Windows XP Professional "Invisible info in Dropdown Menu"

> Hello,
> I am using WinXP Professional and it has been working
> great, I booted up last night and in my windows explorer
> program when I used any drop down menu it was just
> showing the outside lines but no writing and on the
> inside of the lines it was as if it was just invisible
> because you could see the lines but everything else
> blends into the background and the same is happening with
> my start-up menu... I see the programs and then when you
> follow the arrow over the same happens-- Could someone
> please enlighten me on this problem...It would be most
> appreciated
> THANKS
> Oceanblues66