XP desktop icons highlighted

I recently used the Windows XP Tweaking Toolbox. After my first use of it my desktop icons have been highlighted and I cannot seem to get this undone. I have tried sytem restore to where Tweaking Toolbox was first used, tried to select the "Use Drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" and tried to unlock web items on desktop. Nothing seems to work. Can anyone please help me? My once pretty desktop looks pretty annoying now.

 

all XP desktop icons highlighted

I have the same problem. But I did not use the Tweaking Toolbox. It just happened out of the blue...

 

First thing I'd try is start~run~sfc /scannow (and note the space after sfc).

 

Thanks

Thanks very much for the replies! I had to do a System Restore before it finally went back to normal. I thought Tweaking Toolbox was supposed to be a great product but now I am doubtful, there were several things that popped up after it was installed.
Does anyone know a good source to give precise directions on how to totally uninstall everything on the computer and reinstall it without problems? Thanks again, Happy Trails.

 

Received via email from DSlonghorns, Dear Newt,
Thanks so much for the reply but I am leary of any computer move without a description.. Would you mind telling me what exactly this does? start run sfc~ /scannow

I don't blame you a bit. Better to ask.

SFC = System File Checker. Utility that scans your system files and a few other files for any that are missing or bad. If it finds problems it will ask you for the install CD (or I386 if you have that on your hard drive) and will replace any damaged or missing system files. XP, along with 2K from SP3 onward, are smart enough to understand patched files so a system file with a date later than your install CD or SP will not be replaced just because it is new.

As to your other question, Does anyone know a good source to give precise directions on how to totally uninstall everything on the computer and reinstall it without problems? you are pretty much looking at making safety copies of all your personal files (pictures, documents, email, address book, etc.) to another media and doing a format then reinstall of the OS followed by all the updates (service pack if it isn't on the CD and post SP hot fixes) followed by reinstalls of all your software. Pretty drastic but all it requires is time and it will certainly give you a clean system.

 

First, do all your back ups. I like to burn cds, other people prefer other hard drives, internal or external, and there are other ways, too, if you have a network, for example.

Do not "uninstall" anything. Simply insert your XP Disk... Clean Install tutorial here.

HTH
Johanna