The titles for my desktop icons are shown printed within an obscure
block background.  I've tryed everthing reasonable to return to the
transparent words and letter but have not succeed. New icons and
titles are displayed the same way, ie within obscure blocks. This
doesn't keep my from reading the titles or accessing programs, it is
just a nagging nusance.  I'm running Windows XP profession.  I'm not
computer literate and need step by step help.

Try this:
Click Start, Control Panel. Select System.
In the system properties dialog box click the 'advanced' tab.
In the performance section, click the 'settings' button.
Make sure 'custom' is ticked. Scroll down to bottom of the list and
put a check next to "use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop".
Click OK, then OK again.

P.S. If you are using "category view" instead of "classic view" in
control panel, you'll need to click 'Performance and Maintenance'
before selecting System.

Fast and a good response, thanks.  I printed you suggestion and found
the settings block already check,  I uncheck it, rebooted, and was
sorry to see no change.  I repeated the operation, this time I checked
the( use drop down shadow view )box and rebooted. Im sorry to say, no
help. Please, is there something more to try? The problem remains
unchainged.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305117&Product=winxp

Maybe this article will help you.

The answer from mathgeek314-ga Is good, At least microsoft recognizes
the problem.  I'm search for active desktop icons.