Watchtower Library 2007 Tips

What Is the Issue?

Note, you do not need this fix on the latest versions of CrossOver, i.e. version 7.0.2 and above, unless you want the paging buttons in the search panel. The tooltips issue has been more-or-less resolved in the underlying Wine emulation software.

(Skip to What to Do below if you just want it to work and don't care why!)

All versions of Microsoft Windows include a COMCTL32.DLL file. It contains software code for "common controls" hence the COM plus CTL (32 for 32 bits, too much detail!) The term "control" refers to small elements of the graphics display used for interacting with the user.

Watchtower Library makes use of common controls, especially their customising features. For instance, when you hover the mouse cursor over scripture references, a yellow box pops up showing all or part of the cited text. Watchtower Library 2007 also uses common control functions to draw parts of the search panel (left-hand side).

Problem though: CrossOver (actually Wine upon which it's based) has limited support for common controls. Custom-draw tool tips (yellow pop-ups) do not have support in the current version. So tool tips pop up as empty yellow boxes. Not useful!

Happily, CrossOver lets you combine genuine pieces of Microsoft Windows with emulated pieces. Copying the COMCTL32 piece resolves the tool tip and other graphics related issues. But not including display of map images. The following section describes what you need to do.

What to Do

Three steps, as follows:

1. Copy a native comctl32.dll

First of all, you need to get a file from your Windows machine. Its name is comctl32.dll. Copy it to your Mac using a USB stick or some other device. Don't go looking for this on your Mac! Look for it on a computer running Microsoft Windows.

Copy the DLL file from your Windows installation to windows/system32 in your CrossOver bottle. Dive into the next section How to Locate the windows/system32 Folder Within a Bottle for details if unsure, then resurface here. Overwrite the default built-in version created automatically within your bottle.

Where is comctl32.dll on my Windows machine? Windows installations typically have many versions. Try version 6.0.0.0; you'll find it in your Windows subdirectory under WinSxS. Look under

WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.0.0_x-ww_1382d70a

and copy the comctl32.dll file that you find here to windows/system32 within the new bottle. Of course, you need a valid Windows license for this step. Caesar's things to Caesar!

• Note, copying this doesn't mean you need Microsoft Windows to run the Library! You only need one file from Windows. That's all. Also, take care not to delete comctl32.dll from your Windows installation; doing so will likely cause problems.
• Where is windows/system32 within the new bottle? See tip below on how to locate windows/system32 folder within a bottle. The tip also describes what a bottle really is.

2. Delete the "dead beef" manifest

It lives under windows/winsxs/manifests. Look for a file named

x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.2600.2982_none_deadbeef.manifest

and delete. You'll likely need to switch folder view to List View to see the long name; expand the name column and look for deadbeef.manifest at the end of the name. Drag it to Trash. If you don't delete (or rename) this, the native comctl32.dll does not load.

3. Override comctl32 using winecfg

Go to CrossOver's Configure menu. Select Manage Bottles. Click the Control Panel tab. Launch winecfg.

Add an application. Select WTLibrary.exe; you'll find it under Program Files\Watchtower\Watchtower Library 2007\E, E for English. Highlight WTLibrary.exe and click Open. Then (while WTLibrary.exe is selected!) switch to Libraries. Add an override for comctl32. Choose "native, builtin". Click OK once added.

Now you can run the library. Tool tip pop-ups show referenced texts. Search panel looks normal and works correctly!

Regards, Roy