Startup menu

[bluebaby]

I have Windows XP Home Edition

I turned on my computer this morning and all I got was a "startup menu" (not start menu). The screen started with this:
We apologize for the inconvience but windows did not start sucessfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.
Then I was given several options to try and correct. I kept trying "START WINDOWS NORMALLY" this would not work. I kept getting the "We apologize" screen.
I Tried "LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION"
nothing. Kept getting the "We apologioze" screen. Fianlly turned off computer and waited several minutes. Finally windows started..BUT..not all the fonts are "marlett" On my desk top, in my favorite places ...etc.
Does anyone know what happened?

I am pretty much a computer dummy. But I did not add any software or hardware to the computer. Not sure what to do at this point, I was going to try system restore to yesterday when everything was fine but I am afraid to try anything now that I at least finally got the computer up.

Here is the other problem. Everything in my start menu us also in this marlett font. So I have no idea what I am clicking on to, I did try to go into the control panel and change the font, but I can't read a thing.
UGH!!!!
Please help.
Karen

[bluebaby]

Can't find my SYSTEM RESTORE.
Everything is in MARLETT font.
Marlett is symbols not letters.

[bluebaby]

Ran Mcafee stinger. No virus'
Totally rebooted computer.
Still the same marlett font in everything.
Can someone with WINXP home edition perhaps walk me thru to the recovery system by discribing what the icon looks like and telling me what to click on from there? That is the only thing I can think of at this point. This font thing is a total mess.
Thanks
Karen

[Yogi_b]

have you tried changing the font in the display properties? i'm using pro but i think its pretty much the same.
right click on the desktop anywhere and go down to the bottom option and click on it then up comes the display properties.
try changing the theme firwst off. there is a drop down menu. just click on that and try to change your theme. the default XP theme is the 2nd one down.
if this doesn't work the try this
click on the 4th (fourth) tab at the top and you should get a window with a picture of some sample windows in it. it should have 3 drop down menus and 2 buttons (not counting OK, Cancel and Apply along the bottom) click the bottom button which is advanced. the text menu is the bottom dropdown menu on the left. you might not be able to select it. in that case you need to click on the drop down menu above it and play around until you can select on where you can change the font, i suggest going through them all from top to bottom. it may be time consuming but hopefully it should work.
Yogi

[vidster]

I will tell you the sequence, as it appears on my pc. Go to start/ go to all programs (with the red triangle at the side)/at the top of the list there will be approx 3 or 4 programs listed and then a line underneath/ The first program below the line is accessories/select this and then select system tools which is the 4th program down/system restore is at the bottom of this list.
When system restore opens i would click next (the left hand box) and then go back on the calendar to a date before the problem began.

Good luck, Keep us up to date on your progress!

[bluebaby]

Thanks for the steps!
But System restore will not work!

I restored my computer to last Saturday and I got this message when I was done.

RESTORATION INCOMPLETE
your computer cannot be restored to:
Saturday Nov 13, 2004
System Check Point


No changes have been made to your computer

To choose another restart date point.
Restart System Restore.

UGH!!! Oh my gosh what is going on?

I then did it again with another date (oct 16) and the same message came back.

I had to walk away from this computer it was making me nuts, now I am ready to try again.
Anyone have any suggestions?

[vidster]

Try running sfc /scannow from the Run box. Note the space after sfc. You will also need your xp disk.
This will replace any damaged files on your system.