Help with issue on Windows XP

[Enaudni]

Issue:  Theming does not work on taskbar. All other windows UI components get themed correctly.  The taskbar and startmenu remain in the classic style from windows 2000 and prior.
Constraint: A full wipe/restore is not an option
Steps taken to resolve:

1.) Spyware and virus sweep with: Hitman Pro2 and 3, BitDefender Free, Clamwin, Spybot, Malwarebytes, Avast, AVG, AdAware, and some cleaning via CCleaner.
2.) replaced copies of themes in  the resources folder in the windows directory with copies expanded from the original OS cd. Also replaced windows explorer.exe and uxtheme.dll
3.) Started a non destructive reinstall (repair option during the partitioning screen of XP setup) completed without issues.
4.) Verified that theme service was running. Also tried changing theme to classic, rebooting, then changing back to luna. No go. downloaded and installed new official copy of Royale theme (media center style). This works on everything but the taskbar too.
5.) tried  sfc /purgecache then sfc /scannow to make sure system files were intact but the scan completed successfully.
6.) Punched myself in the face a few times.
7.) Re-ran the non destructive reinstall option. Still no go.

I'm genuinely stumped. WTF is going on here?

[Caarrie]

I'm genuinely stumped. WTF is going on here?

all i can think of is the fact that you are running xp :O go back to linux mister and all will be right with the world

[Enaudni]

This is a clients computer. I still don't have a single computer that runs windows. I have windows xp, vista, and 7beta in virtualbox though

[Bamko]

"6.) Punched myself in the face a few times."

need to add step "6.1) Restart step 6."
 
sorry, no idea how to help you, but wanted to say I appreciate you having a sense of humor. 

[neko kyouran]

the theme is stored at the profile level.

wipe the profile completely, and create anew with the default profile making sure the default profile is set to what you want.

[Enaudni]

I created an entirely new user profile. The issue happens with all new users created on the system.  Unless you meant something else by profile

[neko kyouran]

see point 2 in my previous post

[Enaudni]

I don't know how to change the default settings for XP user accounts before they are created.  I'm sure there is a way though.  Themeing is working though and the theme is set to luna.  When I create a new account the default theme is luna, and all widgets and windows get themed except the task bar itself.

[Eliseth]

Create a new user, log in and set all the themes and settings and what not to what you would like, then restart and log on with a different administrative account, make sure you can view hidden files. Go to Documents and Settings and cut "Default User" and paste it somewhere safe as a back up. Then make a copy of the profile folder of the user you created earlier and call it "Default User"

Now all new users will have your customised settings.