This problem may occur if the following file is corrupted or missing:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shellstyle.dll
* Obtain a copy of the shellstyle.dll file from another Windows XP SP1 computer (Professional or Home Edition), and then copy the file to the following location on the affected computer:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\
Tip To open the C:\WINDOWS\system32\ folder, click Start, click Run, type %windir%\system32 in the Open box, and then click OK.
* If the following file is found in the system32 folder, you can rename the file to Shellstyle.dll:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\class_ss.dll
To do this, right-click the Class_ss.dll file, click Rename, and then type:
Shellstyle.dll
* If any of the following files are on the computer, copy the file to the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder:
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Shell\NormalColor\Shellstyle.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Shell\Homestead\Shellstyle.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Shell\Metalic\Shellstyle.dll
Note When you use this method, the appearance of some windows (such as the Add or Remove Programs or Set Programs and Defaults windows) may be affected by the Luna theme. For example, the colors may be different from what they were before the problem occurred. Therefore, you may prefer to use one of the previous methods to resolve this problem.
When you install Windows XP SP1, the following files are renamed to Shellstyle.dll:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Class_ss.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Shell\NormalColor\Blue_ss.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Homestead\Home_ss.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Luna\Shell\Metalic\Metal_ss.dll
If these files are still present, you can rename the files to Shellstyle.dll and then copy one of the files to the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder.
