Startbar always Classic Style, won't change to XP!?!?!

All of a sudden my startbar is Classic Style and won't change back.
Even if I select Windows XP, the Theme changes, so all windows are XP-Style, but the startbar remains Classic.

I tried to install some new themes and replaced the uxtheme.dll, cause I thought maybe I'll get it back this way.
Strangly, all themes work just fine, but the startbar remains Classic-Style.

Any way, I could fix this!? I couldn't do a System Restore, because the feature was turned off, but is now turned on.

Thanks!

 

Check that the Themes service is running.

Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.

Check in the list of services for 'Themes' and double click it.

 

Thanks, I did that, service says now "started".
I can change Themes, but startbar remains in "Classic Style"
Damm!

 

change it to autmatic start and reboot.

Then goto Start -> Settings -> COntrol Panel -> System

Select the 'Advanced' Tab

Click 'Settings' in the performance group box (top)

Select Adjust for best appearence and apply

(If your computer cannot cope with all the visual effects select sutom and just select the bottom 3 as these will give you a full xp style without the menu effects etc.)

 

OK, thank you very much again!

It still doesn't work, I can change the Theme and it changes, but just the startbar remains in Classic Style.

I don't wanna waste too much of your time, maybe I just leave it Classic, at least eveything else works just fine.

 

we are here to help lol

Have you installed and theme programs such as stardock ?

 

No, first I manually replace the uxtheme.dll, then I tried the Multi-patcher 5.0 and the Neowin 4.0.
Both worked just fine.........but the Start-bar! Damm!

 

See this thread, post #4:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=780225

 

I did all the steps, even the one with the registry, my startbar still remains classic, even though everything else is blue XP-Style.
Oh well, it's just optical....
Thanks a lot for all the help so far!
If anybody has a final suggestion...of course, shoot....

EDIT: One strange thing, I have "Windows" and "Windows2", the HD is not partitioned and I did the^^^ 4 steps with both Windows Folders.

 

right click on an empty space on the taskbar, and click properties...when the taskbar and start menu properties window comes up click the start menu tab and choose "start menu". (the other option is classic, which is what you want changed.)