RE: System Fonts Have Changed to Symbols

From: coliboy (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 05/16/04


Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 11:31:03 -0700

I've had the same problem a few times in the past couple of months as , apparently have a couple of others who have posted to these pages, so far with no advice forthcoming.
 The only remedy I can get to work is to do a system restore to before the problem occurred, if you can work your way round the garbled text. Mind you anything you've saved on your system will probably be lost unless you saved it in your documents.
     
     ----- J Hines wrote: -----
     
     Hello,
     
     I have a Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop, P3 700mhz with 256 mb
     RAM and a 32 gb hard drive. When I bought the system, It
     came with ME, which I upgraded to XP Home a few months
     later.
     
     Up until now, the computer has worked flawlessly, until
     last night, when I ran a routine Defrag which freed a
     bunch of space (About 22 mb). It completed successfully,
     and there was nothing wrong with the computer, until I
     booted it up the next morning. All of the Windows system
     fonts have now been changed to Symbols and Characters
     (ASCII, I think).
     
     The computer runs fine, except that I cannot read
     anything, as it is all in code. When I load up webpages,
     the address is garbled, but the header information at the
     top of the window is correct, as is the content of the
     webpages. Word opens, but typing produces the same
     characters, and there are no recognized fonts in the font
     menu (or in the Fonts folder of Control Panel). Excel
     works OK, as doew Powerpoint, although the fonts are not
     normal, and I cannot change them at all.
     
     I had thought that this was maybe a virus, so I updated
     my McAfee VirusScan 8 definitions, and downloaded the
     latest Stinger application, and ran a check. Both came up
     empty. I contacted McAfee, to report this as a potential
     new virus, and they advised that it probably wasn't, and
     that I should reinstall Windows.
     
     I then tried to reinstall Windows, with a number of
     problems. First, my copy is an upgrade disc, and when I
     insert it, the Autoplay screen comes up, with only the
     option to Install Windows (no repair or reinstall). When
     I select it, it tales me to a new screen with a drop-down
     box with two options, and some writing underneath. All of
     this is in the code, so I don;t know what it exactly
     means, although trying to decipher it, I came up
     with "Upgrade (REcommended)" and "New Install" as the two
     options.
     
     No matter which I choose, it takes me to the screen to
     input my CD Key, which is back in Canada, as I am
     travelling on Buisness in Central America.
     
     Is there some way to fix this problem, bearing in mind
     that I cannot read the menus or or folder options due to
     the font change, and if so, without reinstalling windows?
     
     Please help me as this problem is very frustrating!!
     
     Sincerely,
     Justin
     
     P.S. I have applied all the Serivce Packs and updates
     except the most recent Critical Update (Security update),
     and the Media Player 9 most recent update.
     



Relevant Pages

  • System Fonts Have Changed to Symbols
    ... to a site for virus help, I get a message that says this ... >fonts have now been changed to Symbols and Characters ... >menu (or in the Fonts folder of Control Panel). ... >that I should reinstall Windows. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • System Fonts Have Changed to Symbols
    ... fonts have now been changed to Symbols and Characters ... that I should reinstall Windows. ... First, my copy is an upgrade disc, and when I ... option to Install Windows. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: How do you re-install WinXP fonts?
    ... >I have just bought a new computer and XP was already installed on it. ... >"really wanted to replace" the XP fonts! ... >seem a bit odd and below par, and so I suspect that Win95 fonts don't ... I would reinstall Windows XP as described here: ...
    (comp.windows.misc)
  • RE: Can I find the product code anywhere?
    ... My recommendation is to get AVG or other good frre anti virus application ... This should cleanse your system and take a few hours less than a fresh ... If you are going to reinstall Windows, make sure that you boot off the CD ... > the product code on the machine or in the registry so that I can reinstall?? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • LOST FONTS
    ... figure out if it was a virus or a bug. ... strange that I could find nothing about the missing fonts. ... You said it happened on more than one occasion. ...
    (microsoft.public.scripting.virus.discussion)