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General discussion

some program windows look like safe mode

Nov 18, 2003 9:21PM PST

on some programs that i run, they appear as if they are running in safe mode (big fonts, ugly windows, not in proportion). This also happens occasionally with some windows on the internet explorer (most often, those that lead to a download link). ANy ideas of how i may have tweaked something to make this happen. It's difficult, because in some programs, i can not see buttons that i know exist...and i can't tab over!

thanks
e

Discussion is locked

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(NT) Use system restore to before your changes.
Nov 18, 2003 9:32PM PST

.

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Re:(NT) Use system restore to before your changes.
Nov 18, 2003 9:33PM PST

sounds good, but i am not sure what changes to make in order to correct this problem...it has been ongoing for months.

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Months?
Nov 18, 2003 9:52PM PST

You'll have to describe in detail what the issue is. If you set the video to 640x480, tell about it. Sometimes I find it useful to boot to SAFE MODE, set the video display size there and see if that clears it up.

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you fix this months ago? i.e. use System Restore immediately to go back to what worked.

Bob

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Re:Months?
Nov 18, 2003 10:11PM PST

good question why i didn't work this out earlier...wish i had. i should also clarify that the problem pesists with small applications...not with office, etc.

For an example, i will describe what happens when i use a smaller application like the dbpower AMP music converter tool. In the past, after i right clicked the file i wanted to work with, the program would open in its own window. Now when that program opens, it looks disfigured: some graphics are laid over text, etc...I can not see where to click, nor can i read everything. The same occurs with some web pages...the problem however is purely in the display...the programs/web pages still work

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Specific applications?
Nov 18, 2003 10:17PM PST

That may be the clue. I would be listing each one, seeing if the version is for XP use and considering if I can uninstall it, then use a tool like Regcleaner from JV16 (look at the last free version of powertools at http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/) to remove the registry entries for said program, then try an install of their latest offering.

Bob

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It probably has to do with Windows Explorer which is linked to I.E....
Nov 18, 2003 10:24PM PST

these two are interlinked and the fix for one often works for the other.

If you are sure your monitor resolution is set properly and your Video drivers are updated to the latest drivers from the manufacturer's web site you can try the following fix to see if it works:

1. Quit all programs that are running.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type: regsvr32 urlmon.dll,
4. Click OK.
When you receive the 'DllRegisterServer in urlmon.dll succeeded' message, click OK.

Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each of the following files (in step 3, replace Urlmon.dll with each of the file names below):
Shdocvw.dll
Msjava.dll
Actxprxy.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Mshtml.dll
Browseui.dll
Shell32.dll (Windows XP and Windows 2000 only)

Don't forget to leave a space between 'regsvr32' and the .dll,
and don't forget to click OK

Repair I.E.6 & O.E.6:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318378


Let us know if it works.