I can't read my desktop

Hi Dys,
I am not sure what your problem is, but the following is a way to run system restore from the command prompt based on Microsoft instructions.

System Restore from the Command Prompt

Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt
1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315222 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP
2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.
3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449

Blimey!!! Hope someone can help fast, Dys.

(And bumping)

ok I managed to boot in safe mode and navigated to help support/restore (totally unreadable) I have the restore window open but can read none of it, I clicked on what appears to be the go on the restore but nothing happens.

I am on Diane's puter, on my puter I now have what appears to be calandar (unreadable) with 3 clicable buttons on the lower right side (also unreadable)

I believe I have the calandar set to last wed and should be able to proceed if I knew which of the three buttons to click at the bottom of the page

ok so I duplicated everything I did on my puter wth Dianes, getting up the same pages and based on the assumption that they are the same I selected the correct buttons visually from her puter to mine, mine seems to be currently running "restore"

system restore complete, rebooted, desktop stilll gibberish.

ok ran restore again going back a full week, I be in business now.

It sounds like you might have a font file that is corrupt. Or possibly all of them.

Right click desktop.
When you go to desktop properties can you read anything there as to which font is being used. You could try different fonts to see if one works.

You might want to try replacing the fonts files. (all of them might not replace because they in use by windows.)

In order to replace system fonts, you may have to do this from command prompt.

Then ignore my message.

Phew, Dys!

Good show!

This problem is caused when you try to display a character that is not included in that font set. Someone (or something) must have changed the system font to some odd truetype. All you need(ed) to do is (was) to go to the display properties and select a new system font.

Or put your glasses on dys that often helps

dadpad must die.

You can change the look of individual items if you select Windows Classic style in the Windows and buttons list on the Appearance tab of Display Properties. (Right-click an empty area of your desktop, then click Properties, and then click the Appearance tab). If you select a visual style other than Windows Classic, that style determines the appearance of your menus, fonts, icons, and other Window elements.

OK folks, perhaps you didn't read carefully (the problem is solved) the main problem was that I could not read anything, this includes the start menu and everything that goes after that, I could read nothing on the desktop, I could not change any condition because I could not read ANYTHING. what I did mange to do was simulate on Dianes puter and attempt to mimic by location on my puter.

I was simply clarifying what USAFHokie80 was saying for the benefit of anybody else that may have read that. ;-)

even if you couldn't read anything... i assume you could see the icons. that's all you need to change the font. :-D