My son decided to update a theme on his computer running Vista - using this site http://www.guimods.com/tutorial-how-to-install-and-use-vista-themes-and-visual-styles/

He has done steps 1-13 but now when turning on the computer we get ERROR messages...

''dwn.exe UNABLE to locate component...This application has failed to start because UxThem.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem'' - if we click OK, then we get message

''explorer.exe - Unable to locate component...This application has failed to start because UxThem.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem''

Then a window comes up saying something like ''tying to fix problem'' - then another message comes up

''Microsoft Windows - Windows Explorer has stopped working.  A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will notify you if a solution is available'' then if you click on the 'close program' nothing else happens!

There is another message box earlier which says ''Windows calender has stopped working...''

What do we do? (there is some vital data on the hard disk which I must not lose!)  sounds like you didn't replace uxtheme.dll or themeui.dll.


Do you have a Windows DVD?We have the 'Maxdata' original Vista cd that comes with the system.

Also, cant start in SAFE mode, just get a black screen with 'safe mode' in the corner but cant do anything.

How do you do a Vista System Restore from the cd? Is this the way to GO? Quote from: KerryE on January 25, 2009, 08:19:47 AM

We have the 'Maxdata' original Vista cd that comes with the system.

Also, cant start in safe mode, just get a black screen with 'safe mode' in the corner but cant do anything.

How do you do a Vista System Restore from the cd? Is this the way to go?

If it's a retail Vista CD, you should be able to boot from it, and run a system repair.