Changing O2 Boot/Logo Screen [Archive]

soulpower

03-16-2009, 00:22

Has anybody been successful at it? I found the threads regarding changing the A2/3 screen, etc. and tried the same but couldn't get it to work. I edited the COWON_LOGO.bin file to put my own .jpg image, then tried to rename it but no luck. Even putting the edited image back in the O2 did not show, just a black screen.

SP

Nujabez

03-16-2009, 00:56

I don't think the Cowon O2 has the option to change the startup logo like the A2 & A3. But Cowon themselves did change the startup logo of the first couple of firmwares from the "ugly" blue startup logo into a nice plain white startup logo in the later firmwares. It would be cool if they let us have custom startup logos though.

Ludd

03-16-2009, 13:57

Ugly blue? Was it really that ugly? Or have you been brainwashed into thinking so by people who didn't like it. The startup logo's colour is something way too trivial to be bothered by.

Nujabez

03-16-2009, 15:20

nah lol it wasn't that ugly. I was just pretty mad that day because of all my math homework. It was alright looking but I thought it looked kind of "corny" but yeah its not that big of a deal.

bdroc

03-16-2009, 16:34

Shortly

03-16-2009, 18:00

really? i thought it was kind of ugly lol...the grey was a nice change

the blue almost gave it the look of a toy, where the grey was more presentable...

i would prefer it to be some form of black because it blinds me when i turn it on at night (though im smart enough to turn it away)...and it doesnt read your brightness level until the main menu

I'm with you bdroc. I think the brightness is overbearing, especially in the morning, when I go to my truck and it is still dark out. It probably looks like I have a television in my truck. :D

The startup screen isn't so bad. I would expect that Cowon would like to leave some proprietary things on the device. The startup screen if changeable, I would like a darker screen. I would like even my own personal information if it happens to get stolen... although it probably isn't very likely that it will be returned. Have you seen some of the young punks today - heck even the adults? ... sorry, another topic [laugh]

I like the Cowon logo. Very visually non-obtrusive, unlike the Apple logo. Yuck. I get sick of it whenever I see it. They just bring a whole connotation with it. So, anyway, the Cowon logo, is okay, I just would like the text readable from any darkness of screen - for example a black background would show lighter text. Also, the way it is now with light background behind dark text. Just intelligent enough to know the difference, is all I ask

Ludd

03-16-2009, 19:27

I agree totally with the brightness being too much and us being given an option to change whatever we need to.....it's always nice to be given that privilege, and gives the player an immense edge over all the others out there.

memexe

03-16-2009, 21:30

Hey I really changed my O2 logo with this one:

http://board.cowon.com/zeroboard/zboard.php?id=C06&category=&no=9611&bmenu=C&category=960

Search on the page(it is in korean!!!) the file "desktop.zip" and download it.
I already installed it 2 months ago the same way like you do with the firmware, and I'm ok...no errors!

You can search for other logos on the korean cowon support page for 02 along with the wallpapers, and mostly important for firmware because it is there where it appears first.

I do not know how to edit the COWON_O2_LOGO.bin for putting as logo an image chosen by myself...

Ludd

03-16-2009, 22:13

Hmm, we need someone (preferably a native korean speaker) to be regularly perusing those korean boards and bringing us all the good stuff. What picture is the logo?

memexe

03-16-2009, 22:24

I edited the COWON_LOGO.bin file to put my own .jpg image, then tried to rename it but no luck.

As I learned with the ESRB logo that I installed on my O2, the image it uses it`s a .bmp. So u can try to reedit your .bin using a .bmp file with the same properties of the .bmp file that you will find in the desktop.zip. I allready posted a link where you will find it. Could you share the results?

memexe

03-16-2009, 22:28

What picture is the logo?

It is a ESRB typical notice:
Mature 17+:
BLOOD AND GORE
SEXUAL THEMES
INTENSE VIOLENCE
STRONG LANGUAGE

I find it nice, but I would really like to put some images that I like very much.

bdroc

03-16-2009, 22:30

agreed, because there might be a whole lot of new games or apps made for the O2 that we are completely unaware of

soulpower

03-16-2009, 23:01

As I learned with the ESRB logo that I installed on my O2, the image it uses it`s a .bmp. So u can try to reedit your .bin using a .bmp file with the same properties of the .bmp file that you will find in the desktop.zip. I allready posted a link where you will find it. Could you share the results?

I did exactly as the instructions said. made the .bmp with the exact same specifications and saved it, however i found that the file could not be renamed to .bin. i tried but it was still recognized as a .bmp file. i tried using the .bmp file to no effect. if the file extension could somehow be changed back to .bin it would work. i used GIMP to edit the COWON_LOGO.bin and save as .bmp (GIMP will not allow you to save as a .bin file).

????

SP

Ludd

03-16-2009, 23:10

Paint can open it if you save it externally as .bin and open it in paint for editing. I am trying and I'm getting closer and closer, I am noe experimenting with different bitmap levels i.e 24 bit, 16 bit, monochrome, 256 etc

EDIT: 256 colour bitmap worked but needless to say it makes a powerful picture look much weaker, I am now experimenting with different pics to find a new one or see how other pics look with 16 bit depth.

EDIT: SUCCESS! I found a bunch of pics on the internet that work as background startup images.
Steps:
1. Get the picture (or any other pic of exactly 480x272 pixels) and use paint to convert it to a 256 colour bitmap.
2. Then rename it to COWON_O2_LOGO.bin
3. Transfer this .bin file to your O2's root directory
4. Restart and there you are!

I have attached a few that i can confirm work, there are many more to be had because the psp has the same resolution. Here is a good website: http://www.mypspwallpapers.com If you find a good one please let us all know.The one I am using is too large to be attached, it is a white picture of a very colourful eye, I chose this cos it looks good in 256.. When I get all the kinks ironed out I will post a thread of this. I have to find a way to use higher quality images such as 16-bit or even 24-bit bitmaps.

Ludd

03-16-2009, 23:34

Sorry, I am just double posting to draw attention to my previous post. I think I'll boot up photoshop to make some powerful and unique start-up screens. I think I'll change my startup screen on a weekly basis just like I do my wallpaper

EDIT: Go for those pictures that look drawn or like concept art. In 256 colours they look almost the same as original unless they are extremely colourful. Black and white pictures work well too.

EDIT2: You can keep a bunch of images on the O2 for switching. As long as they are the right bitmap and aren't on the root directory they will keep. To use them all you need to do is copy it out onto the root directory change extension from bmp to bin and then restart the O2.
Unfortunately you will need a computer to do the renaming and copying.

EDIT3: I think I have to use more emoticons in my posts.

soulpower

03-17-2009, 00:09

Ludd, thanks but didn't work for me. saving the file as COWON_LOGO.bin didn't make a difference; the name of the file contains the .bin but is still recognized as a bitmap file.

SP

Ludd

03-17-2009, 00:14

U sure? Did you do all the things? Convert to 256 colour bitmap first? Renaming, changing file extension then transferring? If you are on windows make sure to show file extensions from the folder options otherwise you cannot change the file extension. It works wonderfully for me now. You are using GIMP aren't you? Try some other program. Paint does the job perfectly. I have tested about a dozen startup images in the past half-hour and have settled on a Francesc Fabregas one....for this week

soulpower

03-17-2009, 00:19

yep- did everything. first used GIMP to edit large images and change .bmp settings. then opened with Paint, saved as 256 .bmp with .bin in the end of the file name. when that didn'T work i manually tried to change the name to .bin but still didn't work. then tried PowerISO to change the file to a .bin. No dice. using windows vista home.

SP

Ludd

03-17-2009, 00:25

Ok I think know what you are doing wrong.

Firstly don't touch GIMP at all, you won't need it unless you can get the image to exactly 480x272 with it. If not the image will not display or will distort. There is an online image resizing tool that works like a charm, try that: http://www.picresize.com/. Open the resized 480x272 jpg, png or whatever directly with paint and 'save as' 256 bitmap.

Then make sure to change file options. On any window you should see that option on one of the drop-down menus. I am using windows 7 so I cannot be certain exactly where but I know it's there. Look for file and folder options, then click on the second tab and uncheck the box that says "hide known file extensions". Once you have done that you can go back to the file you edited into 256 bitmap with paint. now you can change the file extension to .bin and it will register. Previously what you were doing was just editing the filename and not the extension. To know whether or not you are editing the extension; click the image and then press F2, if the extension is highlighted then that is not the extension, only the filename will be highlighted, the extension will remain unhighlighted.

Hope that helps. Post if it works out.

I guess I will have to add the file extension thing to any thread I post about this. Thanks soulpower.

soulpower

03-17-2009, 00:41

Ludd, thanks a lot for the explanation, helps! however i have not been able to find the "hide known file extensions" tab. i do have a "file and search option" under the first tab on any window, but i could not find the option to uncheck "hide known file extensions." i'll keep trying.

SP

EDIT: SUCCESS! Thanks Ludd!

What happened: I found the "hide extension" checkbox. It took a while because my OS is in Japanese. I looked for the word for "hide" but didn't find it. Turns out it was worded "do not show registered file extension." I just unchecked it, renamed the file, and voila!

SP

Ludd

03-17-2009, 00:54

Superb....I'm glad it works for you! Now all I need to do is find out how to do higher quality images. If I cannot, within a week I will make a dedicated thread with very detailed instructions on how to change the O2 startup logo.

bdroc

03-17-2009, 01:40

cool, as much as i dont mind the start up logo now, here is one that ill use to not go blind. hmm boot screens...i smell a "sticky" on its way

just download, unzip, place .bin file in root, and run

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4063&d=1237272876

Shortly

03-17-2009, 05:31

Thanks for the black startup logo, bdroc! Awesome! Yo da man!

memexe

03-17-2009, 06:56

Thanks Ludd and Soulpower! I'm waiting for the sticky thread before starting to make my own logos. I recommend that the title of the thread says that it's for instructions AND posting/changing logos between forum members. I already have ideas for the images that I will use for logos, but I really don't have time the next days for experimenting so later this week I'll post some proposed logos. Once again, great find! Thanks!

Ludd

03-17-2009, 08:21

I'll make sure to mention in the thread about posting very good startup logos such as very funny or very cool good-looking ones. Thanks for the top-notch black one bdroc but I prefer my idol Fabregas to greet me whenever I start up my O2. I'll keep yours for when I get tired of Cesc, def a certainty. Very very nice start-up screen you've got there. Anyone tried a 16-bit picture yet? I am looking for a program to convert to 16-bit cos paint doesn't have that option and I will prob find one soon but maybe someone has already tried 16-bit? Anyone?

tpilk

03-17-2009, 13:35

cool, as much as i dont mind the start up logo now, here is one that ill use to not go blind.

Love that! Thanks for posting it.

We've had a lot more activity on these forums lately, which is great.
I hope everybody can benefit from things like this.

soulpower

03-17-2009, 19:13

Ludd

03-17-2009, 19:33

So GIMP can convert to 16 bit bitmap? Good to hear. Is it of good quality? HAve you tried 24-bit bitmap images? When I use 24-bit images they don't show at all, all that there is is a black screen.

Skybij

03-17-2009, 21:09

I used FastStone Photo Resizer (http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm) very useful program with a lot of features, stable and easy to use.
Look what I got:

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/353644/COWON_O2_LOGO.bmp

Ludd

03-17-2009, 21:40

Superb. I will recommend this program in the forthcoming thread. The portable version is top-notch.

soulpower

03-17-2009, 21:51

be careful not to put anything copyrighted on here as not to get anyone in trouble.

SP

Skybij

03-17-2009, 22:09

It's freeware, so everybody should be alright.
I wonder why O2 can't take 24-bit images. Maybe it's because file size is too big?

Ludd

03-18-2009, 08:36

I can't seem to get 16 bit to work. I used that free program provided and converted to 16-bit but it didn't work. I will try with GIMP next.

JanRas

03-19-2009, 11:30

I can't seem to get 16 bit to work. I used that free program provided and converted to 16-bit but it didn't work. I will try with GIMP next.

I used gimp with success to change the boot logo, just remember to select
bmp file format and 16 bit 565 in the 'Advanced Option' thats pop up during save file as.

Compare the file size of the original file (LOGO.BIN ) and the new one, it has to be the identical.

I have put my name and phone number on the boot screen, in the hope
that, if it gets lost, there is a chance of it returning.

tpilk

03-19-2009, 13:33

May seem pretty obvious, but when you update firmware, don't copy/paste over the new logo.bin file or it will replace the custom one.

bdroc

03-19-2009, 15:33

I have put my name and phone number on the boot screen, in the hope that, if it gets lost, there is a chance of it returning.

thats a pretty good idea, i did that with my h320 but not on the boot, but the custom label under than back cover..though i never lost it...

Ludd

04-04-2009, 18:28

OK, I have played with GIMP for a while as well as all sorts of images and the BOOT LOGO thread will be created soon. I haven't forgotten, just got a bit busy........sorry.

Note: if you use anything other than 480x272 resolution bad things happen, very bad things indeed.

Another note: Psp wallpapers abound, are very nice and sharp, and are of every imaginable type. These work well as O2 backgrounds or bootscreens or both.

EDIT: Got a paper due, thread will be postponed some more, dinna worry, I'll sit down after champions league on wednesday and finish it for sure..............maybe...............

Sapphire

04-14-2009, 10:47

Try this! I made it yesterday.

XHolyNoobX

04-16-2009, 00:48

Just to confirm again, rename the file as LOGO.bin ?

or COWON_O2_LOGO.bin ?

Because I see people referring to it as the former...

BMP file in 480X272, 16 bit

rename COWON_O2_LOGO.bmp to COWON_O2_LOGO.bin

just the bin file ( not including bmp ) in the root folder and then just boot it up right ?

Ludd

04-16-2009, 06:36

It's COWON_O2_LOGO.bin, 16 bit works good and is of high quality.

just the bin and boot up and it should work fine. you can use the numerous psp wallpapers on the internet to make a startup image. you can safely put the bitmap anywhere on the O2 and it will treat it the same as any other file, it is only the bin it will use to upgrade firmware, i.e startup image

I really should make that thread pretty soon..........