I appreciate the response.
First off, I am a newbie here. Finding it much more complicated than I expected, despite the fact that I am by no means a novice at the computer in general. That's not to be taken as a rant or complaint, just providing perspective.
You've tried installing it according to this method? http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/ObjectDock:_Changing_the_Background_Theme
Nope. I followed the instructions I was able to find. Used the methods I described above. I expected the process to be automated.
Are you trying to install a theme, or a dock background?
I downloaded what I thought were "Docks". That is what is displayed when I select ObjectDock from the list at the right side of the pages. I guess they are themes. But there is nothing in their description or filename to tell me that.
I did, last night download a theme that worked. It downloaded as a "xxx.dockzip" and clicking on it installed it. That is my understanding of how it is supposed to work.
Here are the filenames of two of the ones that don't work:
LiquidoxObjectDock.zip
OptixDocks2.zip
These appeared to be very popular files, so I have to assume the files are not screwed up in any way.
Changing the extension to dockzip did not change the outcome. The program freezes, and eventually crashes.
I hope all this makes some kind of sense.
I will sign off as
Befuddled!

Thanks