How to install bootscreens ...

There are two ways to install the ntoskrnl.exe. I find the "method boot.ini" is better (more safe and practical).
 

Warnings

Wrong manipulating on the boot.ini or a wrong or damaged ntoskrnl.exe can make your system unbootable.
I'm not responsible for any damage and resulting problems or costs of your manipulations.

It's strong recommended to read the instructions below carefuly and make a backup copy of your original boot.ini and ntoskrnl.exe before you start manipulating. So you can recover in the "worst case" your original boot.ini and ntoskrnl.exe through the "revovery console" of  Windows XP and repair your system.

You can not use the ntoskrnl.exe of my bootscreen packages, if your system not use the standard ntoskrnl.exe (for example if your have a dual CPU system).

If your Windows XP have another language than english, it should be no problem to use also the in my bootscreen packages included ntoskrnl.exe. I'm working also with a Windows XP in german and using the english ntoskrnl.exe without any problems.

Don't worry to much, this methods working by thousands of people, just go step for step.
 

Method boot.ini

You can add a new line to your boot.ini file, giving you a choice of which Bootscreen you wish to view

1) Download the .zip file to your computer

2) Extract ntoskrnl.exe to a directory other than %windir%\system32 (most likely
C:\windows\system32), for example C:\Temp.

3) Rename the ntoskrnl.exe in your C:\Temp directory to another name, for example to ntosboot.exe

4) Move or copy your ntosboot.exe from your C:\Temp directory to the %windir%\system32 directory (most likely C:\windows\system32)

5) Modify your boot.ini file: Edit your boot.ini file by going to Start / System Control / System / folder Extended / Starting and Restore / Adjustments / Systemstart button / Edit
OR
edit boot.ini using notepad: you can find it in the system root (C:\)
(note: the boot.ini file normally has hidden and system attributes, open TOOLS>FOLDER OPTIONS menu in Windows Explorer, select VIEW tab, and:
tick 'Display contents of system folders'
tick 'Show hidden files and folders'
untick 'Hide protected operating system files'
You should now be able to see/open boot.ini using notepad from the system root (C:\) )

6) In the boot.ini file you have to copy the line you use normally use for boot (this is usually the last line, eg: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Windows XP" /fastdetect  ), and paste this copy underneath.
At the end of this new line, add this text: "/KERNEL=ntosboot.exe" (The name 'ntosboot.exe'  should be whatever you renamed the ntoskrnl.exe to when you extracted it to C:/Temp (in step 3))

7) Change the OS name, for example:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Windows XP"  /fastdetect  /KERNEL=ntosboot.exe
becomes
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Windows XP Bootlogo" /fastdetect /KERNEL=ntosboot.exe

Here is an example of the modified boot.ini, with the last line added:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Windows XP" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Windows XP Bootlogo" /fastdetect /KERNEL=NTOSBOOT.EXE

7) Exit & save the boot.ini file

6) Reboot your PC. You should get an option as to which OS you wish to boot into - to test your new bootscreen, select "Windows XP Bootlogo".' Your system should now show the boot picture of your choice while booting!

I think that this is the safest method, because if something goes wrong, you can just reboot and select the original operating system from the boot list. It's also practical, because if you wish to change/test your bootscreen in future, you just have to repeat step 1 to 4.
 

Method Save Mode

Boot into Safe Mode or DOS. This is the only way you can actually overwrite/replace 'ntoskrnl.exe', due to the fact that XP protects it as a system folder.

1) Backup (copy) the file %windir%\system32\ntoskrnl.exe (most likely C:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe - the boot screen)

2) Download the .zip file to your computer

3) Extract ntoskrnl.exe to a directory other than %windir%\system32 (most likely C:\windows\system32)

4) Reboot your computer into Safe Mode (hit F8 before the boot screen) or into true DOS (from a boot disk)

5) In Safe Mode, overwrite the file %windir%\system32\ntoskrnl.exe (which should have been backed up) with the extracted exe

6) Reboot your computer as you normally would

You can find this information also at:  http://www.themexp.org/howto.php
 

General Informations

If you want have a look at all my bootscreens follow the link:
http://www.themexp.org/search.php?txt=swissboy&op=auth

If you like my bootscreens you may give them good ratings and write some comments!
Good ratings and comments are the rewards for my work!

Hopefully I can help you with this informations.
 

best regards
swissboy
Roland