Ok, it is very easy to change resources in 16bit files if you have Visual C++.

Here is one example :

Sysedit with 256 color icons

If you don't have VC++ and would like to change bitmap or icon resources in other 16bit files, provide the new resources and I'll do it for you.

ExeScope supports Windows 3.11 NE executables.

Have you actually tried to replace bitmap or icon resources in NE executables with it ?

I had – just now. Replaced one 8-bit bitmap with a 24-bit one. I have also modified dialog forms before.

Are you aware of any compatibility problems that arise when using ExeScope?

OK so, I have downloaded eXescope from Softpedia (version 6.41) and I have been unable to replace the icons of winfile.exe with others of a different color depth.

I have been able to replace a 16 color bitmap with a 256 color one but then the modified winfile crashes systematically on launch.

With VC++, I can do both of those things and the exe runs normally.

If I may impose on your VC++ expertize, could you replace the ugly icon [icon number 200 (first icon) as displayed in exescope] from my modded WinME WINFILE.EXE with a better one?

All necessary files are zipped here [84 KB, English]:
http://www.mdgx.com/spx/WINFILEX.ZIP
The XP-compatible icon [multi-res + multi-color] I'd like to use is called FILEMAN.ICO .

Many thanks in advance.

If you need to email me:
http://www.mdgx.com/form.htm

Best wishes.

Done. It's here : Winfile

There is not much need for expertise for doing that btw. As easy as using Reshacker or eXescope.

Hey, that sounds interesting! Borland resource workshop does the job but in a very unhandy manner. Thanks for the info.

Only problem is that the free VC++ express 2005 is XP SP2 only. Do older versions do that as well?

I am not sure VC++ 2005 will even do the job under XP as *I think* support for editing 16bit executables has been dropped from versions above 6.

I am using VC++ 6 Standard Edition, which I bought on eBay for very cheap (£12 including P&P).

VC++ 5 will do the same job but cannot be installed correctly on my ME OS (wants IE 4 to be installed), which does not matter for editing resources in executables as copying the folder containing the IDE over is enough.

VC++ 4, and probably even earlier versions, will do but not so well as 5 and 6.

Oddly enough it is not possible to edit 32 bit executables with those IDEs under 9x OSes. You need to use VC++ under an NT OS to be able to do that.

Thanks a lot!

you can use the tool borland resource workshop to edit 16bit pe files

True and it's a really usefull app but as I mentionned, it's not very handy nor stable so it's nice to have an alternative.

Thanks a bunch for doing this.

I don't have VC++ [any edition].
I've tried to do this using eXescope but it didn't allow me to change the size of the resource [FILEMAN.ICO is a multi-res, 256 color icon, XP-style], and Reshacker doesn't support 16-bit NE files like WINFILE.EXE. ;(
One day I'll get VC++.

P.S.:
I've just added the new FM to 98SE2ME [option 7]:
http://www.msfn.org/board/?showtopic=46349

Thanks again.

No problems. I have adopted your winfile as well.

You've done marvels within the 16 color limitation of bitmaps btw.

I could upload another one if you want in which the bitmaps are converted to 256 colors in case you'd want to further enhance them.

One more question... :
Is VC++ able to edit resources in 16 bits LE files as well (vxd, 386)?

Those files get opened as hexadecimal data so yes but not any easier than with an hex editor.

Ok. Thanks

Sure, that would be great, thanks a lot for doing this.

Sounds great to have 256 colors bitmaps in FM, I have not thought it possible until now.

Ok so, here is a version with 256 color bitmaps. I have edited the opened and closed folders to make them look like those in windows Explorer as an example : Winfile+

Million thanks for your work.
Looks much better.

I've tweaked a little more the bmp and I got this.

FYI:
This new WINFILE.EXE installs also as part of 98SE2ME options 1 + 7 [3 MB]:
http://www.msfn.org/board/?showtopic=46349
and now also part of SCANFRAG.EXE [807 KB]:
http://www.mdgx.com/files/SCANFRAG.EXE

Best wishes.

Much nicer indeed.

WinME Defrag ain't bad either with a 256 color icon.

IMHO, the small 16x16 icon should be left in Win98 style. That applies to all XP icons.

I tried replacing icons in 16 bits NE files (*.exe and *.cpl) with VC++ 6 and it works fine as long as you use 256 colors icons. Plus it's nice and easy to do.

However, it only has option to add monochrome, 16 and 256 colors...
You can trick the program by importing an already existing 16bits icon but there is no way to add 32bits icons without breaking the file (it ends with faulty mixed 16bits/16 colors formats).

My problem is I'd like to mod sysdm.cpl but Borland Resource Workshop crashes when I open any version of it.
Any ideas?

Edit: yeah, I'm using RP Lite, that's why I'd like alphablended icons. An I'd rather mod the *.cpl rather than change the Control panel icons from registry.