strange fonts in programs

i had downloaded a new font and it wasnt showing up in any of my applications
so i used the microsoft help and support pages and found out i needed to
reboot into safe mode and type attrib +s +r fonts and then reboot normally, i
did that. it worked great, my fonts showed just as they should. However, i
now have a side effect problem. in some of my programs the original font has
been changed and i now have strange characters in place of the old font....so
far i have noticed this in MSN Messenger (the little arrow next to the drop
down options now looks like a 6 and the font is different in those drop down
boxes) also i like to play yahtzee and the high score list is all little
boxes instead of font. does anyone know how i can fix this and change it
back? thanks in advance.

This may be due to a corrupted system font - try this. (courtesy of Alan
Edwards)

quote
The first thing to establish is the number of fonts you have installed
(including variations) The limit can be reached normally around
700-1000 though I personally recommend no more than 250


I will give you a list of common font problems.


1. Default printer has been set to other than a valid printer.
Check that your default printer has not been set to "generic, text
only" as this will stop fonts from showing.


2. Fonts folder has lost its system properties.
This will be obvious if viewing the fonts folder. You will not have
the names and the "install new font" option under file.
If so:
Check the protection in properties on folder c:\Windows\fonts
if it is not shown with a check in system, then you cannot install new
fonts. It should also be protected, so you may not be able to alter
from explorer.
Restart in dos mode and use command
attrib +s c:\Windows\fonts
reboot and all should be ok


3. Font cache corrupted (less common)
delete c:\Windows\ttfcache and reboot. (Do not move it, only delete
it) It will be regenerated


4.Use tweakui from the PowerToys. It has a repair fonts option which
will also fix fonts folder in 2.


Tweak UI 1.33 for Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Millennium
Edition, Windows 98 or Windows 95.
Details at: (may wrap)
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati...oys/Networking...
Download at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsme/guide/tweakui.exe
TweakUI should fix the hidden desktop.ini if that is the problem.


5.Check that the value "fonts" in the registry at
"hkey_current_user\software\microsoft\windows\curr entversion\explorer\sh
ell
folders" has data "C:\Windows\fonts" (assuming %windir% is C:\Windows)


6.Fontext.Dll is missing or corrupted.
Win95:
From a dos prompt change to the windows\system directory and type:
Extract d:\Win95\win95\win95_10.Cab fontext.Dll
(if you have osr2, it will be in win95_16.Cab)
where d: Is the letter of your cd-rom.


Win98: Replace it using SFC (Start-Run-SFC)


7.Check this article on the use of the Fontreg tool:


Missing TrueType Fonts in Fonts Folder or Programs
http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q133/7/32.asp
/quote




--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"tj2g" wrote in message
...
i had downloaded a new font and it wasnt showing up in any of my
applications
so i used the microsoft help and support pages and found out i needed to
reboot into safe mode and type attrib +s +r fonts and then reboot
normally, i
did that. it worked great, my fonts showed just as they should. However,
i
now have a side effect problem. in some of my programs the original font
has
been changed and i now have strange characters in place of the old
font....so
far i have noticed this in MSN Messenger (the little arrow next to the
drop
down options now looks like a 6 and the font is different in those drop
down
boxes) also i like to play yahtzee and the high score list is all little
boxes instead of font. does anyone know how i can fix this and change it
back? thanks in advance.