Challenge: Change Windows 8 Startup Sound

By Nazmus Shakib Khandaker
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Grand Master

Fraud OS 11

Posted
Posted

Can't be changed. Previous utilities that worked for Windows 7 also won't work because MS put a CRC check for shell32.dll. If that file is modded, Windows 8 won't boot.

Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Not sure if this works or not - but a quick google found this.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-enabledisable-startup-sound-in-windows-8/

While replacing default sound scheme is easier in latest Windows versions, changing the startup sound requires editing system file. The sound file can be found in imageres.dll located in system 32 folder in Windows 7 & Windows 8, requires a resource editing tool for the job. Users who can?t manually edit the system file may use a free utility named Startup Sound Changer to replace the default startup sound in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

  • 2 months later...
Neowinian

janvv

Posted
Posted

When you have Windows 8 DON'T EVER USE THAT FREE UTILITY Startup Sound Changer !!!!

It screws up your imageres.dll. After reboot your Metro interface will be mixed up with your desktop, and it'll be a complete mess when you try to do something.

Basically, your Windows and all your programs work perfectly, but because your display is a mess it will be quite useless.

The only way I found to do something is:

- switch to the window you want to see using Alt-Tab

- use Winkey-L to go to the Lock screen

- log in again

and voil?, you can use the window you just switched to.

I have been trying a whole day to find out that it was in fact the imageres.dll that caused the troubles, and then it took a while to get an uncorrputed version of that file.

The fix is:

- install the very same Windows 8 version onto another pc (Note that you have 64 and 32 bits, and it could be localized)

- rename the corrupted file to imageres.dll.corrupt or something else (you are not allowed to overwrite it)

- copy the file c:\windows\system32\imageres.dll from the new Windows 8 set up to your pc

- reboot

  • pkmugg and DConnell
  • Like 2
Grand Master

Max Norris

Posted
Posted

Couldn't you just disable the built in startup sound, then have Windows execute a startup script (via group policy, Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Scripts (Startup/Shutdown)) which plays whatever floats your boat? Would be a hell of a lot safer than potentially breaking something by modifying system files. Do the same for shutdown.

Grand Master

Detection

Posted
Posted

I upgraded, and didn't have a start up sound.

I definitely had a startup sound on 8, and it was the Win 7 sound... maybe there is some other reason it appears :)

Also weirdly I've had my desktop right click context menu start opening from the left instead of the right for no reason I could work out

Grand Master

Fraud OS 11

Posted
Posted

When you have Windows 8 DON'T EVER USE THAT FREE UTILITY Startup Sound Changer !!!!

It screws up your imageres.dll. After reboot your Metro interface will be mixed up with your desktop, and it'll be a complete mess when you try to do something.

Basically, your Windows and all your programs work perfectly, but because your display is a mess it will be quite useless.

The only way I found to do something is:

- switch to the window you want to see using Alt-Tab

- use Winkey-L to go to the Lock screen

- log in again

and voil?, you can use the window you just switched to.

I have been trying a whole day to find out that it was in fact the imageres.dll that caused the troubles, and then it took a while to get an uncorrputed version of that file.

The fix is:

- install the very same Windows 8 version onto another pc (Note that you have 64 and 32 bits, and it could be localized)

- rename the corrupted file to imageres.dll.corrupt or something else (you are not allowed to overwrite it)

- copy the file c:\windows\system32\imageres.dll from the new Windows 8 set up to your pc

- reboot

The developer of Startup Sound Changer never claimed it was compatible with Windows 8. It works on Windows 7 and Vista. Your mistake if you tried it on Windows 8 without understanding how it works (modifies shell files).

  • 10 months later...
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