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Help, I can't see any dialog boxs(black background)

Some how while changing themes I must have deleted the xp theme. Now my screen is black, all I can see are icons and web pages. I can't install another theme because I can't see the display dialog box. I'm guessing blind, I have been abel to connect to the internet and change wallpaper by bumping around in the dark. How do I get color backgrond back so I can see black letters? Any ideas will be appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

rwlea
Newbie Poster
3 posts since Oct 2004
Reputation Points: 10
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Reboot to SAFE mode to delete files
How to start computer in safe mode
You should be able to reset them back in safe mode

caperjack
I hate 20 Questions
Team Colleague
13,069 posts since Aug 2003
Reputation Points: 1,064
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Same problem in safe mode. Black screen, I get a beep and some kind of a warning( yellow triangle with ! ) but I can't read it.

rwlea
Newbie Poster
3 posts since Oct 2004
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

WARNING: I'm working from a Windows Me O/S and the settings in Windows XP may be slightly different. You can try them, or perhaps one of the forum members with XP will do this using Windows XP. Working from the keyboard only (since you are blind now):
1- Hit the WINDOWS key on your keyboard. (Second from the left, bottom row on my keyboard) This will open the START menu as if you had clicked on START with your mouse.
2- Hit the UP arrow 6 times (Selects SETTINGS)
3- ENTER (Opens SETTINGS)
4- ENTER (Selects and opens CONTROL PANEL)
5- CTRL-HOME (Puts the cursor on the top of the list)
6- DOWN arrow 5 times (Moves the cursor to DESKTOP THEMES)
7- ENTER (Puts cursor to CURRENT WINDOWS SETTINGS)
8- DOWN arrow 3 times (Moves cursor off of CURRENT WINDOWS THEMES and down the list 2 places)
9- ENTER (To select a different desktop theme what ever it may be on your list)
10- ENTER (To make the change)

If all went well, you will now be in a different theme and should be able to navigate by sight now.

Rueful Rogue
Posting Whiz in Training
218 posts since Nov 2004
Reputation Points: 16
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That won't work in xp unless the start menu was set to classic view!

caperjack
I hate 20 Questions
Team Colleague
13,069 posts since Aug 2003
Reputation Points: 1,064
Solved Threads: 812
 

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I got it fixed,not very technical though.I had a friend with XP print out the display/apperance window,that gave me some idea where to position the cursor on the screen. Clicked on Windows and buttons, then apply, now I can see again. Once again Thanks.

rwlea
Newbie Poster
3 posts since Oct 2004
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
 

This article has been dead for over three months

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