somehow missing a built-in Windows Start Menu option

I was dubbing around with various Windowblinds skins to change the look of my taskbar and Start Menu. For some reason the look of my Start Menu doesn't change at all to match the taskbar. I asked around at the Stardock forums, and someone said that I need to change to the default Windows XP View/Theme (I'm currently using the Classic View).

What's really wierd is that I'm missing the Windows XP theme. When I go to the Start Menu properties, I only have the Classic View option. The other one isn't there. I tried unloading all Stardock apps and restarting, but that didn't work. I'm using XP Home SP2 on a laptop, and I'm sure Home is supposed to have the XP theme included (although I can't remember whether I changed to Classic view or not). The "Appearance and Themes" pulldown menu doesn't have the "Windows XP Theme", either, and using other programs like ObjectBar and SkinStudio doesn't help.

What happened? Is there a place I can download the Windows XP theme and get my Start Menu option back? Or is there some hidden setting that triggers the "Start Menu" (as opposed to "Classic Start Menu") that's missing?
I'm not going to use a Windowblinds or a skin that requires another program because that would defeat the purpose of trying to use the Windowblinds skin and also change the Start Menu from the built-in view.

 

Go to the link below. Scroll down to line #187 on the right-hand side, Restore Luna Theme .

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Steve

 

Ok cool, I've got the Luna theme working, but the Start Menu is still stuck as Classic (still no non-classic "Start Menu" option). So now I'm halfway there.
Thanks for the restoration help!

 

Try #187 on the left-hand side, Restore Themes Functionality. It's a REG file.

Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt.

Steve

 

That's what I did, and I restarted. The theme works, but not the Start Menu radio button option.

I think you mean to refer to two different regs, but you said the same number. The "Restore Themes" is the one I tried, since the theme now works (I realized I had disabled the Themes service, so I turned that on and browsed to the Luna directory).

 

No, I was talking about the same one #187. Is it ok now?

If not, try #117 on left-hand side. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Steve

 

Ack! Still no option or change even after restarting.

 

Try one more, #271 left-hand side. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Steve

 

Actually, I found it. #167 - Force Classic Start Menu (Undo)

Apparently I had a forced Classic Start Menu, and using the Undo reg fixed it. Woohoooo!!

Thanks for pointing out that site, I'm sure I'll be referring to it again.

 

I was getting to that one. just kidding.

Good job.

Steve