When I take my dynamic display picture with my web cam where is it stored on the HD?

HI:

I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are stored
on my harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display. Is there a
way to retrieve your picture if you take it this way. I am using the latest
version of WLM and Windows XP Pro with all updates.

TIA,

Pete

Greetings Pete,

The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following folders:
On XP:
\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
and on Vista:
\Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP

Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live ID e-mail address.

Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see them simply press the
Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the toolbar, click Tools,
then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files and folders'.
After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.

Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and rename it as a .cab.
Then you can just double-click on it and see the .GIF files inside, which is what makes up a
webcam ddp.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
news:e#$...
> HI:
>
> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are stored on my harddisk
> after taking a picture inside MSN for my display. Is there a way to retrieve your picture
> if you take it this way. I am using the latest version of WLM and Windows XP Pro with all
> updates.
>
> TIA,
>
> Pete
>

Hi Jonathan:

Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and with
view hidden files turned on there was no web cam folder, only

Backgrounds
CustomEmoticons
DynamicBackgrounds
Scenes
SignatureSounds
UserTiles
Winks3

I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the .dt
extention, I should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I switch my
display picture.

I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No
WebcamDDP directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently were
the CustomEmoticons, but when I converted
one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.

Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture with
the webcam and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you may lose
some great pictures.

Thanks in advance,

Pete


"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Greetings Pete,
>
> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following
> folders:
> On XP:
> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
> and on Vista:
> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>
> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live ID
> e-mail address.
>
> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see them
> simply press the
> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the
> toolbar, click Tools,
> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files
> and folders'.
> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>
> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and
> rename it as a .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the .GIF
> files inside, which is what makes up a webcam ddp.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature
> or citation
> --
>
>
> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
> news:e#$...
>> HI:
>>
>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are
>> stored on my harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display.
>> Is there a way to retrieve your picture if you take it this way. I am
>> using the latest version of WLM and Windows XP Pro with all updates.
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>> Pete
>>
>

HI:

I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all
files created today and then found one that corresponds with the time fairly
precisely. The file was located in UserTiles.
I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside the
cab, it was empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size could be
right.

Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture that
you liked. Why does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems to me that
it should be stored as an image file that would be viewable from explorer.
Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was planning to
do with their content.

Thanks for the help guys,

Pete

"Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
news:%232b0$...
> Hi Jonathan:
>
> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
> Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and
> with view hidden files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>
> Backgrounds
> CustomEmoticons
> DynamicBackgrounds
> Scenes
> SignatureSounds
> UserTiles
> Winks3
>
> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the .dt
> extention, I should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I switch my
> display picture.
>
> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No
> WebcamDDP directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently were
> the CustomEmoticons, but when I converted
> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>
> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture
> with the webcam and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you
> may lose some great pictures.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Pete
>
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> Greetings Pete,
>>
>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following
>> folders:
>> On XP:
>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>> and on Vista:
>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>
>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live
>> ID e-mail address.
>>
>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see
>> them simply press the
>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the
>> toolbar, click Tools,
>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden
>> files and folders'.
>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>
>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and
>> rename it as a .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the
>> .GIF files inside, which is what makes up a webcam ddp.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this
>> signature or citation
>> --
>>
>>
>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>> news:e#$...
>>> HI:
>>>
>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are
>>> stored on my harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display.
>>> Is there a way to retrieve your picture if you take it this way. I am
>>> using the latest version of WLM and Windows XP Pro with all updates.
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>>
>>> Pete
>>>
>>
>
>

Hi Pete,

Just to be clear, there are two different features here which do two different things and end
up in different places.

One is the Webcam picture, which just uses your webcam to take a display picture. This will
go into the UserTiles and will just be a static png in the .dt2.
The other is the Dynamic [webcam] picture, which uses your webcam to create the
dynamic/animated display pictures with moods. These will go into the WebcamDDP and will be a
cab file in the .dt2.

Since message topic is "dynamic display picture", I assumed the latter option is what you
were talking about.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--



"Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
news:...
> HI:
>
> I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all files created today
> and then found one that corresponds with the time fairly precisely. The file was located
> in UserTiles.
> I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside the cab, it was
> empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size could be right.
>
> Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture that you liked. Why
> does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems to me that it should be stored as an
> image file that would be viewable from explorer.
> Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was planning to do with their
> content.
>
> Thanks for the help guys,
>
> Pete
>
> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
> news:%232b0$...
>> Hi Jonathan:
>>
>> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
>> Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and with view hidden
>> files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>>
>> Backgrounds
>> CustomEmoticons
>> DynamicBackgrounds
>> Scenes
>> SignatureSounds
>> UserTiles
>> Winks3
>>
>> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the .dt extention, I
>> should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I switch my display picture.
>>
>> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No WebcamDDP
>> directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently were the CustomEmoticons, but
>> when I converted
>> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>>
>> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture with the webcam
>> and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you may lose some great pictures.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Pete
>>
>>
>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>> news:%...
>>> Greetings Pete,
>>>
>>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following folders:
>>> On XP:
>>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>>> and on Vista:
>>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>>
>>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live ID e-mail
>>> address.
>>>
>>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see them simply press
>>> the
>>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the toolbar, click
>>> Tools,
>>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files and folders'.
>>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>>
>>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and rename it as a .cab.
>>> Then you can just double-click on it and see the .GIF files inside, which is what makes
>>> up a webcam ddp.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jonathan Kay
>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>> news:e#$...
>>>> HI:
>>>>
>>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are stored on my
>>>> harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display.

Hi Jonathan:

That does clear up one problem. The reason I called it a dynamic display
picture is that is what the dialog box was titled, but they are static
images.

I still have the problem that after converting the .dt2 to a cab, the
cabinet appears to be empty. There is nothing inside even though the size
is 29 kb.

I tried double-clicking, opening, exploring the cabinet, and cannot find an
image file.

Thanks for the help,

Pete


"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Pete,
>
> Just to be clear, there are two different features here which do two
> different things and end up in different places.
>
> One is the Webcam picture, which just uses your webcam to take a display
> picture. This will go into the UserTiles and will just be a static png in
> the .dt2.
> The other is the Dynamic [webcam] picture, which uses your webcam to
> create the dynamic/animated display pictures with moods. These will go
> into the WebcamDDP and will be a cab file in the .dt2.
>
> Since message topic is "dynamic display picture", I assumed the latter
> option is what you were talking about.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature
> or citation
> --
>
>
>
> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> HI:
>>
>> I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all
>> files created today and then found one that corresponds with the time
>> fairly precisely. The file was located in UserTiles.
>> I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside
>> the cab, it was empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size
>> could be right.
>>
>> Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture
>> that you liked. Why does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems to
>> me that it should be stored as an image file that would be viewable from
>> explorer.
>> Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was planning
>> to do with their content.
>>
>> Thanks for the help guys,
>>
>> Pete
>>
>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>> news:%232b0$...
>>> Hi Jonathan:
>>>
>>> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
>>> Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and
>>> with view hidden files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>>>
>>> Backgrounds
>>> CustomEmoticons
>>> DynamicBackgrounds
>>> Scenes
>>> SignatureSounds
>>> UserTiles
>>> Winks3
>>>
>>> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the
>>> .dt extention, I should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I
>>> switch my display picture.
>>>
>>> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No
>>> WebcamDDP directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently
>>> were the CustomEmoticons, but when I converted
>>> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>>>
>>> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture
>>> with the webcam and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you
>>> may lose some great pictures.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>> Pete
>>>
>>>
>>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>> news:%...
>>>> Greetings Pete,
>>>>
>>>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following
>>>> folders:
>>>> On XP:
>>>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>>>> and on Vista:
>>>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>>>
>>>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live
>>>> ID e-mail address.
>>>>
>>>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see
>>>> them simply press the
>>>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the
>>>> toolbar, click Tools,
>>>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden
>>>> files and folders'.
>>>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>>>
>>>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and
>>>> rename it as a .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the
>>>> .GIF files inside, which is what makes up a webcam ddp.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jonathan Kay
>>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this
>>>> signature or citation
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:e#$...
>>>>> HI:
>>>>>
>>>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are
>>>>> stored on my harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my
>>>>> display.
>
>

Hi Pete,

Again, only the files within the WebcamDDP folder are cabs. For the UserTile dt2 files, they
will be png files and you rename them as such.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--

"Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
news:e6$...
> Hi Jonathan:
>
> That does clear up one problem. The reason I called it a dynamic display picture is that
> is what the dialog box was titled, but they are static images.
>
> I still have the problem that after converting the .dt2 to a cab, the cabinet appears to be
> empty. There is nothing inside even though the size is 29 kb.
>
> I tried double-clicking, opening, exploring the cabinet, and cannot find an image file.
>
> Thanks for the help,
>
> Pete
>
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi Pete,
>>
>> Just to be clear, there are two different features here which do two different things and
>> end up in different places.
>>
>> One is the Webcam picture, which just uses your webcam to take a display picture. This
>> will go into the UserTiles and will just be a static png in the .dt2.
>> The other is the Dynamic [webcam] picture, which uses your webcam to create the
>> dynamic/animated display pictures with moods. These will go into the WebcamDDP and will
>> be a cab file in the .dt2.
>>
>> Since message topic is "dynamic display picture", I assumed the latter option is what you
>> were talking about.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> HI:
>>>
>>> I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all files created
>>> today and then found one that corresponds with the time fairly precisely. The file was
>>> located in UserTiles.
>>> I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside the cab, it was
>>> empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size could be right.
>>>
>>> Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture that you liked. Why
>>> does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems to me that it should be stored as an
>>> image file that would be viewable from explorer.
>>> Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was planning to do with
>>> their content.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the help guys,
>>>
>>> Pete
>>>
>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>> news:%232b0$...
>>>> Hi Jonathan:
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
>>>> Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and with view hidden
>>>> files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>>>>
>>>> Backgrounds
>>>> CustomEmoticons
>>>> DynamicBackgrounds
>>>> Scenes
>>>> SignatureSounds
>>>> UserTiles
>>>> Winks3
>>>>
>>>> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the .dt extention, I
>>>> should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I switch my display picture.
>>>>
>>>> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No WebcamDDP
>>>> directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently were the CustomEmoticons,
>>>> but when I converted
>>>> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>>>>
>>>> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture with the webcam
>>>> and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you may lose some great pictures.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>
>>>> Pete
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:%...
>>>>> Greetings Pete,
>>>>>
>>>>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following folders:
>>>>> On XP:
>>>>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>>>>> and on Vista:
>>>>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>>>>
>>>>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live ID e-mail
>>>>> address.
>>>>>
>>>>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see them simply press
>>>>> the
>>>>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the toolbar, click
>>>>> Tools,
>>>>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files and
>>>>> folders'.
>>>>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>>>>
>>>>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and rename it as a
>>>>> .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the .GIF files inside, which is what
>>>>> makes up a webcam ddp.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Jonathan Kay
>>>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:e#$...
>>>>>> HI:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are stored on my
>>>>>> harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display.
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks Jonathan, everything works now.

Best wishes,

Pete

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Hi Pete,
>
> Again, only the files within the WebcamDDP folder are cabs. For the
> UserTile dt2 fils, they will be png files and you rename them as such.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature
> or citation
> --
>
> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
> news:e6$...
>> Hi Jonathan:
>>
>> That does clear up one problem. The reason I called it a dynamic display
>> picture is that is what the dialog box was titled, but they are static
>> images.
>>
>> I still have the problem that after converting the .dt2 to a cab, the
>> cabinet appears to be empty. There is nothing inside even though the
>> size is 29 kb.
>>
>> I tried double-clicking, opening, exploring the cabinet, and cannot find
>> an image file.
>>
>> Thanks for the help,
>>
>> Pete
>>
>>
>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi Pete,
>>>
>>> Just to be clear, there are two different features here which do two
>>> different things and end up in different places.
>>>
>>> One is the Webcam picture, which just uses your webcam to take a display
>>> picture. This will go into the UserTiles and will just be a static png
>>> in the .dt2.
>>> The other is the Dynamic [webcam] picture, which uses your webcam to
>>> create the dynamic/animated display pictures with moods. These will go
>>> into the WebcamDDP and will be a cab file in the .dt2.
>>>
>>> Since message topic is "dynamic display picture", I assumed the latter
>>> option is what you were talking about.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jonathan Kay
>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this
>>> signature or citation
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> HI:
>>>>
>>>> I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all
>>>> files created today and then found one that corresponds with the time
>>>> fairly precisely. The file was located in UserTiles.
>>>> I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside
>>>> the cab, it was empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size
>>>> could be right.
>>>>
>>>> Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture
>>>> that you liked. Why does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems
>>>> to me that it should be stored as an image file that would be viewable
>>>> from explorer.
>>>> Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was
>>>> planning to do with their content.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the help guys,
>>>>
>>>> Pete
>>>>
>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:%232b0$...
>>>>> Hi Jonathan:
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents
>>>>> and Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
>>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and
>>>>> with view hidden files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>>>>>
>>>>> Backgrounds
>>>>> CustomEmoticons
>>>>> DynamicBackgrounds
>>>>> Scenes
>>>>> SignatureSounds
>>>>> UserTiles
>>>>> Winks3
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the
>>>>> .dt extention, I should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I
>>>>> switch my display picture.
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No
>>>>> WebcamDDP directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently
>>>>> were the CustomEmoticons, but when I converted
>>>>> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a
>>>>> picture with the webcam and then add it to the Messenger display,
>>>>> otherwise you may lose some great pictures.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:%...
>>>>>> Greetings Pete,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the
>>>>>> following folders:
>>>>>> On XP:
>>>>>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>>>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>>>>>> and on Vista:
>>>>>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows
>>>>>> Live ID e-mail address.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see
>>>>>> them simply press the
>>>>>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up
>>>>>> the toolbar, click Tools,
>>>>>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden
>>>>>> files and folders'.
>>>>>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and
>>>>>> rename it as a .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the
>>>>>> .GIF files inside, which is what makes up a webcam ddp.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Jonathan Kay
>>>>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>>>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>>>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>>>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>>>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this
>>>>>> signature or citation
>>>>>> --
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:e#$...
>>>>>>> HI:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are
>>>>>>> stored on my harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my
>>>>>>> display.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Hi Pete,

Great

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--

"Pistol Pete" <> wrote in message
news:#...
> Thanks Jonathan, everything works now.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Pete
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> Hi Pete,
>>
>> Again, only the files within the WebcamDDP folder are cabs. For the UserTile dt2 fils,
>> they will be png files and you rename them as such.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>> --
>>
>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>> news:e6$...
>>> Hi Jonathan:
>>>
>>> That does clear up one problem. The reason I called it a dynamic display picture is that
>>> is what the dialog box was titled, but they are static images.
>>>
>>> I still have the problem that after converting the .dt2 to a cab, the cabinet appears to
>>> be empty. There is nothing inside even though the size is 29 kb.
>>>
>>> I tried double-clicking, opening, exploring the cabinet, and cannot find an image file.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the help,
>>>
>>> Pete
>>>
>>>
>>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Hi Pete,
>>>>
>>>> Just to be clear, there are two different features here which do two different things
>>>> and end up in different places.
>>>>
>>>> One is the Webcam picture, which just uses your webcam to take a display picture. This
>>>> will go into the UserTiles and will just be a static png in the .dt2.
>>>> The other is the Dynamic [webcam] picture, which uses your webcam to create the
>>>> dynamic/animated display pictures with moods. These will go into the WebcamDDP and will
>>>> be a cab file in the .dt2.
>>>>
>>>> Since message topic is "dynamic display picture", I assumed the latter option is what
>>>> you were talking about.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jonathan Kay
>>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> HI:
>>>>>
>>>>> I took a picture with my web cam on my Vista laptop. I searched for all files created
>>>>> today and then found one that corresponds with the time fairly precisely. The file was
>>>>> located in UserTiles.
>>>>> I moved the file to a new folder and renamed it from dt2 to cab. Inside the cab, it was
>>>>> empty or I cant see anything. It is 25 kb so the size could be right.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway seems like a rather teadious approach to find an older picture that you liked.
>>>>> Why does MS have to write such craapy software? Seems to me that it should be stored
>>>>> as an image file that would be viewable from explorer.
>>>>> Perhaps, MS has plans to steal these images the way facebook was planning to do with
>>>>> their content.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for the help guys,
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete
>>>>>
>>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:%232b0$...
>>>>>> Hi Jonathan:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks again for the help. On the XP system, I went to C:\Documents and
>>>>>> Settings\PBH\Local Settings\Application
>>>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\\ObjectS tore\Backgrounds and with view
>>>>>> hidden files turned on there was no web cam folder, only
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Backgrounds
>>>>>> CustomEmoticons
>>>>>> DynamicBackgrounds
>>>>>> Scenes
>>>>>> SignatureSounds
>>>>>> UserTiles
>>>>>> Winks3
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried looking in DynamicBackgrounds and found only 4 files with the .dt extention, I
>>>>>> should have over 20 pictures that I can see when I switch my display picture.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried on my Vista Home premium system and same symptom as above. No WebcamDDP
>>>>>> directory. The only .dt2 files that were modified recently were the CustomEmoticons,
>>>>>> but when I converted
>>>>>> one of those to a cab file in Vista, it was empty.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any other suggestions? I think the lesson learned is to take a picture with the
>>>>>> webcam and then add it to the Messenger display, otherwise you may lose some great
>>>>>> pictures.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Pete
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:%...
>>>>>>> Greetings Pete,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The webcam dynamic display pictures are located in one of the following folders:
>>>>>>> On XP:
>>>>>>> \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
>>>>>>> Data\Microsoft\Messenger\LiveID\ObjectStore\Webcam DDP
>>>>>>> and on Vista:
>>>>>>> \Users\username\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\ LiveID\ObjectStore\WebcamDDP
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Where username is your Windows username and LiveID is your Windows Live ID e-mail
>>>>>>> address.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Additionally, some of these folders will be hidden by default, to see them simply
>>>>>>> press the
>>>>>>> Alt key on the keyboard in any Windows Explorer window to bring up the toolbar, click
>>>>>>> Tools,
>>>>>>> then Folder Options, then the View tab, and then choose 'Show hidden files and
>>>>>>> folders'.
>>>>>>> After click OK, they should appear with the other folders.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Once you find them, you'll see a .dt2 file. Copy this somewhere and rename it as a
>>>>>>> .cab. Then you can just double-click on it and see the .GIF files inside, which is
>>>>>>> what makes up a webcam ddp.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Jonathan Kay
>>>>>>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>>>>>>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>>>>>>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>>>>>>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>>>>>>> (c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or
>>>>>>> citation
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Peter de B. Harrington" <> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:e#$...
>>>>>>>> HI:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have been going crazy trying to find where the webcam pictures are stored on my
>>>>>>>> harddisk after taking a picture inside MSN for my display.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

hi, i have followed your instructions and i do not understand how t
convert the dt2 to cab.
and also i can not open the dt2 file

--
sweetz