Need help w/Windows 8 - text replaced by symbols!

ebs0303

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I got a new Windows 8 computer about 2 months ago; added a new user for my kids about 3-4 weeks ago and since then have noticed that text for all users, within Windows and IE (address bar, top pulldown menus, icon descriptions on desktop) now all appear in a symbol mode that is unintelligible. When I open up Windows (ie, control panel or other Windows dialogue boxes) the text has all been changed to symbols as well. I called customer support for my computer (Lenovo) and they were not able to help solve the problem. Before I go ahead and do a factory reset, wanted to see if anyone knew the problem and could help with a solution.

Thanks in advance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
You have either run a "cleaner" or "optimizer" program of some type, or you have installed an application that has replaced a system font.

That font is SegueUI, and you will need to reinstall it. There are dozens of times people have asked this question in here, you can do a search to find solutions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Thanks... I tried to search forum for "reinstall SegueUI and nothing came up - whats the best way to search for this solution?

Dont recall installing anything specific, but one of my kids could have....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I guess part of the problem is that Windows now has this symbol font, so its difficult to read dialogue boxes in terms of reinstalling. Suggestions?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
This procedure may be worth a look before you go the factory restore route:

Fonts - Change - Windows 7 Help Forums

Applies to Windows 8 as well and there are screenshots with readable English text that may be helpful. Good luck. Note: Option three might be the easiest way to go IMHO.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If ya know where it is, you can get to it by sight maybe. Can you pull up a command prompt, and does the command prompt also have these symbols? It's mroe likely that you have installed some kind of Asian Language font, one that does not have any regular english characters. Use Justatests link thats probably the best way to go. You may have to work on the affected system along side one that is not affected just so you'll know which areas to go to. I got stuck with a Hebrew font once, it was a pain to get it back to English. I had to use a Hebrew-English dictionary to read the text!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Im pretty certain its not another language - its mostly circles and rectangles and some other shapes - they dont even look like letters of any kind. Ill try the above links, hopefully that will get it done. thx.

If ya know where it is, you can get to it by sight maybe. Can you pull up a command prompt, and does the command prompt also have these symbols? It's mroe likely that you have installed some kind of Asian Language font, one that does not have any regular english characters. Use Justatests link thats probably the best way to go. You may have to work on the affected system along side one that is not affected just so you'll know which areas to go to. I got stuck with a Hebrew font once, it was a pain to get it back to English. I had to use a Hebrew-English dictionary to read the text!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Well, there is a "Symbols" font, you may have set that as the main font accidentally. Set it to the one they said to change it to.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
No, the problem is that Windows 8's version of Segoe UI contains special fonts used in the start page (they're really words in one character). Segoe UI from Windows 7 and earlier do not have the special characters.

Some applications feel it necessary to install every font they use, whether it's pre-installed or not. And they end up overwriting the font in Windows 8 with an older version. Then, the words no longer show up, but instead wacky symbols.

It has nothing to do with setting any default fonts, or any configuration entry whatsoever. The physical font files on disk have been replaced. You need to re-install the Windows 8 ones.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Those "Symbols" are probably Wingding fonts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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