Hacking Windows 7 Media Center

Download Theme: “Homeworld”

by Michael Healy @ 6:15 am on February 14th, 2009 in themes with 17 Comments and Permalink

The new theme for Windows7 Media Center based on the Homeworld background by Phil2001 of DeviantArt is now available for download.

Homeworld Theme

Installation:

  1. Download and install Homeworld.msi
  2. Close Media Center and wait 45-60 seconds for the system files to be released
  3. Run the Enable Homeworld Theme shortcut as administrator (right click and select “Run as Administrator”)
  4. When the patch dialog appears press start. If you receive an error it is likely the system files haven’t been released yet, wait 60 seconds and try again.
  5. If the patch fails consistently, open Windows Explorer and navigate to “C:\Windows\ehome” and locate “ehres.dll”. Right-click and select “Take Ownership” then retry the patch.
  6. Once the patch is applied successfully close the patch program
  7. Restart Media Center

Uninstallation:

  1. Close Media Center and wait 45-60 for the system files to be released
  2. Run the Disable Homeworld Theme shortcut as administrator (right click and select “Run as Administrator”)
  3. Optionally you can permanently remove the program files through the windows control panel but you must do step #2 first or the theme will not be reset.
  4. Restart Media Center

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
In the case of epic failure open Windows Explorer and go to “C:\Windows\ehome” select “ehres.dll” and rename it “ehres.dll.bak”. Find “ehres.dll.original” and rename it “ehres.dll”

This download is provided as a public beta release. It has been tested to work on both x86 and x64 Windows7 Beta1 Build 7000. There is a very real chance that something will go wrong with this install version for at least one person who downloads it. If you need help leave a note in the comments below this post (No Registration Required).

DOWNLOAD: Homeworld Theme 1.0.1

17 Comments


Nick
Comment #100 from Nick [Reply]

Thanks for this, but I cant get it to install. I get a “cannot overwrite” error. I am running as an Administrator and have waited an hour+ for files to be released. Any idea’s

ta

Nick

p.s. im running x86 win7b1

Comment left February 15, 2009 at 3:23 am with Permalink

MHealy
Comment #101 from MHealy [Reply]

Try this: Go to “\Windows\ehome” and find “ehres.dll” then right-click and select “Take Ownership”. Next, right-click “ehres.dll” and select properties. Make sure that the file is’t mark as “Read Only” at the bottom. Then there should be a file named “Homeworld_7MC.exe”, right-click and run it as an administrator.

If that doesn’t work try copying both “ehres.dll” and “Homeworld_7MC.exe” to another folder then repeat the steps. If that works then replace the “ehres.dll” in the “/Windows/ehome” directory.

Let me know if none of that works for you.

Comment left February 15, 2009 at 6:35 am with Permalink

alex
@Reply #5272 from alex [Reply]

thank u mr healy helped out alot was saying files to be patched does not exist but when i put the patch and the ehres.dll file in own folder was able to work thanks alot.

Comment left December 2, 2009 at 10:53 pm with Permalink

Nick
Comment #102 from Nick [Reply]

Yep, that worked a treat!

Thanks

Comment left February 15, 2009 at 10:56 am with Permalink

Anonymous
Comment #103 from Anonymous [Reply]

ran this on Vist 64 bit and worked a charm thanks m8.

Comment left February 19, 2009 at 11:48 am with Permalink

Solo
Comment #104 from Solo [Reply]

Hi Mhealy,
Thanks so much for the theme. I followed your instructions but i couln’t intalled i, then i followed the other instructions and it works great.
thanks a lot.
great work…

XDagrid

Comment left February 21, 2009 at 12:49 am with Permalink

MHealy
Comment #105 from MHealy [Reply]

Thanks for letting me know. I think I’ve found the problem and I’m updating the installers for both themes that have been released so far. The only update to the themes is a fix for the installers.

Comment left February 21, 2009 at 6:15 am with Permalink

lithium630
Comment #359 from lithium630 [Reply]

I got the background to change okay but then Mediacenter stopped functioning. It shuts down when I try to do anything. Any ideas?

Comment left April 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm with Permalink

mhealy
@Reply #360 from mhealy [Reply]

What version of the Windows 7 beta are you using? I have only tested these on a limited number of builds

Comment left April 16, 2009 at 8:33 pm with Permalink

Lithium630
Comment #365 from Lithium630 [Reply]

I’m using 7077. Even when I returned to the original background MCE was all screwed up and had to do a system restore. My DMA2200 is still not working right anymore so I hope a reinstall will fix it.

It made media center look so good though that I’m definitely going to give it another try after more people test it.

Comment left April 17, 2009 at 1:20 pm with Permalink

jayy carter
Comment #2351 from jayy carter [Reply]

null
i want this change, but will it work on vista

Comment left July 30, 2009 at 2:49 am with Permalink

Kjel
Comment #2859 from Kjel [Reply]

Excellent, worked perfectly with Vista Ultimate x86, yet to try it on my x64 build, will let you know how it goes.

Comment left August 22, 2009 at 10:12 pm with Permalink

Jon
Comment #3196 from Jon [Reply]

Hi,

Thanks for the theme it looks great. I do however have one problem, the colour sceme changes back to blue when in media browser or music browser, is there a way of expanding this theme to these plug-in areas?

Thanks again!!

Jon

Comment left September 11, 2009 at 11:42 am with Permalink

Marcio Ferreira
Comment #3930 from Marcio Ferreira [Reply]

I get a “cannot overwrite” error. I am running as an Administrator…

I follow this tip: “Go to “\Windows\ehome” and find “ehres.dll” then right-click and select “Take Ownership”. Next, right-click “ehres.dll” and select properties. Make sure that the file is’t mark as “Read Only” at the bottom. Then there should be a file named “Homeworld_7MC.exe”, right-click and run it as an administrator.
If that doesn’t work try copying both “ehres.dll” and “Homeworld_7MC.exe” to another folder then repeat the steps. If that works then replace the “ehres.dll” in the “/Windows/ehome” directory.”
But Windows doesn’t accepts… “I haven’t permission… help me please… My Windows is RTM 7600 (FINAL)

Comment left October 11, 2009 at 10:58 am with Permalink

Marcio Ferreira
Comment #3931 from Marcio Ferreira [Reply]

I could it!!! Thanks…

Comment left October 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm with Permalink

JJ
Comment #4147 from JJ [Reply]

check my youtube video … search::::::: how to change windows media center theme background for vista and
windows7…….or search……..

alphatao1

Comment left October 22, 2009 at 4:37 am with Permalink

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