can't switch skins (0.8.6b)

[NQK]

Again, i'm a newbie and i may be asking stupid questions, but I can't change skins of VLC. What i did was:

1) Run VLC
2) Go to "Settings | Switch Interface | Skin 2"
3) Browse to the downloaded skin file (which said it was for 0.8.6)
4) VLC just shutdowns.

What am I to do?

[DJ]

Does it work OK with the default skin when changing to the skins 2 module?

[NQK]

No new skin would be loaded, sir.

[DJ]

So from the settings pull down you select "Switch interface" then select "Skins 2" interface and nothing happens?

It should switch to the default skin. When you close and reopen VLC it may not hold as you may need to modify the shortcut so that there is nothing after "VLC.EXE" NO options. You should NOT be watching a video when you make the switch.

[CloudStalker]

And may I also suggest switching to skins from the start menu: Start > All Programs > VideoLAN > Quick Settings > Interface > Switch Main Interface to Skinnable.

It will now start you off on the "default" skin (black and white) and from there you can select the skin(s) that you've moved to the "skins" directory of VLC.

[NQK]

let's make it clear here.

I heard VLC is portable and it is. So i just copy the VLC folder to another computer, which i'm on now, and VLC loads fine (no skin), and play videos.

i downloaded skin files and put it in the skins folder.

I run VLC, go to settings | Preferences.. ==> interface | module interface ==> and select "Skinable Interface" in the Interface Module dropdown menu. ==> Save

it brings me back now to VLC main window, with no skin certainly. I close VLC and start it back again.

it seems VLC would not hold the modified settings: it means when i restart VLC, it becomes "default" again, rather than the "Skinable Interface".

and when I tried to load a new skin, VLC just turn off and when it is restarted by me, nothing happens, the skin stayed unchanged.

[CloudStalker]

I understand the problem, it has happened to me a few times, that's is why I suggested, while VLC is shutdown, to [follow the instructions in the red lettering]. It should work this way.

[MetalheadGautham]

hey any moderator or developer who is watching! please move this to the skins forum...

[NQK]

Start > All Programs > VideoLAN > Quick Settings > Interface > Switch Main Interface to Skinnable.

This, sadly, wouldn't help. The settings would not be kept

[MetalheadGautham]

thats because of the fact that preferences and cache are stored in a folder in the application data folder. I already asked that this be changed to a folder in the installation folder, but it is yet to be done.

[DJ]

If what you suggested here were to be accomplished various users of the same machine could NOT have there own settings.

[MetalheadGautham]

but it is not required in most home use environments. a portable version must have what I said above.

Why not make a special portable version that stores all the data in the vlc installation folder?

[DJ]

VLC is portable with or without this suggestion and the time to make the changes and compile for all systems would be very unnecessarily time consuming, besides confusing the end user that generally doesn't understand the difference.

[MetalheadGautham]

but if you notice, softwares like MPUI, Media Player Classic, etc can use a ini file to store settings. can't vlc be made to do the same?

[DJ]

MPC is NOT multi-user friendly.

Perhaps an option in Preferences as to where VLC writes it's files might be more practical.

[ipkiss]

This, sadly, wouldn't help. The settings would not be kept

You probably don't have the rights to create/update the vlcrc file in its default location.

Why not make a special portable version that stores all the data in the vlc installation folder?

Feel free to use the --config flag which allows specifying a different path for the configuration file...

[NQK]

You probably don't have the rights to create/update the vlcrc file in its default location.

I am the admin of this computer. and what's the default location you referred to? I would not care if where it would write to, as long as it work and skins can be changed.
Please help me.

[DJ]

http://wiki.videolan.org/Frequently_Ask ... ig_file.3F

Perhaps making a simple change to Preferences like changing the default volume would be helpful in determining if you have rights to the preferences folder and this is being updated. Don't forget you must press Save and close the program for the changes to take effect.

[NQK]

ha ha, is it a bug or not that VLC would not write anything to the "application data". I'm sure I have the right to do anything there.

[DJ]

If you did the test you would know and not be here asking this question! I use lots of differing setups and I know that VLC is remembering my preferences.

[Konkreter Bob]

Had the same problem. The preferences would just not be remembered.
Whatever I did, after restart VLC would not start in skinnable interface.
(0.8.6c on WinXP SP2)

So i checked the file with preferences (vlcrc). And I could not even edit it.
In preferences of the file I unchecked the 'hidden' button. And everything worked fine for me.

Don't know if that's a bug or a feature of the just downloaded and installed version but I never had any problems changing preferences before.

btw: I looove VLC.

[DJ]

This, sadly, wouldn't help. The settings would not be kept

You probably don't have the rights to create/update the vlcrc file in its default location.

Why not make a special portable version that stores all the data in the vlc installation folder?

Feel free to use the --config flag which allows specifying a different path for the configuration file...

Actually I had forgotten about this! It is the most practical suggestion here. This option also exists in Preferences.

Thanks ipkiss!