XP looks like 2000 now!

[Todd33]

If you go to display properties and Appearance, there is no longer XP style, only Windows classic. Anyone know how this was lost and how to get it back? Thanks.

 

[Phoenix86]

Did you disable the theme services?

 

[KoolDrew]

Ya, Go to Start > Run and type "services.msc" and see if the themes service is disabled. IF it is start it up and set to automatic if you wish to have XP's look.

 

[Todd33]

It says Started and Automatic. Any other ideas?

 

[Phoenix86]

Have you messed around with any services?

Stop and start the service (net stop themes, net start themes), is it available now?

 

[stash]

Look in c:\windows\resources\themes. Do you have luna.theme and a luna subfolder?

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: STaSh
Look in c:\windows\resources\themes. Do you have luna.theme and a luna subfolder?

Yes. Is that good or bad?

 

[stash]

That's good, since that is the actual theme that isn't showing up in the dialog.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well if it i sstill there just go to themes and select browse and navigate to that folder.

-Kevin

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Well if it i sstill there just go to themes and select browse and navigate to that folder.

-Kevin

It told me theme service isn't running, but I checked again and it is. I've even retarted it. Something is screwed.

 

[KoolDrew]

You could try running System File Checker.

Go to Start->Run and type in "cmd" without quotations.

Insert your WindowsXP CD and hold the shift key to bypass the autorun.

In the command window, type in

sfc /scannow

Windows will scan your current system files and compare them to what they should have been fresh out of install.

Just be warned that if you've been keeping up to date with Windows Update, you'll have to reapply some Updates since SFC will overwrite some of the update files.

 

[caledai]

It may have been changed via the group policy.

Is this a domain pc (IE Managed by someone else) or have you been mucking around in gpedit.msc.
Because there is an option to force classic views. (Folder, Theme or even Startmenu.)

 

[robisc]

Try Control Panel - System - Advanced - Performance and click Settings -
In the Custom pane ensure you have 'Use Visual styles for Windows and
buttons' checked

If that isn't it or a service and the theme is actually hosed then try here.

Link

 

[Kelemvor]

I always set my Win XP systems to look like WIn2k. what's the problem?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Todd33

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Well if it i sstill there just go to themes and select browse and navigate to that folder.

-Kevin

It told me theme service isn't running, but I checked again and it is. I've even retarted it. Something is screwed.

See my post above, and answer the questions.

KoolDrew, that's not warranted yet. If it's a services issue, replacing the files isn't going to help, but it will cause a LOT of work by having to reinstall all the SPs and updates.

 

[Todd33]

The themes service is running and restarting it does nothing. Is there another service that can cause problems? I have never messed with services on this computer, it's a pretty clean install and gets light use.

 

[Phoenix86]

I don't think the themes service has any dependancies, would have to look it up to verify. Are there any errors in the event viewer when it gets stopped/started?

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
I don't think the themes service has any dependancies, would have to look it up to verify. Are there any errors in the event viewer when it gets stopped/started?

No errors. Selecting the theme manually does say the service isn't running. Weird.

 

[airfoil]

1. Right click on the desktop and select properties
2. Got to the Appearance TAB on the window that pops up
3. Make sure you have Windows XP style selected in the 'Windows & Buttons' drop down

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Todd33

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
I don't think the themes service has any dependancies, would have to look it up to verify. Are there any errors in the event viewer when it gets stopped/started?

No errors. Selecting the theme manually does say the service isn't running. Weird.

OK, well something is borked with the services, and w/o an error it's kinda a crap shoot how to fix it. How long ago did this change? Install any software around that time?

You options are kinda limited... You could: use system restore and find a point previous to the problem, perform a repair install+repatch, reapply SP2 (if it's a corrupt file and it's contained in the SP this may fix it), or live with W2k look and feel (gets rid of fisher price XP, but also does away with some advantages of themes service).

GL