Disabled Windows Styles?

My friend decided to change the desktop background on her computer. She changed it but somehow changed another setting and believe she disabled some styles.
I am a web developer and understand CSS, and her whole computer looks as if she to disabled some through Windows.
Changing the background color, shows it's changed in the display window, but is just white on the desktop. Link colors are default blue, purple, fonts are all default, etc.
I have tried resetting displays all back to default windows XP and nothing changes. Even the internet has these styles disabled!
I reinstalled drivers for the integrated video card, and still nothing. Even tried a system restore and it did not change.
Anyone heard of anything like this? I have no clue what she did and am getting frustrated. I posted something earlier on a Microsoft newsgroup and no response.
Any help will be MUCH appreciated!
Thanks

 

Hi iamface,

Just ran across an old problem where desktop will turn white if one is using the setting that allows desktop to be used as web page and this has been botched somehow. To check for or disable this to see if this may be the problem:

*Right click on your desktop and select 'Properties'.
*Select the 'desktop' tab
*Then the 'Customize desktop' button.
*Click on the 'Web' tab and remove the checkmark from the the 'Lock Desktop Items' box.
*Now 'DELETE' any web pages listed here.
*Click apply/ok Exit Display properties.

You may have to reset your desktop to use windows xp theme.