HyperSpin Shelled on Windows 7 Solved and Working!

[whiLd]

I've been researching how to get HyperSpin shelled on Windows 7 for a few weeks now with no luck. Instant Sheller states is has added Windows 7 support, but I had no luck with it. It did everything it was supposed to do besides launch HyperSpin.

What I wanted was for HyperSpin to launch before the desktop creating a seamless arcade boot up, but have the ability to be able to access the desktop if needed. (to access the internet to hop on over to HyperSpin to see if there are new themes available )

I found out how to do this here. This is for reference if I've missed anything.

This looks like a long thread, and may seem like it will take forever, but honestly, this took me about 15 minutes to do, and I am no computer wiz.

It only seems long because I've added pretty much step by step pictures to guide you how to do this. Hopefully this will help all the HyperSpin Windows 7 users out there trying to get HyperSpin shelled.

I'm re-writing the instructions for HyperSpin to make it newbie proof. See below:

These instructions are for Windows 7 Ultimate. I have not tested this on any other version of Windows 7, so use at your own risk. I just know I've been researching for weeks, and this is the first thing that I've seen work how I wanted it to, with the least amount of work. (No Registry editing!!!)

This changes a local policy that only applies to the current user account. The policy tells Windows to use HyperSpin as the shell instead of Explorer (so there's no start menu, no wallpaper, no icons). This way HyperSpin is instantly launched upon (automatic) user log in.

Step 2 only works on Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise and Professional! (The group policy object editor is not available in other versions, thanks M$)

Shelling HyperSpin:

1. Setting up your user account to log in automatically

Log in as the user you will log in when launching HyperSpin (must have Administrator privileges).

Open the start menu, and type in the search box: netplwiz <ENTER>.

Uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer and hit Apply.

The window below will pop up asking for the user name and password of the user account which should log in automatically. Supply all the information and hit OK.

Next time you restart, the account selected in step 1 will log on automatically. Now you can setup this account to use HyperSpin as shell instead of Explorer:

2. Set HyperSpin as shell for a specific user account Log in as administrator.

Open the start menu, and type in the search box: mmc <ENTER>.

Choose File -> Add/Remove Snap-in....

Select Group Policy Object Editor and hit Add.

In the wizard that pops up, hit Browse..., go to tab Users, select your user account (the one that you set up to log on automatically in step 1) and hit OK.

Make sure that the checkbox in the wizard is Unchecked, and hit Finish.

Hit OK in the Add/Remove Snap-ins window.

In the User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System folder, open Custom User Interface.

Select Enabled and enter the full path (including HyperSpin.exe and any switches that you may use) in the Interface file name textbox.

Hit OK and reboot your system. It should now log in and start HyperSpin automatically without showing the start menu and icons first.

If you need to access the desktop, exit HyperSpin. The desktop will be black with no icons or task bar. Simply press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and access the Task Manager.

Click: File>New Task (Run...)

Type: Explorer

Hit Enter.

This will launch your desktop.

This is the only method I've found with Windows 7 that allows the desktop to be booted after shelling to HyperSpin.

The following links will provide programs that will allow you to change the Windows Boot Animation in Windows 7 and the Log in Logo:

Change Boot Animation: Windows 7 Boot Updater

Here are some sample bootup animations created by Baglio to use with Windows 7 Boot Updater:

http://baglio.deviantart.com/ Thanks Baglio for the great work!

Change the Welcome Screen Background: Windows 7 Logon Background Changer

*Note*

The log on screen will not require a password if you follow the steps in the tutorial above. This image will only be shown for a few seconds then load directly into HyperSpin.

*I would like to thank Shaolin for diggin up the info for the 2 links below!*

Remove Microsoft Branding from Welcome Screen:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31916-log-screen-change-remove-text-branding.html

Remove or Modify the Text on the Welcome Screen:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/126315-welcome-log-text-message-change.html

Here is a video of my rig running Windows 7 Ultimate booting directly into HyperSpin. (This will be updated soon)

Sorry about some of the vid that is out of focus and the background noise.

hn3jypdLrjQ

Enjoy

[Hypnoziz]

Can't you just do this from the registry?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon

Change the Shell value to the full path to HyperSpin.

[whiLd]

when you do it from the registry on windows 7, it does boot up fine, but you cannot access the desktop.

When you go to the Task Manager and run new program>Explorer

It only opens a "My Computer" Window.

The way I've posted above is the only way that I've found how to shell it and still have access to the desktop if needed.

[Hypnoziz]

I see. I'll have to test this on my rig and get back to you with the results.

[whiLd]

Cool. Let me know.

I did the registry thing and it worked great. Just wanted to be able to access the desktop if I needed to.

Windows 7 acts funny when you shell directly to another program and not explorer.exe by not letting you get to the desktop.

[Hypnoziz]

You are correct. Windows 7 won't load the start menu, taskbar, or your desktop if the registry value for Shell is not equal to "explorer.exe". Very odd. I wasn't aware of this because I'm so used to being able to do it on all earlier versions of Windows.

Tell you what, I'm gonna take a look into it and see what I can find so that users who don't have Group Policy Editing can have access to their normal GUI. Thanks for the heads up and good job on what you've found so far.

But you know what, it really doesn't matter if you don't have the taskbar, start menu, or desktop. Everything can be done through the explorer.exe window that pops up. But again, like I said, I'll try to find something that's more user-friendly.

[whiLd]

But you know what, it really doesn't matter if you don't have the taskbar, start menu, or desktop. Everything can be done through the explorer.exe window that pops up. But again, like I said, I'll try to find something that's more user-friendly.

Yeah, I could have made due and access what I needed with just the explorer window...but it sure makes multi-tasking difficult without that task bar :-P

Like right now, I'm on my gaming rig, editing files and setting up a few different systems in HyperSpin.

Like I said, I could do normal windows things, but having the desktop is nice for the multi-tasking aspect.

Thanks for looking into this further for those who don't have Group Policy Editing access.

[Hypnoziz]

I tested something on a hunch and it worked.

Instead of replacing the Shell value for the system (aka LOCAL_MACHINE), I replaced the Shell value for just my user only. Because it left the Local Machine Shell value as "explorer.exe", I was able to launch directly into Hyperspin and still be able to pull up Task Manager and start explorer.exe AND get the desktop, task manager, and start menu.

Easiest way is to login to the user you want to boot into Hyperspin and then follow here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>WindowsNT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon

You'll have to add the Shell value manually (REG_SZ - String) and set it to your Hyperspin executable.

[whiLd]

Nice! Seems a bit easier too.

Haha I searched for like 2 weeks for a resolution to this, and now I got 2 working methods in 1 day.

I'm just glad my search is over and I know this thread will help the other windows 7 users get Hyperspin successfully shelled.

[Hypnoziz]

Well, there's more to go. Head into Microsoft System Configuration:

Start Menu>Type the following:

msconfig

Click the Boot tab.

Check "No GUI boot".

This is going to remove the Windows loading image that appears just after POST and before the operating system appears.

Now to figure out getting rid of or somewhat making the Welcome screen less noticeable. There's also the Shutdown screen to deal with. I know there's programs out there that allow you to change the wallpaper for those screens. That might be enough for some people.

[azzbarb]

good tutorial, i've not tried it yet but i'll have a go soon.

[BladeZX]

This is great. I plan to do this.

Is there a way when botting up that I couold go into normal windows if I need to. I do things on the PC sometimes and I would need to have windows boot normally sometimes. Is this possible?

[whiLd]

Yes, like stated at the end of the tutorial this is done in the Task Manager.

Exit HyperSpin

CTRL+ALT+DELETE

File>New Task...(Run)

Explorer

Enter

This will load up the desktop and you will have all normal computer functions.

[whiLd]

I've added other helpful links to the bottom of the original post to show you how to change the Windows boot animation and log on screen.

I've also posted what my cab looks like when it boots up.

[evil eye]

Has anyone tried this sheller yet? Says it works for win7 for the most part.

http://www.gameex.net/Community/InstantSheller/tabid/73/Default.aspx

I'm not ready to shell just yet, but I will soon.

[Hypnoziz]

You know, I've come across that program multiple times, but I haven't tried it yet either. If someone has and can confirm it works, then by all means...use it! The manual steps are much more work.

[whiLd]

Has anyone tried this sheller yet? Says it works for win7 for the most part.

http://www.gameex.net/Community/InstantSheller/tabid/73/Default.aspx

I'm not ready to shell just yet, but I will soon.

I've tried this and it did not work for me. Not sure if its due to the version of Windows 7 that I have or if it just doesn't work yet.

I mentioned that it did not work for me in the second sentence of the original post.

If Instant Sheller works for you, great! It sounds like a good program that would make it rather easy to shell HyperSpin with. However it did not work for me when I tried it.

Good luck

[tkropp17]

This worked for like a week then stopped.

My boot screen I customized is gone and now xpadder doesnt load up like it was before.

[whiLd]

What only worked for a week?

Shelling into HyperSpin, the changing of the boot animation, or the logon picture?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[tkropp17]

It boots fine with the shell but for some reason it suddenly stopped loading my xpadder settings. I had to go into HQ and make it a startup program. I got it working again luckily. But now dameon tools won't launch at start and automount. But yeah for some reason te bootloader won't work properly. I get nothing now and tried running as admin n apply stick but nothing still... I uninstalled atari greatest hits for PC and did a windows media player update. Not things I would think to make it go wacky! Typing this on my phone. (tried not to use texting slang lol)

[Hypnoziz]

Anything you may have had in your "Startup" folder won't launch on bootup after your shell is replaced, for your info.

[tkropp17]

Wow ok so... My HDMI switcher box was tripping up my video card at the time of the boot logo. I have it to a projector at 1280x800 and my 1080p tv. No biggie I did a direct connect, were good. Xpadder I had to go into it's settings use "when user starts program start minimized" in HS it's a startup program and I just run it as normal. Kinda sucks dameon tools wont boot. But I believe it is all working proper. The shell launches HS and HS does xpadder and I'm good to go. Sorry that was long winded. I was in a bit of a panic after the hours I put into it this weekend.

Side note: how can I use an animated gif file for my bootlogo instead of the windows sign...

[whiLd]

Side note: how can I use an animated gif file for my bootlogo instead of the windows sign...

There may be a program out there to export a .gif to its individual frames.

The program at the bottom of the 1st post requires that individual frames be used for the animation instead of a single animated file. Not sure, but you may be able to load the .gif into flash and save it as an image sequence. Not to sure about that though.

Those may just be that programs requirements. There could be other programs out there that allow .gif or flash files.

[Hypnoziz]

You can load a .gif file in GIMP and it'll show up as separate frames. Then you can go by one-by-one and save each layer as an image.

That's just one way, but there's probably something easier out there if you're too lazy to do it manually. Heh heh!

[whiLd]

Hypnoziz with the assist!

Thanks for the info.