I don't know how I did it.

I think there was a right click involved and maybe an 'active desktop' item maybe (whatever that is) but I've managed to put a blue bar behind the writing underneath each desktop icon instead of it 'blending it'

See pic

Wtf have I done; it's annoying

 

Right click on desktop> appearance tab> effects> make sure the top box says "fade effect" and while your there make sure the 2nd box down says "cleartype" (better smoother text) that should sort it, if it doesnt go into themes tab and select windows xp, this will then overide any changes from default(default is just text with no background colour)

EDIT, just realise this still may not work, so ill give you something else to check/try....
1. Right click on My computer
2. Click properties
3. Go to advanced tab.
4. Under Perfomance click Settings
Under Visual Effect
Use Adjust for Best Appearance and Apply.

Hopefully ive sorted it in one of the 3 suggestions?

 

Nope, nope & nope

Thanks for trying though!

 

what the hell? none of them worked, not even changing the theme back to win xp

Im stumped then mate bit drastic for such a small issue but you could try system restore, it wont make any worser than it already is

 

Would that delete any of my files?

And how to I do that

 

I must stress before saying this I haven't used a windows desktop for many a year (about 4...)

But if you right click your desktop, then get into the visual settings as stated above...

you get a long list of tick boxes ?

now, one of those tick boxes does change the settings and I can't remember which, but i think it's one of the bottom 4 from the list... best help i can be without booting a machien up

 

I've tried setting 'best appearance' and 'best performance'

The first one checks every box and the second one unchecked every box in that list.

Neither made a difference

 

I'm stumped as well to be honest, usually changing the theme in XP would resolve it, and I can't seem to find anything that turns this option on or off.

So, i would go with the system restore option, start -> all programs <programs> accessories -> system tools -> system restore.

Or,

Aquire a program called Style XP, and then download themes from www.themexp.org and that should get round it

 

Would never bother with style xp/windows blinds etc, there resource hogs so ive heard

Before you do the system restore make sure you know roughly when the icons were ok and pick the date on the calendar thing.

 

You can run style xp without using any resources

 

oh i beg your pardon then

 

System restore sorted it

Thanks guys

 

no problem chap