problem with setting apperance

Now I know I asked this before but can't remember/find answer.
I am having trouble changing the appearance of my desktop with display
properties. I click on the item I want to change and it stops responding. I
have to "end task" to come out of it.
I remember when it happened before that I fixed it myself but this time I
just can't remember what I did to fix it. I don't want to format or anything
like that ... too much to lose ... just need an easy solution that I will
remember. I have already re-installed windows 98SE once this week ... didn't
help.
If I fix it again myself, I'll try and remember to post the fix or what I
did to fix it.

TiA
Anne

I don't know. Perhaps try an "IE Repair Tool", at "START, Run, MSInfo32,
Tools menu". Also...

Try a Windows Standard Scheme or Theme, although it won't "fix" every
possible thing the Item dropdown menu can muss...

To install Desktop Themes, if they are not already in the Control Panel
or in the START menu...
1. START, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows Setup
tab.
2. Check "Desktop Themes"; click "Details"; check the themes you want;
"OK" twice.
3. Perhaps, re-boot.

Some themes require "high color". To get "high color":
1. Right click the Desktop & select Properties
2. Click the "Settings" tab
3. Use the "Colors" dropdown menu to select "high color"
4. Be prepared. It may ask your permission to restart the computer.

I understand that's best; however, it can also be done at: "R-Clk
Desktop, Properties, Appearance tab, & select a different 'Scheme' in
the dropdown selector". This will also get the fonts, colors, et al,
right, across applications, without trying to micro-manage inside the
"Item" dropdown menu, which one may live to regret.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Anne" wrote in message
...
| Now I know I asked this before but can't remember/find answer.
| I am having trouble changing the appearance of my desktop with display
| properties. I click on the item I want to change and it stops
responding. I
| have to "end task" to come out of it.
| I remember when it happened before that I fixed it myself but this
time I
| just can't remember what I did to fix it. I don't want to format or
anything
| like that ... too much to lose ... just need an easy solution that I
will
| remember. I have already re-installed windows 98SE once this week ...
didn't
| help.
| If I fix it again myself, I'll try and remember to post the fix or
what I
| did to fix it.
|
| TiA
| Anne

hi PCR,
none of it worked, i'm sorry to say. It's actually in the display properties
-Appearance bit that goes freeze up on me. As soon as I click on the arrow
next to the icon and other choices on it ... the whole thing stops responding
and the only way to shut it down is to do Ctrl+Alt+Del and bring up the task
manager and click end task but doing that doesn't save what changes I make. I
never use themes, never have cos they use too much memory.
Anne

"PCR" wrote:

I don't know. Perhaps try an "IE Repair Tool", at "START, Run, MSInfo32,
Tools menu". Also...

Try a Windows Standard Scheme or Theme, although it won't "fix" every
possible thing the Item dropdown menu can muss...

To install Desktop Themes, if they are not already in the Control Panel
or in the START menu...
1. START, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows Setup
tab.
2. Check "Desktop Themes"; click "Details"; check the themes you want;
"OK" twice.
3. Perhaps, re-boot.

Some themes require "high color". To get "high color":
1. Right click the Desktop & select Properties
2. Click the "Settings" tab
3. Use the "Colors" dropdown menu to select "high color"
4. Be prepared. It may ask your permission to restart the computer.

I understand that's best; however, it can also be done at: "R-Clk
Desktop, Properties, Appearance tab, & select a different 'Scheme' in
the dropdown selector". This will also get the fonts, colors, et al,
right, across applications, without trying to micro-manage inside the
"Item" dropdown menu, which one may live to regret.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Anne" wrote in message
...
| Now I know I asked this before but can't remember/find answer.
| I am having trouble changing the appearance of my desktop with display
| properties. I click on the item I want to change and it stops
responding. I
| have to "end task" to come out of it.
| I remember when it happened before that I fixed it myself but this
time I
| just can't remember what I did to fix it. I don't want to format or
anything
| like that ... too much to lose ... just need an easy solution that I
will
| remember. I have already re-installed windows 98SE once this week ...
didn't
| help.
| If I fix it again myself, I'll try and remember to post the fix or
what I
| did to fix it.
|
| TiA
| Anne

Display Properties, I recall now, is a Control Panel item, called
"Desk.cpl". So...

(a) "START, Find, F/F, Desk.cpl".
(b) Click it in the Find box.

Does the Appearance tab still fail? If so...

Desk.cpl is old enough (in Win98SE) never to have been modified by an
update. So, extract a new copy with SFC.

(1) "START, Run, SFC"
(2) Bolt "Extract one file from installation disk"
(3) Enter "Desk.cpl" in the "Specify..." box.
(4) Click "Start".
(5) It should offer to "Save file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM".
If not, make it so.
(6) In "Restore from", if not already pre-filled, browse to
(a) Installation CD (likely the Win98 folder) or
(b) The folder that has your cabs on the hard drive, likely
"C:\WINDOWS\options\cabs\".
(7) Click "OK"

If it discovers the file already exists, it will offer to back it up.
May as well do so. If it discovers the file is "in use", it will request
that you reboot to complete the install.

Does it work now? If not...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...23&Product=w98
How to Troubleshoot Control Panel Issues in Windows
(299923) - When you attempt to open Control Panel (click Start , point
to Settings , and then click Control Panel ), it does not open as you
expect. One or more of the following may occur: You receive an error
message similar to the following: Program has...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;192806
How to Run Control Panel Tools by Typing a Command
(192806) - This article describes how to run Control Panel tools in
Windows by typing a command at a command prompt or in the Open box.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...48&Product=w98
Description of Control Panel (.cpl) Files


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Anne" wrote in message
...
| hi PCR,
| none of it worked, i'm sorry to say. It's actually in the display
properties
| -Appearance bit that goes freeze up on me. As soon as I click on the
arrow
| next to the icon and other choices on it ... the whole thing stops
responding
| and the only way to shut it down is to do Ctrl+Alt+Del and bring up
the task
| manager and click end task but doing that doesn't save what changes I
make. I
| never use themes, never have cos they use too much memory.
| Anne
|
| "PCR" wrote:
|
| I don't know. Perhaps try an "IE Repair Tool", at "START, Run,
MSInfo32,
| Tools menu". Also...
|
| Try a Windows Standard Scheme or Theme, although it won't "fix"
every
| possible thing the Item dropdown menu can muss...
|
| To install Desktop Themes, if they are not already in the Control
Panel
| or in the START menu...
| 1. START, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows
Setup
| tab.
| 2. Check "Desktop Themes"; click "Details"; check the themes you
want;
| "OK" twice.
| 3. Perhaps, re-boot.
|
| Some themes require "high color". To get "high color":
| 1. Right click the Desktop & select Properties
| 2. Click the "Settings" tab
| 3. Use the "Colors" dropdown menu to select "high color"
| 4. Be prepared. It may ask your permission to restart the
computer.
|
| I understand that's best; however, it can also be done at: "R-Clk
| Desktop, Properties, Appearance tab, & select a different 'Scheme'
in
| the dropdown selector". This will also get the fonts, colors, et al,
| right, across applications, without trying to micro-manage inside
the
| "Item" dropdown menu, which one may live to regret.
|
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|
| "Anne" wrote in message
| ...
| | Now I know I asked this before but can't remember/find answer.
| | I am having trouble changing the appearance of my desktop with
display
| | properties. I click on the item I want to change and it stops
| responding. I
| | have to "end task" to come out of it.
| | I remember when it happened before that I fixed it myself but this
| time I
| | just can't remember what I did to fix it. I don't want to format
or
| anything
| | like that ... too much to lose ... just need an easy solution that
I
| will
| | remember. I have already re-installed windows 98SE once this week
....
| didn't
| | help.
| | If I fix it again myself, I'll try and remember to post the fix or
| what I
| | did to fix it.
| |
| | TiA
| | Anne
|
|
|

I can get the appearances tab open ... it's when I click on any of the
choices ... ie:- font ... it lets me click on it to change the font but when
I click the OK or the Apply buttons ... well that is when it freezes; hangs;
locks up; what ever ...
I've got to do a defrag tomorrow (Sunday) morn and as I always use safe
mode, I will try changing things in that ... keep fingers crossed for me for
it working and if it does, then I will let you know and cut and paste a copy
for my records so that when it happens again, which knowing my luck it will
.... I will know what to do to get it fixed again.

Thanks for all your suggestions.
Anne

"PCR" wrote:

Display Properties, I recall now, is a Control Panel item, called
"Desk.cpl". So...

(a) "START, Find, F/F, Desk.cpl".
(b) Click it in the Find box.

Does the Appearance tab still fail? If so...

Desk.cpl is old enough (in Win98SE) never to have been modified by an
update. So, extract a new copy with SFC.

(1) "START, Run, SFC"
(2) Bolt "Extract one file from installation disk"
(3) Enter "Desk.cpl" in the "Specify..." box.
(4) Click "Start".
(5) It should offer to "Save file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM".
If not, make it so.
(6) In "Restore from", if not already pre-filled, browse to
(a) Installation CD (likely the Win98 folder) or
(b) The folder that has your cabs on the hard drive, likely
"C:\WINDOWS\options\cabs\".
(7) Click "OK"

If it discovers the file already exists, it will offer to back it up.
May as well do so. If it discovers the file is "in use", it will request
that you reboot to complete the install.

Does it work now? If not...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...23&Product=w98
How to Troubleshoot Control Panel Issues in Windows
(299923) - When you attempt to open Control Panel (click Start , point
to Settings , and then click Control Panel ), it does not open as you
expect. One or more of the following may occur: You receive an error
message similar to the following: Program has...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;192806
How to Run Control Panel Tools by Typing a Command
(192806) - This article describes how to run Control Panel tools in
Windows by typing a command at a command prompt or in the Open box.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...48&Product=w98
Description of Control Panel (.cpl) Files


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Anne" wrote in message
...
| hi PCR,
| none of it worked, i'm sorry to say. It's actually in the display
properties
| -Appearance bit that goes freeze up on me. As soon as I click on the
arrow
| next to the icon and other choices on it ... the whole thing stops
responding
| and the only way to shut it down is to do Ctrl+Alt+Del and bring up
the task
| manager and click end task but doing that doesn't save what changes I
make. I
| never use themes, never have cos they use too much memory.
| Anne
|
| "PCR" wrote:
|
| I don't know. Perhaps try an "IE Repair Tool", at "START, Run,
MSInfo32,
| Tools menu". Also...
|
| Try a Windows Standard Scheme or Theme, although it won't "fix"
every
| possible thing the Item dropdown menu can muss...
|
| To install Desktop Themes, if they are not already in the Control
Panel
| or in the START menu...
| 1. START, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows
Setup
| tab.
| 2. Check "Desktop Themes"; click "Details"; check the themes you
want;
| "OK" twice.
| 3. Perhaps, re-boot.
|
| Some themes require "high color". To get "high color":
| 1. Right click the Desktop & select Properties
| 2. Click the "Settings" tab
| 3. Use the "Colors" dropdown menu to select "high color"
| 4. Be prepared. It may ask your permission to restart the
computer.
|
| I understand that's best; however, it can also be done at: "R-Clk
| Desktop, Properties, Appearance tab, & select a different 'Scheme'
in
| the dropdown selector". This will also get the fonts, colors, et al,
| right, across applications, without trying to micro-manage inside
the
| "Item" dropdown menu, which one may live to regret.
|
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|
| "Anne" wrote in message
| ...
| | Now I know I asked this before but can't remember/find answer.
| | I am having trouble changing the appearance of my desktop with
display
| | properties. I click on the item I want to change and it stops
| responding. I
| | have to "end task" to come out of it.
| | I remember when it happened before that I fixed it myself but this
| time I
| | just can't remember what I did to fix it. I don't want to format
or
| anything
| | like that ... too much to lose ... just need an easy solution that
I
| will
| | remember. I have already re-installed windows 98SE once this week
....
| didn't
| | help.
| | If I fix it again myself, I'll try and remember to post the fix or
| what I
| | did to fix it.
| |
| | TiA
| | Anne
|
|
|

You are welcome. But did you do the Find, etc.? How about the SFC, etc.?
And there was still a problem? And don't forget to Scandisk before a
Defrag. If they constantly restart, CANCEL & post back. Well, never
mind, here...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q287914
Articles about Scandisk
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q286263
Articles about Defrag

I must warn that Scandisk may not do a great job when there is a
great one to do...
http://cquirke.mvps.org/9x/scandisk.htm
Therefore, perhaps UNcheck "Automatically fix errors" on it's front
screen. It will then ask whether you want each error fixed. If it sounds
truly horrible, say "No!", and post the log. The log will be
"C:\Scandisk.log". Do not let it constantly restart, either.

1. Turn off screen saver (R-Clk Desktop, Properties, Screen Saver--
None)
2. Turn off power management (Control Panel, Power Management-- Always
On,Never,Never,Never)
3. Disable any permanent internet cable connection, perhaps.
4. Suspend Task Scheduler
5. Turn off interfering programs. Use "StartupCop" or "EndItAll2" from
PCMag (below). Or "START, Run, MSConfig, Startup tab". Note what is
unchecked. Then, go to the General tab & disable the entire Startup
Group, by clicking "Selective.." & unchecking "Load Startup...". Reboot.
Don't forget to re-enable before the next boot.
6. Use "HDValet" from PCMag, or
(a) "Control Panel, Internet Options, Delete Files button, bolt Delete
all offline content, OK, OK"
(b) "START, Run, %TEMP%", & delete all files that will let you. This
will likely be "C:\Windows\Temp". This is best done after a fresh boot,
unless you have not seen the message "Reboot to complete this install".
7. Run Scandisk (Thorough, usually w/o write testing. Check all three
items under "Scandisk, Advanced button, 'Check files for' box". If you
want to be informed as it does a fix, UNcheck "Automatically fix errors"
on the front screen, or look inside "C:\Scandisk.log" afterwards.)
8. "START, Run, Defrag /p /details". Apparently, "/p" Defrags the
unmovables.

The purpose of steps 1-5 is only to prevent constant restarts of
Scandisk & Defrag, if you get them; but DEFINITELY turn off the Virus
Scanner. Scandisk should be done perhaps once a month, and certainly
after every serious crash. Do a Defrag after a sluggish boot or when
this says so:
http://www.pcmag.com/ 's CrackUp, by Gregory A. Wolking & Bob Flanders.
Also, take DiskAction, to determine what is constantly writing to the
HDD, which causes the restarts. Take BHOCop & StartupCop too.

"DiskAction" reports the last 12 processes that access any partition. It
discovered the MS Critical Update Notification Tool was accessing my
HDD every five minutes. It can be uninstalled in "Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs". Then, occasionally, "START, Windows Update" on
your own.

"BHOCop" found a Browser Helper Object called Wavehelper Class, created
by "Wavetop", that was building a monstrosity of an error log called
"Logit.txt" in here. "START, Find, F/F, Logit.txt"-- see one?

Now, my hard drive is quieter than my mouse. (Of course, I now also have
384 MB RAM, up from an initial 64, eliminating Swap File activity.)


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Anne" wrote in message
...
| I can get the appearances tab open ... it's when I click on any of the
| choices ... ie:- font ... it lets me click on it to change the font
but when
| I click the OK or the Apply buttons ... well that is when it freezes;
hangs;
| locks up; what ever ...
| I've got to do a defrag tomorrow (Sunday) morn and as I always use
safe
| mode, I will try changing things in that ... keep fingers crossed for
me for
| it working and if it does, then I will let you know and cut and paste
a copy
| for my records so that when it happens again, which knowing my luck it
will
| ... I will know what to do to get it fixed again.
|
| Thanks for all your suggestions.
| Anne
|
| "PCR" wrote:
|
| Display Properties, I recall now, is a Control Panel item, called
| "Desk.cpl". So...
....snip