splash screen

[jarrettg]

Is there a way to remove the startup splash screen? or replace it?

[Sean Stecker]

Jarrett,

I assume you mean the "Windows 2000 Built on NT Technolgy, Starting up..." screen that displays just after you start your machine?.

First question: Why?
Second question: No, really, why?

If memory serves me correctly, Microsoft lost a court battle in which OEM's wanted the ability to change the startup screen to something that reflected their companies a little better. So I would assume it is possible. I just thought only OEM's would want to.

So I'm dying to know, why? Please post what you have in mind, I'm interested.

Sean


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jarrettg at 11/16/00 11:57:40 AM

Is there a way to remove the startup splash screen? or replace it?

[jarrettg]

Nothing really important. I have some software running on win2k for a client that really dosn't want anyone knowing his software is running on the back of 2k. He is afraid of someone breaking into the system. SO if I took out the splash or muted it, it wouldn't be so obvious.

[CygnusX1]

I cannot affirmatively say how to force a new splash screen to be displayed. However, I have found that the current splash screen is contained in ntoskrnl.exe. I have tried replacing it, but system file protection kicks in on reboot and replaces my modified ntoskrnl.exe with the original. Does anyone know how to prevent SFP from replacing this file?


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jarrettg at 11/17/00 9:29:25 AM

Nothing really important. I have some software running on win2k for a client that really dosn't want anyone knowing his software is running on the back of 2k. He is afraid of someone breaking into the system. SO if I took out the splash or muted it, it wouldn't be so obvious.

[Sean Stecker]

This file protection feature is built in to the OS and as far as I know, cannot be turned off. This was at the request of an overwhelming majority of Windows NT support personnel. Microsoft did some debugging research a couple of years ago and found that the #1 reason (by a LONG shot) for blue screens in Windows NT was system files being overwritten with incompatible versions. In order to deliver a more stable product in Windows 2000, SFP was introduced.

Even if you could turn it off (and I am sure that someone will eventually figure out how), would you turn it off just so you could have a different splash screen? I would trade cool graphics for server up time anyday.

Sean


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CygnusX1 at 11/21/00 3:55:59 AM

I cannot affirmatively say how to force a new splash screen to be displayed. However, I have found that the current splash screen is contained in ntoskrnl.exe. I have tried replacing it, but system file protection kicks in on reboot and replaces my modified ntoskrnl.exe with the original. Does anyone know how to prevent SFP from replacing this file?


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jarrettg at 11/17/00 9:29:25 AM

Nothing really important. I have some software running on win2k for a client that really dosn't want anyone knowing his software is running on the back of 2k. He is afraid of someone breaking into the system. SO if I took out the splash or muted it, it wouldn't be so obvious.