HELP! Missing Themes option

[MDniteStryKR]

I've got this really weird problem..the Theme and Appearance tabs under display options on my laptop are missing..i'm really puzzled cuz it just happened out of the blue..i usually change my color scheme every week and recently when i wanted to do so the option wasn't even there! i didnt install anything new or change any settings recently so i'm pretty lost..i can't use any theme files either..i'd really appreciate it if anyone could help me on this. thanks!

[MDniteStryKR]

i think i accidentally uninstalled 'themes'..now i can't figure how to reinstall it..i couldn't find it in my xp reinstallation cd :-(

[G-man]

You uninstalled "themes" ... can you go back before you did that and undo it?

[billy.hunt]

re-install Windows and that should sort it out for you.
Hope that helps, if you need any more advice just ask.

[jeaniesing]

:confused: how about some advice on how not to lose all your files while doing that? ;)

[billy.hunt]

:confused: how about some advice on how not to lose all your files while doing that? ;)

Seeing as he/she has XP then they can use the repair option and won't loose any files or back them up before the clean re-install. :smart:

[MDniteStryKR]

alrighty i shall try that..i've got too many precious files to lose..still i need to back em up just in case something goes wrong..thanks a lot guys! :-)

[billy.hunt]

Here is a link to guide you through the repair, like i said this option just repairs your windows files and doesn't delete your own files.
Some educational reading on here for jeaniesing aswell who hasn't obviously heard of the repair feature in XP and has a limited amount of technical pc knowledge.

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_my_windows_xp_in.htm

[MDniteStryKR]

well thanks..but i tried to repair it and when i clicked on the install windows option it says i'm using a newer version of windows so the repair option doesn't come up..my installation cd is service pack 1a..but i've downloaded the sp2 via windows update.

is there any other way :confused:?

[CyberCat]

Hey MD! I think I know how to fix your problem, without reinstalling!

1. Click Start -> Run...
2. Type "notepad C:\themes.reg" (click OK)
3. Notepad will open and should say that themes.reg doesn't exist. Click OK to have notepad create it.
4. Copy & Paste the following code into the notepad window: (note that that should say "CurrentVersion" rather than "Curre ntVersion", MB error)Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoThemesTab"=dword:000000005. Goto File -> Save in notepad.
6. Goto Start -> Run...
7. Type "C:\themes.reg" (click OK)
8. A dialog will ask if you wish to add the information is C:\themes.reg to the registry (click YES)
9. The information should have been added to the registry.

Hopefully that solves the problem! :) (note that if it doesn't work, try logging off (don't switch users!) and back on again. If that doesn't work restart the computer)

[MDniteStryKR]

thanks CC! i'll try that and let u know :-)