Windows 2000 expert needed (serious request)

[gords]

Anyone on here a Windows Server 2000 operating system expert? I have a problem which I cannot resolve and could do with some help! [-o<

As can be seen below, the font/spacing/something is wrong and the info is going off the side/bottom of the window.

[Thrasher]

Is the DPI set right? This can cause that....

[gords]

yes ... 96dpi

[EvilEd]

Check the font size in control panel\display\appearance (tab) as well

[gords]

I should add - many months ago, (nearly?) all fonts were deleted from the system during an upgrade to add extra fonts. All the fonts were replaced but this was the result!

[Thrasher]

Things that can also mess it up :

What EvilEd said ^
Incorrect video card drivers
Bill Gates
The Cat
Some random act of vengeance by a bored 11 year old...

Oh - NOW you tell us!

It's obviously requiring some font that is missing - in order to render correctly. You can either overlay it with 2000, or find out what fonts you are missing by comparing with another 2000 machine.

[EvilEd]

I should add - many months ago, (nearly?) all fonts were deleted from the system during an upgrade to add extra fonts. All the fonts were replaced but this was the result!

Back in appearance
Advanced (Button)
Change "Item" to "Message box"
Change font to something smaller, mine is tahoma - 8pt
you should see the effect on the example immediately

[gords]

I have already gone through all the options in Appearance and compared them to another machine.

I have just removed the graphics card drivers and reverted to the Windows default driver - no change!

[EvilEd]

Looks like a backup of data and see if your restore points go back that far... failing that, then create a recovery disk and do a "Repair" on the windows install.... just be prepared for lots of windows updates and to re-install any apps if they need it.

I would try changing all those to different fonts to see if you've got a "Different" tahoma or similar....

[gords]

Looks like a backup of data and see if your restore points go back that far... failing that, then create a recovery disk and do a "Repair" on the windows install.... just be prepared for lots of windows updates and to re-install any apps if they need it.

I would try changing all those to different fonts to see if you've got a "Different" tahoma or similar....

That's what I'm desperately trying to avoid :roll:

The "standard" Windows dialog boxes are fine (such as the one Thrasher posted). It's the "3rd party" ones that go wrong!?

It seems to like there's either something set wrong in the registry or a file is corrupt ... I just can't find what/where! I've been Google-ing for hours :(

[TechnoTurkey]

Is it just the printer properties window that is doing it?  If so and you are only using the drivers that are native to the OS I would advise downloading the latest available from HP.

Otherwise, if it is doing it in all windows it could well be that the api is corrupt somehow, reinstalling the video drivers might just kick it back into life.

[gords]

Is it just the printer properties window that is doing it?  If so and you are only using the drivers that are native to the OS I would advise downloading the latest available from HP.

Otherwise, if it is doing it in all windows it could well be that the api is corrupt somehow, reinstalling the video drivers might just kick it back into life.

No, it's any application that shows a dialog box (non-sizeable window). All the standard Windows ones appear OK.

I have just uninstalled and reinstalled the graphics drivers.

[ian_s]

i'd try copying all the fonts from another PC

[gords]

i'd try copying all the fonts from another PC

Unfortunately, you can't just copy fonts - they have to be installed and you can't install one version over the top of another. Of course, you can't uninstall a font if it's in use - which for the default font it most certainly will be :roll:  DOS mode here we come...

[drmike]

What other software was installed apart from the OS and Office?

I'd say it was stunningly improbable but another application might possibly be able to stuff up the way fixed size dialogue boxes are instantiated.

Any 16 bit softwarte installed?

Any (cough) games installed - I'd say 2000 isn't really a gaming platform.

I can't see it being the fonts.

I can't recall but does 2000 have the ability to self heal insofar as anything like that works?

My money is on some installed software screwing it up.

Mike

[gords]

What other software was installed apart from the OS and Office?

Lots - it's our development web server, database server, etc.

It's looking like a re-install, as it's starting to misbehave in other ways  Actually, it's due for retirement but I need it for a couple of weeks more for some testing I need to do... :roll:

Blooming computers  :roll:  

[drmike]

Out of interest which database server? I've not found SQL server to do anything odd.

[gords]

Out of interest which database server? I've not found SQL server to do anything odd.

It's MySQL on that server - I'm fairly sure it's not due to a software install, rather some problem caused by deleting/installing fonts which included the system ones when it shouldn't have done!

Anyway, if I can get the thing to sit steady and stable for a week or two, it's job will be done and it will be rebuilt [fingers-crossed-helmie]!

[drmike]

You may well be right but I can't see it being the fonts. It's pretty innocuous stuff installing fonts and you have tried others to no avail.

I think it's some older software replacing a system DLL without being polite. As I recall 2000 doesn't prevent this as efficiently as XP but as you say if it can hold on for two weeks (you really should have told it 3 weeks you know) then you're home!

You do know you can install a second copy of 20000 on the same machine. I did this with NT and it's something like, install original version, install second version, boot into DOS or something then rename the original busted version folder from WINNT to NOTNT or whatever and rename the working NT folder as WINNT.

Then boot into oiriginal version and you've got a working NT. It's something like that - I had to do it once and it worked just fine.

It's possible you could XCOPY the working 2000 into the busted 2000 and so replace any broken files?

Mike