When I start Windows XP on my laptop, INSTEAD of coming up in english, all the information appears in what seems to be "wingdings", not English.  All information on the desktop appears this way, including all toolbars.  Programs themselves display properly.  Is there a way,l short of reinstalling windows ( and probably losing EVERYTHING on the computer) of correcting this?rbeaty.....Hummmm is this something that has just started ? Did you have any viruses pay you a visit ? If your certain you have no viruses .........Have you tried using the last known good configuration ( restart and tap the F8 key repeatedly ) then select the last good configuration .

let us know how you make out

dl65  does this happen if the laptop is connected to the mains power  adapter??Yes it was connected to the AC power supply.  I did TRY to restart with the last good configuration - no good.  THANKS for the suggestion though"short of reinstalling windows ( and probably losing everything on the computer)"

You won't lose anything if you don't format. It will overwrite your Windows system files only. But back up just in case.