Those are the two DWORD entries:
PowerIconSlot with value of 0 (this means the first position in the plugin)
RotateIconSlot with value of 1 (this means the second position)
The rest of the positions in the HTCHomeplug appears like KEY entries with names from 2 to 5 meaning positions 3 to 6 in the plugin bar.
Inside each key (2 to 5) we find 3 values (or entries):
1- iconindex DWORD type of Decimal which contains 103 in the case of entry KEY 2
2- LaunchApPath STRING contains the path to the executable file associated to the icon
3- ResPath STRING contais the path to the resource file which contais the icon image poited by iconindex entry. This path points to a DLL or EXE file containing the icon image.
So... since we want to add a icon/application we need to create the entry KEY 6 and we must create both STRING entries and DWORD one inside the KEY 6.
To add Tomtom Navigator in the HTCHomeplug (as an example) I added:
iconindex = 101
LaunchApPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
ResPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
So I'm using the icon storaged in the Tomtom Navigator executable file itself and my Tomtom is in the path I show in the entry. Off course this could not match your installation.
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Running that program and browsing the EXE file (or a DLL) we can see the index for each resource and if it's an image the image is display in the screen, so I found the 101 is the index for the Tomtom icon inside de EXE file.
Once the entries in the Registry are done the rest is easy. Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded).
I did several tests and looks like the HTCHomeplug only supports 7 icons (0 to 6) but since many of the original icons are not use on daily bases we can setup up to 5 programs in that plugin leaving the Battery and Rotary icons in its place.
I hope this is useful... and I beg your pardon for my poor english.
Regards,
mahjong
P.S.: I posted this first at todopocketpc.com in spanish. If you know that language maybe you prefer read it in my mother language. For sure will be much better written.
mahjong said:
OK I was working in the customization of the HTCHomeplug.
What is HTCHomeplug? If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin that shows some icons like Battery, Rotation, Comm Manager, Screen Light, Quick GPS and TVOut. What I discovered is who to deal with this plugin in order to change the icons and applications associated there.
I used PHM Registry to edit entries at the PPC registry, but you can use the editor of your like.
First is access using the registry editor to this entry:
/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/HTC/HTCHomeplug
There is the configuration of the plugin. There we will find two entries pointing to the first two icons (Battery and Rotation) that seems to be configured in a different way that the rest of the icons. Those are the two DWORD entries:
PowerIconSlot with value of 0 (this means the first position in the plugin)
RotateIconSlot with value of 1 (this means the second position)
The rest of the positions in the HTCHomeplug appears like KEY entries with names from 2 to 5 meaning positions 3 to 6 in the plugin bar.
Inside each key (2 to 5) we find 3 values (or entries):
1- iconindex DWORD type of Decimal which contains 103 in the case of entry KEY 2
2- LaunchApPath STRING contains the path to the executable file associated to the icon
3- ResPath STRING contais the path to the resource file which contais the icon image poited by iconindex entry. This path points to a DLL or EXE file containing the icon image.
So... since we want to add a icon/application we need to create the entry KEY 6 and we must create both STRING entries and DWORD one inside the KEY 6.
To add Tomtom Navigator in the HTCHomeplug (as an example) I added:
iconindex = 101
LaunchApPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
ResPath = \Program files\Navigator\Tomtom Navigator.exe
So I'm using the icon storaged in the Tomtom Navigator executable file itself and my Tomtom is in the path I show in the entry. Off course this could not match your installation.
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Running that program and browsing the EXE file (or a DLL) we can see the index for each resource and if it's an image the image is display in the screen, so I found the 101 is the index for the Tomtom icon inside de EXE file.
Once the entries in the Registry are done the rest is easy. Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded).
I did several tests and looks like the HTCHomeplug only supports 7 icons (0 to 6) but since many of the original icons are not use on daily bases we can setup up to 5 programs in that plugin leaving the Battery and Rotary icons in its place.
I hope this is useful... and I beg your pardon for my poor english.
Regards,
mahjong
P.S.: I posted this first at todopocketpc.com in spanish. If you know that language maybe you prefer read it in my mother language. For sure will be much better written.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent post and thanks for your efforts and sharing! I'll be trying this out later. Just what I was looking for.
I'll report my experiences later.
Excellent! I will try this!
When using TrueVGA, does anybody know a way of making the icons work? I see only 1/4th of an icon, and it's even the wrong icon. The only icon is the one for the Light Settings...
Anybody know the iconindex for Opera so i can have the Opera icon instead of Web&Walk icon!
Mahjong tells you how to find it...
mahjong said:
How I found the iconindex information that points to the icon in the Tomtom's EXE file??? Easy I used a program called RViewer (for PPC) develop by Vicott Wong. The program can by found in Google or in the web page shown in the About screen.... http://mobile-sg.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Joy I'm afraid...
I'm afraid that it hasn't worked for me on the Ameo. Maybe it's due to how T-Mob have configured/altered things with their customisation of their ROM.
I reverted to using the TrayApplet in the same regedit folder that the HTCHompeplug resides in, but to no avail.
Quote "Just go into Start - Configuration - Personal - Today and int the Elements Tab. There unmark the HTCHomeplug and exit the configuration going into the Today screen to check that the plugin is not in the screen. Then we back to the Today configuration and select again the HTCHomeplug to mark it. Once we are back into the Today screen we will see the new icon.
(OK in the previous paragraph I'm translating the menu options and clicks from my spanish release of WM5 into english one so the names could not match... what you need to do is configure Today screen to remove the plugin and to configure again to insert the plugin, that way the plugin is reseted and the new icons loaded). " End Quote.
No HTC Plugin on the Ameo Today settings menu either, but visible in HLKM...software etc...as the HTCHomeplug.
I can get some of my choice of programs in the TrayApplet, but not the associated icons!!??!!
Same as before when I tried. Anyone else with an Ameo who has had success in getting it to work with the right icons?
Hi,
Thanks for the tip, it's really useful! I wanted to customize the plugin but didn't have the patience to go through all the registry.
Twp questions though:
- I made a shortcut for the calculator (calc.exe) but the icon is too big (both res. index 0 or 100 in calc.exe). Is there a way to scale it down, or a smaller calculator icon in another file? What's the "main" icon library for Windows Mobile (the equivalent of shell32.dll under Windows)
- I tried to make a shortcut to the phone application, but I can't find the exe file (the Start menu shortcut doesn't point to an exe file, but to :MSCProg?......). And I can't find the icon either...
Please help.
Regards,
Silviu
Hi silviu.h.
Which Athena device do you have, Advantage, Dopod or Ameo?
Hi, I have the HTC Advantage (not Ameo, not Dopod), and the vanilla french ROM.
silviu.h said:
Hi, I have the HTC Advantage (not Ameo, not Dopod), and the vanilla french ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. That would explain why to a large extent it works on your device.
P.S. try \Windows\HTCICON.dll (I think that is the equivalent to shell32.dll)
Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for your answer.
The hack from mahjong works OK, except for the quirks I have already posted above (the Calc.exe icon is too big and I can't find the main icon store). htcicon.dll doesn't exist
However it's OK for Tomtom.
I'll keep you posted on my findings (I'm not giving up, I just have to go to bed )
See you,
Silviu
mackaby007 said:
No HTC Plugin on the Ameo Today settings menu either, but visible in HLKM...software etc...as the HTCHomeplug.
I can get some of my choice of programs in the TrayApplet, but not the associated icons!!??!!
Same as before when I tried. Anyone else with an Ameo who has had success in getting it to work with the right icons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that was the reason for adding this to my note: "If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin..."
Only for HTC users I'm afraid.
Best Regards,
mahjong
mahjong said:
Yeah that was the reason for adding this to my note: "If you own a HTC X7500 Advantage (the HTC make of Athena or Ameo) then in the Today screen you got a plugin..."
Only for HTC users I'm afraid.
Best Regards,
mahjong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you can simply enable it on the T-Mobile Ameo using the following Reg-Keys:
- Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Today\Items
- Create a new Key named: HTC-Homeplug (or whatever you like)
- Navigate into that key
- Create the following items under that key:
String: DLL
Value: htchomeplug.dll
DWORD: Enabled
Value: 0 (or 1 if you want to enable it directly)
DWORD: Flags
Value: 0
DWORD: Options
Value: 0
DWORD: Order
Value: 0
DWORD: Type
Value: 5
After doing the above go to your today-screen settings and the Homeplug plugin is there...
Cheers
I seem to have BOTH HTCHomeplug and Trayapplet on my Ameo
It seems that there is a today item [email protected] or something I can turn on/off that doesnt appear to do anything, I beleive this is turning on/off the HTCHomeplug.
Because Trayapp is already on, and overwriting the HTChomeplug you only see its icons, therefor the homeplug is hidden.
I will experiment with turning off trayapp then turning on the @home today item and see what happens, but it looks like a lot of the confusion for Ameo users is the fact both are installed.
I did a hard reset, and didnt fiddle with the home/tray stuff, so this is how the rom set it up!
HKLM/software/htc/HTCHomeplug
HKLM/software/htc/TrayApplet
Both have keys of (and ONLY of),
PowerIconSlot=0
RotateIconSlot=1
In them.
Under HKLM/software/microsoft/today/items/[email protected]
DLL=hztdplug.dll
enabled=0
flags=0
options=0
order=1
type=5
Pyrofer said:
I seem to have BOTH HTCHomeplug and Trayapplet on my Ameo
It seems that there is a today item [email protected] or something I can turn on/off that doesnt appear to do anything, I beleive this is turning on/off the HTCHomeplug.
Because Trayapp is already on, and overwriting the HTChomeplug you only see its icons, therefor the homeplug is hidden.
I will experiment with turning off trayapp then turning on the @home today item and see what happens, but it looks like a lot of the confusion for Ameo users is the fact both are installed.
I did a hard reset, and didnt fiddle with the home/tray stuff, so this is how the rom set it up!
HKLM/software/htc/HTCHomeplug
HKLM/software/htc/TrayApplet
Both have keys of (and ONLY of),
PowerIconSlot=0
RotateIconSlot=1
In them.
Under HKLM/software/microsoft/today/items/[email protected]
DLL=hztdplug.dll
enabled=0
flags=0
options=0
order=1
type=5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile plugin has nothing to do with the HTC-Homeplug. HTC-Homeplug provides the sam functionality as the TrayApp.
The [email protected] Today Plugin is only useful for T-Mobile customers as it provides functions for HomeZone users.
The dll name hztdplug.dll means HomeZoneTodayPlugin...
If you want to use the HTC-HomePLug plugin you have to create the registry key I've posted above.
Cheers
Ok, I dont want the homezone rubbish.
But im still stuck with both HTCHomeplug and Trayapp
How do I enable/disable the trayapp? That doesnt seem to have any today element to it. I cant get icons working at all in trayapp and wanted to try the HTCHomeplug as that looks a much more userfriendly app.
Pyrofer said:
How do I enable/disable the trayapp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to HKLM\init
Delete the Launcher for TrayAp.exe. On mine it is Launch92...
Make a Softreset after you changed this setting and the TrayAp is gone.
Cheers
Thanks!
I now have the HTC Homeplug working, and the trayapp gone! W00t!
I like the bigger icons, and now I can edit them better im happy. Much nicer.
Anyone thought about coding a contol panel applet for this homescreen plugin??
Moskus said:
Excellent! I will try this!
When using TrueVGA, does anybody know a way of making the icons work? I see only 1/4th of an icon, and it's even the wrong icon. The only icon is the one for the Light Settings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use combination of Spb pocket plus and Commmgrpro, you don't need to deal with these problems of wrong size icons in the comm manager and home plug. Both of these need not be used at all.
I'm yet to find a replacement for Spb GPRS monitor though. SPb GPRS monitor also have problem displaying in true VGA. There are some but they do not show the kbps figure - only the downloaded volume.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
With a registry editor ( http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/phmregistryeditor.shtml ) in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch we see the folders APLauncher + MediaHubMini. The first one it contains the regulations for the side of cube with 6 applications and the second one, the regulations for the side of cube with 3 applications.
Opening the file APLauncher we see at line, 6 files with name App0 - 5. Each one represents a button of cube, in the side with 6 applications. We are interested for the fields Name where we fix the name of application that will appear on screen and Path where we fix the path of application that we want to place.
In this example I have put the application Live Messenger changing string with \Windows\WLMMessenger.exe with preferred application. Attention, we needed exe no ink, that exist in windows folder or Program Files folder.
With the same way open the folder MediaHubMini. We see at line, 3 files with name App1_1 - 3. . Each one represents a button of cube, in the side with 3 applications. At the same way we make also here the changes that we wish. The field APNameFontSize it represents the font size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
Here we see the final result. Next stage the change of our own pictures in each program, but most important is to have in the cube the applications that we want to have easy access with one hand. Most careful and those who have installed the HTC Action Screen will discover in the folder Biotouch and the corresponding regulations for this.
==========================
==========================
Another side with six applications in cube
1. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch add a folder with name APLauncher4 with the same content of APLauncher.
2. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch add a String Value with name App4 and String APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe
3. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch add a Βinary Value with name Cube4 with the same content of Cube3.
4. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\Biotouch\Βiotouch change the DWORD VALUE Total Cubes from 3 to 4.
5. In windows folder make a new file with name APLauncher4.exe copy from APLauncher.exe
==========================
==========================
All that require big experience and knowledge and become more easily with copy, paste & rename.
Thanks to butzchan, atao, hawk eye tim.
Can I ever thank you enough?
Thank you so much Pano! This is a really great tweak!!!
Easier and more user friendly is carlos' touchsettings. can be found on www.fatattitude.com. Thread is somwhere in development here. No need to go to reg.
In my and some other devices, this application does not open.
weird :-( I have polaris (o2 orbit2) and works w/o probs. But i had to install cube from CAB (bloody f..ing o2 ROM) Hopefully soon will be some custom ROM
Isn't there a easier way
Thx.
I am old fashion man.
panosha said:
I am old fashion man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot.. That's exactly what I need.. the old fashion way.
I prefer this method than installing a tweak program. Even installing
a program is easier, but I love this way..
Thank you..
Lets add another cube!!
I have successfully added another cube by making 3 regedits:
I added:
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_SZ called App4 (value data same as App3)
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_BINARY called Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
I now have 4 cubes, but obviously the added cube is a clone of the APLauncher (6 button) cube that already existed. My question is (being a newbie at this, and feeling like GT330 and panosha do) how do I change the new 6 APLauncher cube to display different programs?
Is it as simple as adding an APLauncher2 Key, values, etc in the registry??
I can't find a way to make it work.
panosha said:
I can't find a way to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've added the 2 registry keys and modified the TotalCubes key :
Added HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/App4 (value data same as App3)
Added HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
And made a complete reset, all is ok, i have a 4 Face cube, thanks to butzchan
Now lets get some help on changing the reg values to have 6 different programs on each of the APLauncher cubes, for a total of 12. I wonder if you copy the APLauncher reg values and rename the copied values APLauncher2, it will work. Anyone?
butzchan said:
I have successfully added another cube by making 3 regedits:
I added:
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_SZ called App4 (value data same as App3)
HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch--added REG_BINARY called Cube4 (value data same as Cube3)
Changed HKLM/Software/HTC/Biotouch/Biotouch/TotalCubes from 3 to 4
I now have 4 cubes, but obviously the added cube is a clone of the APLauncher (6 button) cube that already existed. My question is (being a newbie at this, and feeling like GT330 and panosha do) how do I change the new 6 APLauncher cube to display different programs?
Is it as simple as adding an APLauncher2 Key, values, etc in the registry??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nearly that simply
Create a new key by copying and pasting APLauncher i renamed the new key APLauncher4.
Alter the App4 string to 'APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe'
Then copy and rename the \windows\aplauncher.exe program to aplauncher4.exe
Then just alter the values to your requirement in the aplauncher4 key and reset.
Works a treat on mine.I now have another page with 6 fully programable buttons.
Great job.
Great find....
We can't have another side with contacts.
hawk eye tim said:
nearly that simply
Create a new key by copying and pasting APLauncher i renamed the new key APLauncher4.
Alter the App4 string to 'APLauncher \Windows\APLauncher4.exe'
Then copy and rename the \windows\aplauncher.exe program to aplauncher4.exe
Then just alter the values to your requirement in the aplauncher4 key and reset.
Works a treat on mine.I now have another page with 6 fully programable buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my next step. Now it works great! Thanks dude!
I am guessing to get another contacts page, all you would need to do is follow the same steps, just with App1 as the base.
Time to edit the other 6 apps.
OK, here are the results of our work. I will try to gather all informantions in the first post. Thank you all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlRVh8oA1rw
Nice!!!
This was nice. Exactly one of the improvemets of the cube was waiting for.
I've done some extensive searching for this one and come up with nothing...
I've found the path to start menu icons on a registry editor, which leads to a .qtc file on HTC-added applications but this field is blank when I highlight a program's IconPath for any applications I have added, eg. Skype, Facebook etc.
How do I go about changing any of the start menu icons to files of my choosing? eg. to some of the brilliant files from iREFLECT to name but one pack.
YOu can change the menu facelift by refering to tweak guide fROM tOPAZ Tweak page
and lok for TF3D Start Menu option. It is a bit manual & you need to get into registry editor to do that.
Using my Windows Mobile device,I ve learned how to create shortcuts in Programs
and Now I have anything I want in Programs but I don't like some icons :
---How can I change program's icons? (for example camera icon)
---How can I change folder's icons? (for example Office folder is different from other folder)
---How can I change standard folder's icons?
---How can I insert shortcut in Settings? (Personal,System,Connections?)
I have searched on Internet but I haven't found anything...
Thanks
I have read of some programs...
http://www.ehow.com/how_7442167_change-icons-windows-mobile.html
and also
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=474346
Thanks
But does it exist a manual way, without sktools? (insert the icon I want in a system folder...change something...)
Mich-C said:
Thanks
But does it exist a manual way, without sktools? (insert the icon I want in a system folder...change something...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be aware the icons must be located in so-called resource DLLs or EXEs, where you pick them off.
Don't know of another tool than SK Tools. But of course there might be others, too. GIYF.
And you can try to edit all registry entries related to file-types and folders; seach for example the registry for all occurring "DefaultIcon\Default" subkeys and replace there the icon's location - note that this makes only sense if registry is hive-based.