Can Not Display Vista Style Start menu, Taskbar, or Windows

[Howard]

An odd thing happened with my PC this morning. I totally lost the ability to
display the Vista style start menu, task bar or winodws. Everything reverted
back to the classic windows style.

I have tried to change the settings in the start menu properties as well
trying to perform a system restore to several points. Neither solution
solved the problem. Also, the system restore attempts did not complete
successfully and I received an "unspecified system error."

Here are a few things I did before the error ocurred.

First, I installed a new sidebar gadget from the Microsoft site which I then
uninstalled.

I also rebooted my PC since itunes was not starting properly. I rebooted
with my ipod connected and the sytem froze so disconnected it and restarted
in safe mode and the classic windows style start button etc appeared.

When I rebooted I normal mode only the classic view is available and I can
not revert to the normal Vista style. As mentioned, a system restore from
several points failed with the unspecified error message dispalyed.

Any idea what caused the problem and how to correct it?

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

You might need to refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) rating.
1. Click Start
2. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, hit enter
3. Click the Update my score link
4. Click Continue on the User Account Control dialog

If that does not work, open Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services

 

[Howard]

Andre,

I tried both of your suggestions but neither remedied the problem. I also
tried turning off Desktop Windows Services manager and then restarting it.

Any other suggestions?

 

[mikeyhsd]

did you check the display properties to insure aero is turned-on.
right click on desk top select Personalize, and the color section at the top.




(e-mail address removed)



Andre,

I tried both of your suggestions but neither remedied the problem. I also
tried turning off Desktop Windows Services manager and then restarting it.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories and right-click
on the Command Prompt and choose "Run as administrator".
Type in: SFC /SCANNOW and press your Enter key.

If that does not work, try repairing your system. Boot from your Windows
Vista DVD, select the System Repair Option > on the setup screen, select
'Repair Computer > Select your installation of Windows > select Startup
Repair option and follow instructions.

If that does not work, try updating your video card driver. By the way,
could you give us the specs on the video card itself, brand, model, video
memory?

 

[Howard]

Mikeyhsd's suggestion solved the problem. It seems that when I booted the PC
in safe mode it automatically changed the Appearance Setting from Aero to
Classic and then when it rebooted in normal mode it did not change it back,
and upon the reboot the usual method of changing the start menu properties
through the orb's property choices was ineffective.

Thanks all for your help!