Annoying WinXP Theme problem

[Maxxarcade]

I have a couple computers with fresh installs of XP Pro, and all service packs/updates. Both have this same annoying glitch...

Every time I change the theme, whether it be to Windows Classic or XP Green, the taskbar reverts to Blue almost every time I reboot. The color of the desktop background stays the same.

I've tried a couple registry tweaks, but still no luck. Any idea what could be going on? I never used to have this problem until recently.

[mockingbird]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

Your user profile is corrupt. Make a new user and see if it happens.

[Maxxarcade]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

Your user profile is corrupt. Make a new user and see if it happens.

So far that seems to have fixed it. Thanks!

[cookieCAM]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

Kinda Wierd.......I've Used XP For 5 Years Mostly Okay OS But I'd Pick 7 Over XP

[Maxxarcade]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

Kinda Wierd.......I've Used XP For 5 Years Mostly Okay OS But I'd Pick 7 Over XP

Ya, frankly I can't stand XP any more. Just so stale and has dwindling support. I use Win 7 on all my systems for the most part. Just these trash-find PC's that have XP.

[mockingbird]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

I don't know why people go crazy over 7. I just installed 7 Pro on a computer, it's the same thing as Vista basically, except for a few UI differences...

I still prefer the XP interface, but I realize that I'll have to go to Vista/7 soon to get the Direct3D/OpenGL browser enhancements.

[Maxxarcade]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

I don't know why people go crazy over 7. I just installed 7 Pro on a computer, it's the same thing as Vista basically, except for a few UI differences...

I still prefer the XP interface, but I realize that I'll have to go to Vista/7 soon to get the Direct3D/OpenGL browser enhancements.

The appearance may be similar to Vista, but it's 10x faster. I like the ability to easily add icons to the task bar, instead of having to drag and drop from another location or manually add a shortcut. Networking also seems a bit better/faster.

XP is still very functional, just getting old IMO. It also can't be used with more than 3GB of RAM. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a high-end 64 bit system.

I used to like the classic gray Windows interface, but it's getting boring/stale to me. It's nice to be able to make a transparent task bar in any color and shade to match my desktop theme.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

I second the XP is getting old comment but my gripes are from a technical standpoint for example. I recently slipstreamed SP3 and burned a new XP install CD. So I wouldn't have to install 3 service packs manually after the OS setup.

The reason why I did this was because XP SP1 doesn't support hard drives over a certain size. The exact gigabyte cap escapes me at the moment maybe 120?

It resizes the partition to the max it can support pre SP2. Of course drive management in XP can't resize the drive to it's full capacity even after the service pack installs allow larger drive support. So I have to use a third party app like Partition Commander (Symantec discontinued my old favorite partition magic) to resize.

Then there's the PITA of manually installing all the drivers for your peripherals. The best one is transferring the drivers for internal nics I need to get a flash drive or burn a CD since I have no network capability. To make this even more entertaining if I don't have at least SP2 installed some USB flash drives won't get recognized.

The slipstreaming at least allows me to use flash drives for driver transfer and does away with the stupid drive size cap and eliminates manual partition resizing but getting XP in running condition is getting more tedious the older it gets.

Compare that to Windows 7 where it practically installs itself including almost all of my device drivers. From an ease of install standpoint it takes the cake.

The interface takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it the old XP interface seems very primitive by comparison. The XP "classic interface" dates back to Windows 95 so it's had a good run and I can understand why Microsoft wanted to redesign it.

[Ami Sapphire]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

The exact gigabyte cap escapes me at the moment maybe 120?

It's 137GB, for the record.

[Scenic]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

@ krankshaft: use nLite to integrate service packs, drivers (including chipset SATA drivers if needed), patches and other stuff into the XP CD.
you can even remove unnecessary windows components or automate the installation process, so you don't have to enter the key, select the region, do the network settings and all that crap during the installation

also, service pack are redundant. you don't need to install SP1 -> SP2 -> SP3, as SP3 contains all previous servicepacks / patches.

[seanc]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

I moved from using nLite and CDs to Windows Deployment Services.
I build an XP installation, do what I want with apps (hide IE), dump my drivers, utilities on the root of the C: drive, run Windows Updates, SLP activate for Dell/HP or leave it as normal and upload it to the WDS server.

Then I get a PC, PXE boot it, apply an image in ~12 minutes, transfer data and shove it out the door.

[Maxxarcade]

Re: Annoying WinXP Theme problem

Then there's the PITA of manually installing all the drivers for your peripherals. The best one is transferring the drivers for internal nics I need to get a flash drive or burn a CD since I have no network capability. To make this even more entertaining if I don't have at least SP2 installed some USB flash drives won't get recognized.


Compare that to Windows 7 where it practically installs itself including almost all of my device drivers. From an ease of install standpoint it takes the cake.

I've had to manually install LAN drivers on Win 7 when using late model hardware, but it's still faster and easier than XP. From install CD boot until I'm at the desktop is usually around 20 minutes or so. Once I have the LAN going it will take care of the rest. I also primarily use Gigabyte boards, which have decent install CD's.

I'll admit that I upgraded for the looks as well. No more Gray/Green/Blue/Silver taskbar that I get tired of looking at. And like I said earlier, >3GB of RAM in most modern PC's these days is a no go for XP.