Windows Properties, where did it go?

[MikeMoss]

Hi

As long as I have been working on computers when I right clicked on the desktop I could access "Properties" and get to the setting for all the normal stuff, reselution, desktop, screen savers etc.

All of a sudden it has changed and when I click on Desktop and then Properties, I get a window labeled Desktop Properties but the only thing I can select is the Theme.

Does anyone know how to get it back to normal?

Thanks for the help.

Mike

 

[linney]

Do you see the same result from Safe Mode, or from Normal Mode but as a different user?

Have any third party theme type programs been installed?

Are there any settings applied via Group Policy/ User Configuration/ Administrative Templates, in Desktop, Display, or around that area?

Have a look at this program, it can be used to fix Context Menu problems.

ShellExView v1.18 - Shell Extensions Manager

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

I suppose malware is a possibility?

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido" now called "AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5"

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

 

[MikeMoss]

Thanks Linney I'll check this stuff out.

Until recently I had another profile on my computer, one that didn't start as many things at startup that I used for playing games.

I removed it a week or so ago once I got my computer running better, (see my other post).

I didn't think of this before but this problem may have started at the time I removed that profile.

As far as adware and spyware my computer is really clean.

Mike

 

[linney]

Removing things like Norton or McAfee shouldn't under normal circumstances take parts of the operating system out with them. Same can be said for deleting a user account if done correctly via the Users Control Panel applet.

If the above suggestions don't work then a full repair may be necessary.

Repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files and programs will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp