Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ?
WinXP Home Edition Version 2002 SP2, current with Windows Updates, on a Dell
laptop.
IE7, MS Office 2000, Opera 9.27, etc.
I have a strange text rendering issue in some applications. I suspect that
it is caused by some bad code, maybe corruption of some important file, in
Windows itself. But, I really don't know.
There are also recurring issues regarding rendering when I type a question
mark or an angle bracket (?, < or >) in various applications.
The fact that there are similar issues (not identical) in several
applications makes me think that this is not just a problem with IE7 or MS
Office on this PC, but may be some more fundamental problem with Windows or
some rendering code. Maybe some key file is corrupted? There were bad
sectors on the hard drive recently - disk image was restored to replacement
disk, but perhaps some important file was damaged on the previous disk and
so the damaged file is now on the new disk?
Below are symptoms in various applications.
MS Outlook 2000
When replying to HTML messages some of the reply text I type is unreadable
in the message compose window, even though when the message is sent the
recipient does in fact have all the text I typed and it is all readable.
When typing the reply, if I type some text and then type a question mark or
an angle bracket (?, < or >) then all the previously-typed text on that line
turns invisible (white text on the white background of the reply).
MS Excel 2000
When typingin a cell, if I type a question mark or an angle bracket (?, < or
>) then that character is invisible. When I then click Enter, the entire
cell contents (all the previously-typed text and the question mark or an
angle bracket) turns invisible. The contents are still there, as I can copy
the cell and paste contents into a text editor. In all cases, font color
remains set as "automatic".
IE7 forms - and OPERA forms
http://www.google.ca/
I type some text in the seach box, then type a question mark ? or an angle
bracket <
or >. All the text preceding that character goes invisible.
Doing same text inn Opera browser, the question mark or angle brackets will
be invisible, but the previously-typed text remains visible
IE7 - web pages
Some web page text is invisible, as though it's white on white background.
Often the unreadable text is just a few words within a line when the rest of
the line or paragraph are readable. These invisible words appear as white
"gaps" in the text. If I highlight the text a few times, sometimes I can get
part of it to display temporarily.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2196530/bio
Under Trivia, the first line that begins "Shot by girlfriend Claudine
Longet", the rest of the text on that line (after Claudine Longet) is
invisible.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07...balloon_stunt/
Second paragraph, beginning "Kent Couch", near the phrases 'What the heck am
I doing? Are you crazy or what?'. there is always some text invisible in
IE7, but the specific invisible text varies according to browser width and
font size setting. In IE7, the phrase "Are you crazy or what?" is always
invisible, as is the question mark after "doing?"
On this PC, even in Opera those two question marks are always invisible.
This makes me think that this is not just a problem with IE7 or MS Office on
this PC, but may be some more fundamental problem with Windows or some
rendering code. Maybe some key file is corrupted?
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem may need MVP advice
I'm, desperately hoping for some expert advice on this strange problem, If
someone knows what Windows systems files should be restored/replaced to try
to solve this, I's sure appreciate it. We are stumped, so would be happy to
learn from your expertise.
"Tuttle" <nospamhere@notarealaddressnospam.gs> wrote in message
news:ePLEUfqtIHA.5500@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> WinXP Home Edition Version 2002 SP2, current with Windows Updates, on a
Dell
> laptop.
> IE7, MS Office 2000, Opera 9.27, etc.
>
> I have a strange text rendering issue in some applications. I suspect that
> it is caused by some bad code, maybe corruption of some important file, in
> Windows itself. But, I really don't know.
>
> There are also recurring issues regarding rendering when I type a question
> mark or an angle bracket (?, < or >) in various applications.
>
> The fact that there are similar issues (not identical) in several
> applications makes me think that this is not just a problem with IE7 or
MS
> Office on this PC, but may be some more fundamental problem with Windows
or
> some rendering code. Maybe some key file is corrupted? There were bad
> sectors on the hard drive recently - disk image was restored to
replacement
> disk, but perhaps some important file was damaged on the previous disk and
> so the damaged file is now on the new disk?
>
> Below are symptoms in various applications.
>
>
> MS Outlook 2000
>
> When replying to HTML messages some of the reply text I type is unreadable
> in the message compose window, even though when the message is sent the
> recipient does in fact have all the text I typed and it is all readable.
>
> When typing the reply, if I type some text and then type a question mark
or
> an angle bracket (?, < or >) then all the previously-typed text on that
line
> turns invisible (white text on the white background of the reply).
>
>
> MS Excel 2000
>
> When typingin a cell, if I type a question mark or an angle bracket (?, <
or
> >) then that character is invisible. When I then click Enter, the entire
> cell contents (all the previously-typed text and the question mark or an
> angle bracket) turns invisible. The contents are still there, as I can
copy
> the cell and paste contents into a text editor. In all cases, font color
> remains set as "automatic".
>
>
> IE7 forms - and OPERA forms
>
> http://www.google.ca/
> I type some text in the seach box, then type a question mark ? or an angle
> bracket <
> or >. All the text preceding that character goes invisible.
>
> Doing same text inn Opera browser, the question mark or angle brackets
will
> be invisible, but the previously-typed text remains visible
>
>
> IE7 - web pages
>
> Some web page text is invisible, as though it's white on white background.
> Often the unreadable text is just a few words within a line when the rest
of
> the line or paragraph are readable. These invisible words appear as white
> "gaps" in the text. If I highlight the text a few times, sometimes I can
get
> part of it to display temporarily.
>
> Some examples:
>
> http://www.nobeliefs.com/washingtonn...ekielBread.htm
> In the first paragraph, which begins "While walking past the bread
section",
> the second and third lines are invisible.
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=Blue+...ox&rlz=1I7SUNA
> The first search result (as of today it's the first) is Blue Moon: Dexter
> Gordon -Dexter Gordon Plays: The Bethlehem Years. Underneath, the URL is
> shown in green, but everything in the URL after
> www.freshsoundrecords.com/record- is invisible.
>
> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2196530/bio
> Under Trivia, the first line that begins "Shot by girlfriend Claudine
> Longet", the rest of the text on that line (after Claudine Longet) is
> invisible.
>
>
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07...balloon_stunt/
> Second paragraph, beginning "Kent Couch", near the phrases 'What the heck
am
> I doing? Are you crazy or what?'. there is always some text invisible in
> IE7, but the specific invisible text varies according to browser width and
> font size setting. In IE7, the phrase "Are you crazy or what?" is always
> invisible, as is the question mark after "doing?"
>
> On this PC, even in Opera those two question marks are always invisible.
> This makes me think that this is not just a problem with IE7 or MS Office
on
> this PC, but may be some more fundamental problem with Windows or some
> rendering code. Maybe some key file is corrupted?
>
>
>
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem may need MVP advice
Tuttle wrote:
> I'm, desperately hoping for some expert advice on this strange problem, If
> someone knows what Windows systems files should be restored/replaced to
> try to solve this, I's sure appreciate it. We are stumped, so would be
> happy to learn from your expertise.
I don't know the answer offhand, so let's start with the basics:
The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time things
worked and the time they didn't?
The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the malware/virus
status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what programs (and
versions) did you use to determine this?
Also give a description of your computer when you post back, including its
age and hardware specs.
Note: Limiting yourself to "MVP advice" is foolish. Lots of non-MVPs post in
these groups who are extremely knowledgeable but may be put off by this
limitation in your subject line.
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23UCOdm0tIHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Tuttle wrote:
>
> > I'm, desperately hoping for some expert advice on this strange problem,
If
> > someone knows what Windows systems files should be restored/replaced to
> > try to solve this, I's sure appreciate it. We are stumped, so would be
> > happy to learn from your expertise.
>
> I don't know the answer offhand, so let's start with the basics:
>
> The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time
things
> worked and the time they didn't?
Hard drive failure. There were bad sectors on the hard drive so I imaged the
drive, installed a new drive, and restored the disk image to the replacement
drive. (My friend, the laptop's owner, did not have recent backups so I
wanted to salvage his data and even entire system if I could.) That's why I
wonder if perhaps some important file was damaged in a bad sector when the
previous disk was failing and so the damaged file would have been restored
to the new disk.
Since the restore to new drive, everything works as it should, as it did
before the disk failure, except for the odd problems I described.
> The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the malware/virus
> status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what programs (and
> versions) did you use to determine this?
>
> Be sure the computer is clean:
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
I think it is clean. It runs Norton Systemworks with Norton Anti Virus and
spyware protection and firewall, and periodically has scans from other
tools. Since this problem, it has had full system scans from several tools
to look for viruses and malware. It's clearn. Here's what it's been checked
with since this problem:
Norton Anti Virus
Norton Systemworks scans for spyware, etc.
Norton Security Scan
McAfee FreeScan
Symantec Security Check
Webroot Spy Sweeper
Trend Micro HouseCall
CCleaner
> Also give a description of your computer when you post back, including its
> age and hardware specs.
Dell Inspiron 6000d, built October, 2005 (now two and a half years old)
Intel Pentium M 1.73 GHz. 1 GB RAM. 60 GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
New replacement 60 GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
15.4 inch WSXGA+
ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB HyperMemory Video Card
Intel PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g54Mbps)
> Note: Limiting yourself to "MVP advice" is foolish. Lots of non-MVPs post
in
> these groups who are extremely knowledgeable but may be put off by this
> limitation in your subject line.
You're absolutely right. I had discussed it first in some other forums, and
no one could think of what could cause it, so I thought I might need "the
big guns" help. But you're right, there are lots of expert folks out
there. Thanks.
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
Tuttle wrote:
> Hard drive failure. There were bad sectors on the hard drive so I imaged
> the drive, installed a new drive, and restored the disk image to the
> replacement drive. (My friend, the laptop's owner, did not have recent
> backups so I wanted to salvage his data and even entire system if I
> could.) That's why I wonder if perhaps some important file was damaged in
> a bad sector when the previous disk was failing and so the damaged file
> would have been restored to the new disk.
>
> Since the restore to new drive, everything works as it should, as it did
> before the disk failure, except for the odd problems I described.
> I think it is clean. It runs Norton Systemworks with Norton Anti Virus and
> spyware protection and firewall, and periodically has scans from other
> tools. Since this problem, it has had full system scans from several tools
> to look for viruses and malware. It's clearn. Here's what it's been
> checked with since this problem:
>
> Norton Anti Virus
> Norton Systemworks scans for spyware, etc.
> Norton Security Scan
> McAfee FreeScan
> Symantec Security Check
> Webroot Spy Sweeper
> Trend Micro HouseCall
> CCleaner
> Dell Inspiron 6000d, built October, 2005 (now two and a half years old)
> Intel Pentium M 1.73 GHz. 1 GB RAM. 60 GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
> New replacement 60 GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
> 15.4 inch WSXGA+
> ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB HyperMemory Video Card
> Intel PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g54Mbps)
There's no one magic file that will help you. Probably there was some sort
of corruption in the image you applied. There's no way of knowing what it
is. I'd do a few things:
1. Uninstall/reinstall the video drivers. Test. If that doesn't work,
2. Reinstall all the core system fonts:
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
> There's no one magic file that will help you. Probably there was some sort
> of corruption in the image you applied. There's no way of knowing what it
> is.
The image is valid, not corrupted. It has been verified. However, while the
image archive itself is valid, some files contained in it could be
corrupted. If a system file (or any file) became corrupted during the disk
failure, then the image would capture the current corrupted state of that
file. That's what I think may have happened.
> I'd do a few things:
>
> 1. Uninstall/reinstall the video drivers. Test.
Okay, I'll try that.
> If that doesn't work,
> 2. Reinstall all the core system fonts:
When you say "core", you mean just the fonts that came with XP? Or do you
mean all fonts, since I see that you included links to lists of fonts
shipped with MS Office and other MS applications?
Would you not first try to Repair Windows? A clean install would mean hours
of work reinstalling all his applications and configuring system and
application prefs, wouldn't it?
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
Tuttle wrote:
> The image is valid, not corrupted. It has been verified. However, while
> the image archive itself is valid, some files contained in it could be
> corrupted. If a system file (or any file) became corrupted during the disk
> failure, then the image would capture the current corrupted state of that
> file. That's what I think may have happened.
I didn't say the image is corrupted; I'm in complete agreement with you that
some files were corrupted and then you imaged them. Naturally the corrupted
files are in the image. Try the System File Checker and if that doesn't
work, a Repair Install. Other than that (coupled with the two suggestions I
already made) I don't have any other ideas for you.
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:OVEDN12tIHA.5268@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Tuttle wrote:
>
> > The image is valid, not corrupted. It has been verified. However, while
> > the image archive itself is valid, some files contained in it could be
> > corrupted. If a system file (or any file) became corrupted during the
disk
> > failure, then the image would capture the current corrupted state of
that
> > file. That's what I think may have happened.
>
> I didn't say the image is corrupted; I'm in complete agreement with you
that
> some files were corrupted and then you imaged them. Naturally the
corrupted
> files are in the image. Try the System File Checker and if that doesn't
> work, a Repair Install. Other than that (coupled with the two suggestions
I
> already made) I don't have any other ideas for you.
Thanks for the suggestions.In addition to the tinkering I did myself, I've
completed your first three suggestions:
I uninstalled then reinstalled fresh video drivers.
I reinstalled all fonts, following Kelly Theriot's steps at http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm
I ran System File Checker with /scannow option.
None of that has had any effect on this strange problem.
Is there anything else I could try before doing a Repair Install?
After doing a Repair Install, will I lose anything? e.g. will any
applications fail to work or require reinstallation, will the various config
settings and user preferences for Windows and IE be lost? (I've never done a
Repair Install, so I'm not sure what to expect.)
"Tuttle" <nospamhere@notarealaddressnospam.gs> wrote in message
news:u80lbmEuIHA.5268@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:OVEDN12tIHA.5268@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Tuttle wrote:
>>
>> > The image is valid, not corrupted. It has been verified. However, while
>> > the image archive itself is valid, some files contained in it could be
>> > corrupted. If a system file (or any file) became corrupted during the
> disk
>> > failure, then the image would capture the current corrupted state of
> that
>> > file. That's what I think may have happened.
>>
>> I didn't say the image is corrupted; I'm in complete agreement with you
> that
>> some files were corrupted and then you imaged them. Naturally the
> corrupted
>> files are in the image. Try the System File Checker and if that doesn't
>> work, a Repair Install. Other than that (coupled with the two suggestions
> I
>> already made) I don't have any other ideas for you.
>
> Thanks for the suggestions.In addition to the tinkering I did myself, I've
> completed your first three suggestions:
>
> I uninstalled then reinstalled fresh video drivers.
> I reinstalled all fonts, following Kelly Theriot's steps at
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm
> I ran System File Checker with /scannow option.
>
> None of that has had any effect on this strange problem.
>
> Is there anything else I could try before doing a Repair Install?
> After doing a Repair Install, will I lose anything? e.g. will any
> applications fail to work or require reinstallation, will the various
> config
> settings and user preferences for Windows and IE be lost? (I've never done
> a
> Repair Install, so I'm not sure what to expect.)
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
>
>
>
Re: Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? Unique problem
Tuttle <nospamhere@notarealaddressnospam.gs> wrote on Sat, 17 May 2008:
>Is there anything else I could try before doing a Repair Install?
Hi Tuttle
The way you described the "invisible" text varying makes me feel it is
definitely video card-related. I think it would be worth trying turning
down the hardware acceleration of the video card a notch or two, one at
a time, to see if that makes a difference. It can turn out to be the
answer to some weird display problems.
Hope you do get it solved. Keep us posted on how it goes :-)
--
Nightowl
Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ? 
But you're right, there are lots of expert folks out
Linear Mode
