Windows XP interface lost, can only choose "classic windows"

[aka1nas]

OK, here's what happened. My 2nd hard drive had a head crash(Damn IBM 60GXP, already replaced once), and when I restarted, myinterface had gone back to the classic windows look. In the Appearances tab, there is no other option but classic windows, and I can't find any service that would fix this. Any ideas?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

unfortunately, you will probably have to reinstall windows (as is the case with many windows probs), just do a repair install, it will still keep your settings and what not.

 

[aka1nas]

Hehe. Thats what I ended up with myself, only when I did that, XP got a bluescreen every time I tried to boot up. I had to reformat it all. sigh.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< Hehe. Thats what I ended up with myself, only when I did that, XP got a bluescreen every time I tried to boot up. I had to reformat it all. sigh. >>


ack. oh well, formatting is refreshing, like douche for geeks.

 

[WyteWatt]

So aka1nas are you getting a new IBM 120 gxp HD ? Or a new IBM HD ever again? Wondering
I was thinking about maybe getting a IBM 120 gxp series HD. But not sure on that at all.

Thanks

 

[aka1nas]

Well, I bought 2 40GB IBM 60GXPs for a RAID 0 setup from the local PC Club. They died within 2 months, within 2 weeks of each other. Sent them back. IBM took 6 weeks to SHIP(not received by me)new ones to me. Of those two, one just died last night. I still have the other drive in my other computer, which so far hasn't made any noises or given me problems. Of course, its my spare comp I hardly use as it is my spare parts farm and I steal components as backups if I have a part in my main rig fail. Either way, I've lost 75% of the drives I have owned from them and they weren't even the now infamous 75GXP! I think that thats enough to keep me from buying IBM, at least for another year or 2, to see if they have improved their quality.

 

[WyteWatt]

You think i should try a IBM 120 GXP series HD or too risky? I am thinking too risky but maybe i should try if i can wait those weeks i guess to get a new HD in. If i can not then i guess i should get a company that has 1 to 2 days like maxtor.

 

[btvillarin]

I'm not sure if anyone answered your question, but the option for new XP interface should be found here:
System Properties > Advanced tab > Performance settings > check "Use visual styles on windows and buttons"

 

[aka1nas]

umm. I just had this occur again on my new install of XP. Y our suggestion didnt work. Any other ideas?

 

[RalfHutter]

You gotta make sure your "Themes" service is running also. Go to Services and set it to start automatically (if it's not already set that way) and turn it on, click "apply" and try again. It's in "Start>Settings>Administrative Tools".

You also need some files in the "C:\Windows\Resources\Themes" folder. For the default Luna theme there should be a folder called "Luna" (with a flder called "shell" and a file called "luna.msstyles" inside of it) and a file called "luna.theme" in it.You should also see the "Windows Classic.theme" file in there. If those files aren't there, I don't know what to suggest.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

<< ack. oh well, formatting is refreshing, like douche for geeks. >>

LOL, I always wondered why Commodore called it the Amiga

 

[btvillarin]

RalfHutter, if what you say about ensuring that the Themes service is on fixes the problem, I'll be sure to save it and add that tip. I hope aka1nas tries it out.

Hey aka1nas, maybe you should try getting a Seagate or something. That's really bad how you keep getting defective drives from even IBM 60GXPs...

 

[aka1nas]

Hehe, actually my OS hard drive is a Seagate Barracuda II. I haven't been using the 60GXPs for anything critical since the first 2 died. Its when the secondary drive dies that my OS BSODS and I lose the interface when it reboots. I tried the themes service, no dice. WTF canit be? This was on 2 seperate clean installs, so maybe its my computer? Shouldn't a 300 watt Antec PSU be enough for this?