XP on my Thinkpad: non-standard dialog background

[rschroev]

Hi,

Windows XP on my Thinkpad (R61, bought in last January, Model number 8918 DFG) uses a non-standard background in a number of Windows dialog windows.

To see what I mean, see this image:
http://tp-bg.rschroev.fastmail.fm/backg ... arison.png
Left is a normal dialog from another Windows XP, right is a screenshot from my Thinkpad. Below the images are magnifications of part of the image.

As you can see, the first on only has a slight gradient, while the second one has some sort of dot pattern. It's been like that ever since I bought the laptop.

The problem is that I don't like that non-standard pattern background; I prefer the standard Windows background. Does anyone know how I can configure the system to use the standard background? It's not a matter of changing the theme (I already tried, and it doesn't help).

MOD EDIT: The picture size must be <=50kB.

[RealBlackStuff]

This could be due to the resolution, or to the color depth (16-bit or 32-bit). Another option could be Clear Type from your Control Panel.

[rschroev]

I'm afraid it isn't anything of those:
- my resolution is 1680x1050, which is the native resolution of the screen
- the bit depth is 32 bits
- ClearType, standard font smoothing or no font smoothing at all makes no difference with regards to the background.

Also, it only happens in Windows XP themes; in Windows Classic the background is a solid gray.

[rschroev]

I have been researching a bit how themes work in Windows. I stumbled upon the Royale theme that MS designed but not released, and I installed it since I like it better than the standard Luna theme.

In Royale the backgrounds are perfectly OK. The strange thing is, if I now switch back to Luna the backgrounds are still OK. They are like they are supposed to be, instead of the patterns I used to see before.

Thanks to all who responded!