When I log in as root and go to the system + clock/date everything is under intensified so I can't change the date or time. Also I can't shut down the computer via the menus: I have to cycle the power switch to shut things down. Any ideas what the problem might be?
This doesn't sound like a FreeBSD problem. What desktop are you using?
The problem here may just be that your running the desktop as root. Please don't do that. If you need to elevate privileges to do something use su(1) or sudo(8) or the desktop environments GUI tools for that instead of running the desktop as the root user. Running the desktop as root is a security risk itself and can likely cause file/directory permission issues among other problems when you try to log in as a normal user later on.
iI am usingfreebsdFreeBSD GUI.on an old HP Vectra. Does that answer your question?