strange symbols instead of normal characters

[wijcc]

I am in need to some help, one of my friends when attempting to install a new printer kind of messed up his laptop.
Now when he starts his laptop, instead of normal characters, all he gets is symbols like "?", squares etc, instead of the normal alphanumeric characters i.e. A, B C etc. I tried starting the laptop in safe-mode, it is the same in that mode too, strange symbols instead of the normal words.
His laptop is running windows xp home edition, can anyone help me shed any light on how to rectify this?
Thanks in advance guys

 

[wijcc]

I tried booting into safe mode and copying the fonts folder from another win xp machine, but still no joy
Also tried the last known good configuration.. again still did not cure the problem

 

[wijcc]

yeap, checked that. Still no joy