Hacking System Properties Dialog Box (Sysdm.cpl) in Windows XP

===========================

NOTE: If you are facing problems while saving the file after editing in resource hacker, then make sure you have disabled WFP (Windows File Protection) service using WFP Patcher, it can be found in our "Download" section.

Also if you are getting error "Can't create file...", that means you have edited and saved the file in past and there is a backup file which need to be deleted before saving this file again. Go to "System32" folder and you'll see a file having "sysdm_original.cpl". Delete it and try to save the file in resource hacker.

===========================

In this tutorial, I'll describe how to change the first tab "General" in System Properties dialog box. Following is a screenshot of the dialog box which will you get after following this hack:

1. I'm uploading some images, which will be required to add in dialog box. Download the ZIP file, extract it and you'll get 4 BMP files:

Download BITMAPs

2. Open %windir%\System32\sysdm.cpl file in Resource hacker.

3. Now we have to replace existing 1.BMP file with the downloaded one. To do this:

a. Goto Bitmap -> 1 -> 1033.
b. Click on Action -> Replace Bitmap....
c. Click on Open file with new bitmap... button.
d. Select the new downloaded 1.BMP file and click on Open button.
e. finally click on Replace button.

4. Now we have to add remaining downloaded BMPs in the file. To do this:

a. Click on Action -> Add a new Resource ....
b. Click on Open file with a new resource... button.
c. select 4.BMP and click on Open button.
d. Give 4 in Resource Name and 1033 in Resource Language text boxes.
e. Finally click on Add Resource button.

5. Repeat 4th Step for other BMPs (5.BMP & 6.BMP) also. (Resource Name for 5.BMP & 6.BMP will be 5 & 6 respectively and Resource Language will be 1033 for both).

6. Now download following text file, open it and copy the contents, then goto Dialog -> 101 -> 1033 and replace existing code with the copied code:

sysdm_code.txt

7. Click on Compile Script button.

8. Now to change the text "Microsoft Windows XP" & "Version 2002" (or similar):

a. Goto: String Table -> 12 -> 1033.
b. Change the String in 180 to "Windows VISTA™ Ultimate Edition" & click on Compile Script button.
c. Similarly goto: String Table -> 13 -> 1033.
d. And change the String in 195 to "Hacked by : VISHAL GUPTA" (you can change "VISHAL GUPTA" with your name ) & click on Compile Script button.

9. At last Save the file and close Resource Hacker.

10. You can see an image in screenshot having "ask for Genuine Microsoft software" text. If you want to show it as well, then download following ZIP file, extract it and you'll get 2 files "OEMLogo.BMP" and "OEMInfo.INI". Copy both files to "%windir\System32\" folder:

Download Files

11. That's it. We have done. Now you'll get the same look as shown in the screenshot. Enjoy...

Complete list of AskVG articles

This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows XP.

Share |

276 Comments

babu

hello sir.. U r doing great job sir .. While hacking system props in Xp ( using Resource hacker) , i'm getting error message like this ..
"The application or DLL C:\Windows\System32\SYSDM.CPL is not a valid Windows image. Please check this against ur installation diskette. "

I checked the images under BITMAP->1->1033 to BITMAP->6->1033.. Everything is looks perfect.. I also used the coding given by u in DIALOG->101->1033.. The dialog box also looks perfect. I saved it( no probs in saving the file).

As u already insisted to others i tried to replace the SYSDM.CPL in the C:\windows\system32\DLLCache. but i can't find the file there.. eventhough i copied that file to that location. Still there exists the problem..

Please help me to fix the problem
Adnan Farooqui

VG, i tried every step but it just won't work, it always shows the original box, plus i modified shutdown and other boxes u told for having look a like vista but no one works, i hav XP Professional Sp2

Help me plz
VG

^^ Please run WFP Patcher in Safe mode. You can get it in our Download section.
Adnan Farooqui

Thanks.

i have one more query that i tried to replace my bootskin with a custom one but when i reboot it shows the custom bootskin then gives a blue screen of death and then reboots again and it keeps going on and on till i run my pc in safe mode and uninstall bootskin software.

Help me out
baLaJi

^adnan
hi,
let me take this opportunity to answer. the problem is not due to sd bootskin. this is due to a wrongly patched explorer.exe/shell32.dll. it'd be better if you installed your os afresh or atleast 'recover'd it. that way you'd make sure you get a fresh explorer shell. now run bootskin first before patching any of your os files. i'm sure it should work this way! i got the same problem when i first started my patching exercises about 5-6 years ago on win98/2k. adnan, let me know the result.
Adnan Farooqui

i patched the uxtheme.dll first then i switched off WFP.

so how do i recover my system? i dont hav time to format and reinstall windows.
VG

^^ Bootskin has issues with some PC. I'll advise you to use Tuneup Utilities to apply boot screens.
baLaJi

yep. vg you're right. i did find atleast two xp versions (compaq - very old) and an educational (cut-down) vlk version that get into trouble when you use sd bootskin. both are installed at my colleag's. and guess what? i did try out tuneup utils on both of these. the systems then seem to be working fine, atleast for 24h.

the problem seems to be microsoft's so-called "memory leaks".
i dunno what seems to be leaking, probably their buggy software, it'd seem .

so adnan, you'd still have to do a "recover"y of your system using an xp boot cd (that'd avoid formatting & reinstalling &c, the pain). then the rest follows as per vg's advise.

all the best!
Rajesh Kumar

Hi vishwal,

I am trying do the same, but it not working.
The modified script and icon are changed to default.
Rajesh Kumar

Hi vishwal,

I am trying do the same, but it not working.
The modified script and icon are changed to default.