XP only allows "Windows classic style" Appearance

[mstenzel]

Every so often after a restart, Windows XP (SP 2) shifts into a Windows 98 /
Classic display style. Sometimes I can change it back to "Windows XP Style"
under Display Properties | Appearance | Windows and buttons. Right now,
however, I am stuck in Classic Style and Windows XP Style will not even
appear as an option in the drop-down menu. Under Display Properties |
Themes, I always re-select an XP theme, but it only gives me the background
of that theme, not the toolbars or folder styles of XP.

Any idea how to correct this?

I don't know if this is related, but also every so often after a restart, I
get a message saying that something was missing from the registry and a file
was retrieved from a backup copy somewhere. Could it be the cause of the
display problems?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Marcus

 

[Roy Coorne]

Every so often after a restart, Windows XP (SP 2) shifts into a Windows 98 /
Classic display style. Sometimes I can change it back to "Windows XP Style"
under Display Properties | Appearance | Windows and buttons. Right now,
however, I am stuck in Classic Style and Windows XP Style will not even
appear as an option in the drop-down menu. Under Display Properties |
Themes, I always re-select an XP theme, but it only gives me the background
of that theme, not the toolbars or folder styles of XP.

Any idea how to correct this?

Enough resources (RAM, MHz...)?

Are the settings in System > System Properties > Advanced -
Performance > Settings > Visual Effects: ...for best appearance? Or what?

I don't know if this is related, but also every so often after a restart, I
get a message saying that something was missing from the registry and a file
was retrieved from a backup copy somewhere. Could it be the cause of the
display problems?
Yes.

Any help is appreciated.

If there are sufficient resources and favorable settings, I would do a
repair install of WinxP.

Roy

 

[mstenzel]

Thanks, Roy.
My resources are ample (1.8 GHz, 768 MB RAM). I think you're on to
something re: the Visual Effects. I do a custom effect setting with only a
few effects, one of which is "Use visual styles on windows and buttons."
When I boot up and my display is in Classic style, the check box for "Use
visual styles..." is unchecked. Does that mean that Windows is having a
hard time remebering my settings? Will a repair install fix that? Or do
you know where the registry entry is for that so I could fix it manually?

Thanks for the ideas.
Marcus

 

[Rock]

Every so often after a restart, Windows XP (SP 2) shifts into a Windows 98 /
Classic display style. Sometimes I can change it back to "Windows XP Style"
under Display Properties | Appearance | Windows and buttons. Right now,
however, I am stuck in Classic Style and Windows XP Style will not even
appear as an option in the drop-down menu. Under Display Properties |
Themes, I always re-select an XP theme, but it only gives me the background
of that theme, not the toolbars or folder styles of XP.

Any idea how to correct this?

I don't know if this is related, but also every so often after a restart, I
get a message saying that something was missing from the registry and a file
was retrieved from a backup copy somewhere. Could it be the cause of the
display problems?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Marcus

Try running the edit on Kelly's site, line 214, "Windows XP Style
Changes to Windows Classic": http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Instructions are at the top of the page.

 

[Rock]

Every so often after a restart, Windows XP (SP 2) shifts into a Windows 98 /
Classic display style. Sometimes I can change it back to "Windows XP Style"
under Display Properties | Appearance | Windows and buttons. Right now,
however, I am stuck in Classic Style and Windows XP Style will not even
appear as an option in the drop-down menu. Under Display Properties |
Themes, I always re-select an XP theme, but it only gives me the background
of that theme, not the toolbars or folder styles of XP.

Any idea how to correct this?

I don't know if this is related, but also every so often after a restart, I
get a message saying that something was missing from the registry and a file
was retrieved from a backup copy somewhere. Could it be the cause of the
display problems?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Marcus

Also on the second issue see this KB article:
How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=822705

 

[Kelly]

Much more info needed:

1. Did this happen after running a spyware, malware cleaner?
2. Did this happen after installing a third party desktop enhancer?
3. Did this happen after what, specifically?
4. Specially means: Why sometimes....after doing???

--
Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[George]

No guarantee, but check this:

Right-click My Computer / Manage / double-click Services and
Applications / double-click Services / scroll down to Themes
and check if Status says Started and that Startup Type says
Automatic / if not, double-click Themes / under General tab
make the required changes for Startup type and Service status.
Restart for good measure.

Happy Holidays,
George

 

[Guest]

No guarantee, but check this:

Right-click My Computer / Manage / double-click Services and
Applications / double-click Services / scroll down to Themes
and check if Status says Started and that Startup Type says
Automatic / if not, double-click Themes / under General tab
make the required changes for Startup type and Service status.
Restart for good measure.

Happy Holidays,
George





MESSAGE- I have a similare problem, my comp is stuck with 98 theme, only when i go to choose windows XP theme, it sais Run DLL As A APP has encountered a problem, must close right now etc. (I think it started becuase i downloaded StarSkin and the theme generator screws with your themes and now i wont let me load any thing but windows 98 theme. PLS HELP

 

[Kelly]

Hmm and what did StarSkin have to say about this?

--
Happy Mardi Gras,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

MESSAGE: Don't know, spose they give me crap ho'bout' it don't do that and
they no respnibility, i got i from download.com any way.