Missing Display Properties Tabs

[GX1_Man]

Does this help?

http://www.ss64.com/ntsyntax/xp_reghacks.txt

[gorgon]

Does this help?

http://www.ss64.com/ntsyntax/xp_reghacks.txt

I looked this list of registry hacks over and the only ones that seem to apply to me are the following:
; - - - Section 3 - - - - Policy settings  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
;

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]

; Don't hide any of the following options (normally under Control Panel, Desktop)
"NoDispAppearancePage"=dword:00000000
"NoColorChoice"=dword:00000000
"NoSizeChoice"=dword:00000000
"NoDispBackgroundPage"=dword:00000000
"NoDispScrSavPage"=dword:00000000
"NoDispCPL"=dword:00000000
"NoVisualStyleChoice"=dword:00000000
"NoDispSettingsPage"=dword:00000000
"NoDispScrSavPage"=dword:00000000
"NoVisualStyleChoice"=dword:00000000
"NoSizeChoice"=dword:00000000
"SetVisualStyle"=-
There are a couple duplicates in there (NoSizeChoice, NoVisualStyleChoice, ect...) and they all seem to be set to zero anyway. They're the same as what's currently in my own registry, so I don't know how else to apply them.

[Fed]

I think I'd delete the entries other than the highlighted default.

[highlight](Default)                          REG_SZ             (value not set) [/highlight]
NoColorChoice                 REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispAppearancePage     REG_DWORD      0x00000000 (0)
NoDispBackgroundPage     REG_DWORD      0x00000000 (0)
NoDispCPL                       REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispScrSavPage           REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispSettingsPage          REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoSizeChoice                   REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoVisualStyleChoice          REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)

See what happens after a re-boot then.
Backup first.

[gorgon]

I think I'd delete the entries other than the highlighted default.

[highlight](Default)                          REG_SZ             (value not set) [/highlight]
NoColorChoice                 REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispAppearancePage     REG_DWORD      0x00000000 (0)
NoDispBackgroundPage     REG_DWORD      0x00000000 (0)
NoDispCPL                       REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispScrSavPage           REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoDispSettingsPage          REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoSizeChoice                   REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)
NoVisualStyleChoice          REG_DWORD       0x00000000 (0)

See what happens after a re-boot then.
Backup first.

Ok, I backed up first, then deleted everything except:
(Default)                          REG_SZ             (value not set)

Then I rebooted. Still no luck. No tabs.

I have since restored what I deleted.

I think the fact that I can't figure out how to restore the tabs is now more important to me than actually having them back.  

[Fed]

Ir sure is becoming a mystery :-?
Something to do while everyone thinks about it

Online Virus Scan and Spyware Scan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

Highly recommended second Online Malware Scan
http://www.ewido.net/en/

[gorgon]

Ir sure is becoming a mystery :-?
Something to do while everyone thinks about it

Online Virus Scan and Spyware Scan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

Highly recommended second Online Malware Scan
http://www.ewido.net/en/

I tried them, after I used my copies of Ad Aware SE Personal and eTrust Pest Patrol. Want to guess what the result was?  

I did notice something by a fluke. I restarted the computer in Safe Mode and discovered that the tabs were available on the Display Properties box. When I rebooted into normal mode, they were gone again.

Maddening, isn't it?  

Aaaand... I noticed just now that my NVIDIA system tray icon is now missing.  :-?  I love you Windows XP  

[gorgon]

Aaaand... I noticed just now that my NVIDIA system tray icon is now missing.  :-?  I love you Windows XP  

Ok...ignore that last bit...I fixed the system tray icon issue.  

But the tabs are still missing  

[Fed]

If you can see the tabs in safe mode then perhaps you have a legit program or setting that is stopping you from accessing those tabs?
How about a Hijackthis log?
Are you logged in with Admin rights?

[gorgon]

If you can see the tabs in safe mode then perhaps you have a legit program or setting that is stopping you from accessing those tabs?
How about a Hijackthis log?
Are you logged in with Admin rights?

I am logged in with Admin rights. Here is a Hijackthis log:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 3:55:55 PM, on 1/18/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsftsn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/home.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RunDLL32.exe NvMCTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat - http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/chat/applet/c381/chat.cab
O16 - DPF: {205FF73B-CA67-11D5-99DD-444553540006} (CInstall Class) -
O16 - DPF: {31E68DE2-5548-4B23-88F0-C51E6A0F695E} (Microsoft PID Sniffer) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/odc.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmgr/1,0,0,26/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/web_games/popcap/bejeweled2/popcaploader_v6.cab
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Secu

[gorgon]

OK, and if this problem isn't aggravating enough, I was looking at the Display Properties dialog box today and just for fun I decided to click on the top of the window, where the tabs should be...
...and the box responded as if I had hit a tab.  :-? :-?

Then I tried clicking across the entire dialog box, but I wasn't getting any results. However if I tried clicking over and over in that small area I first hit, I was able to change the dialog box to correspond to the tabs for Themes, Background, Screen saver, Display, and Effects.

If I remember correctly, that's everything you could do from the Display Properties window. Since they were all accessible, this suggests that functionality is there but maybe it's the screen layout or the user interface that has the problem?  Is this a clue?

[Fed]

Strange happenings here.
Re-run Hijackthis & mark for removal
O16 - DPF: {205FF73B-CA67-11D5-99DD-444553540006} (CInstall Class) -
Re-boot & check.
Are your video drivers and directX up to date?

[gorgon]

Strange happenings here.
Re-run Hijackthis & mark for removal
O16 - DPF: {205FF73B-CA67-11D5-99DD-444553540006} (CInstall Class) -
Re-boot & check.
Are your video drivers and directX up to date?

Ok, I reran Hijackthis and removed the above, rebooted and checked. Still no tabs. DirectX is up to date, and I'm using the latest NVIDIA drivers.

BTW, what did I have Hijackthis remove?

[Fed]

The entry you removed was uneeded & potentially nasty.
Try completely disabling McAfee (probably from msconfig) and re-booting while not on the net and see if the tabs turn up.

[gorgon]

The entry you removed was uneeded & potentially nasty.
Try completely disabling McAfee (probably from msconfig) and re-booting while not on the net and see if the tabs turn up.

Ok, I disabled McAfee with MSConfig and unplugged the network cable and rebooted. And I hate to say it, but the tabs were still missing. No real surprise there [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

What might account for missing tabs, but functionality (provided you click on the right pixel at the top of the window)?

[Fed]

Some sort of video display glitch?
The tabs are there, just invisible tabs. :-?