ok, so heres my problem.

when i logged on to my account all the bars and stuff that are normally blue or such, had reverted back to grey for some reason. so i went to the appearence options, changed it to windows xp (or somehting along those lines) and then thats when it got WIERD.  what i MEAN by weird is that i can see very little.  the bar at the bottom only displays the windows insignia, and blackness. when i hit it, i get the icons, but none of the text, same for everything ELSE, i get icons but no text, only black boxes.  i even had to switch to a diffrent account to post this.

sooo, any suggestionsNeed...more...info...gasp  

Operating system / antivirus & antispyware protection / service packs installed / when did it start happening / did it ever work right / installed any new software?

Alan <>< :-)ya, as i reread that after i posted i figured i should add more info, but i coudlnt find an edit button.

operating system is XP ( i hope), hmm, my computer is PRETTY heavy on spyware and virus, we have Norton, Zonealarm, we sweep for virus about once a month.  i think we have more too, but i dont know the names of them.  and for the service packs, umm, how exactly would i find out.

it screwed up right after i hit apply, after i set it to WIndows XP, i hyave never had a problem with this computer before.  the last tiem i installed somehting was about half a year ago."...and for the service packs, umm, how exactly would i find out. "

Go into Control Panel / System.  It should tell you your service pack there.

Do a system restore to a point prior to the problem starting:

Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore / choose a restore point

Alan <><  

ok, thanks, but dod i have to do teh system restore on my account or can i do it on a diffrent one. it would be very hard for me to do it on mine cuz, well, i cant see anyhting

note: if there is a WAY to do it in the command window i can do that, for some reason i can see the command text.Do you have a real Windows CD if that is required?um, i dont undestand the question.
 i feel very newbiesh right about nowWhat don't you understand? Try to use complete sentences. Puncture and grammar are important.