VLC 1.1.9 problems with preferences changing

[jagman55]

I am trying VLC 1.1.9 with Windows 7 Home Premium and like to change some preferences like custom interface, image captures, etc.

So, i reviewed the preferences and changed some simple ones like snapshot parms, and thought might interesting to change the SKINS. i downloaded some from your site and on the preferences, I clicked a box called SKINNABLE INTERFACE.

When I saved the preference and restarted VLC, a DOS screen flashed for a nanosecond and disappeared and refused to start.
After about 30 minutes of uninstalling and reinstalling one preference at a time, i discovered the preference that was bombing VLC was the box SKINNABLE INTERFACE.

What is SKINNING INTERFACE and should it be ignored and will i NOT need it to change the SKINS I downloaded?

2. How do I change the SKINS as didn't VLC used to have a pull down for SKINS that I do not see now.

3. What is the current method to make VLC start with a decent size screen? It seems the older ones had one that dealt with the new screen was the same size of the last one you used (defined by dragging)?