IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

I keep on having this recurring problem. Am I the only one? Googling the issue, I see no-one else asking this question. My OS is XP Pro.

The only way-out known to me is to click alt + prt sc + shift, then choose the left option, repeat alt + prt sc + shift. As a by-effect, the desktop colour will change to blue.

After closing IE8, changing the desktop back to its original colour and opening IE8 again, the status quo ante is reestablished - until next time, which can be expected about the next day (the latest).

Rather frustrating situation. Does anyone have an idea how this can be solved?

Reply 1 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

Anything like this?
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6142_102-522985.html?messageId=5112473&tag=commProfileMain;profileBot#message5112473

There is no solution there at present, although the Original Poster, (OP), did think she had solved the problem at one stage.

I'm confused about what you did to solve this, (even if only temporarily). That keyboard combination of ALT + PrtScr + Shift, what options are you presented with, and where did you get this apparent solution from?

I am not about to try that key combination myself until I know more.

Is that ALT, (hold down), the PrtScr, (hold down), then Shift, ie all together? Or Alt, (hold down), press PrtScr and let go, then press Shift?

I searched for the combination here; http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449 but couldn't find it.

Mark

Reply 2 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

I did find this combination in that link;

Left ALT + left SHIFT + PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off

Is that the same? If so, it looks like you are getting High Contrast settings. If so, then it might be that your system display is set to High Contrast by default. You can change that, instructions below;

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_highcontrast_settings.mspx

In short, Start > Control Panel, then Accessibility Options, then on the Display tab, under "High Contrast", click Settings and follow the rest of the guidance.

Does that solve the issue?

Mark

Reply 3 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

Thanks for both your messages. What the key combination quoted does is in fact open the high contrast settings.

Let it, for the time being, suffice to say that I continue to experiment. Fx, I have changed my desktop colour - which used to be 'identic' that of the toolbar of IE8, thus light grey - to a darker shade of grey. As a consequence, the problem seems to have improved - thus not totally disappeared yet.


(I hope I don't make myself too much of an idiot here, I'm not much more than an 'experienced user', without real hard background knowledge.)

Reply 4 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

There are no idiots here, just people trying to sort out problems,

I would ask the question. Do you 'need' High Contrast to be able to see and use the display comfortably? If so, then your options may be limited in what adjustments can be made.

If not however, I would try this. If High Contrast is set, change that, then reboot, (restart), the computer and let it boot back up in to Windows with the normal contrast and display settings. That might make Windows remember the setting.

Good luck.

Mark

Reply 5 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

I have unchecked the 'activate contrast' box, but it seems that at times, it 'checks itself back', despite previous reboots. So probably nothing special, just another Windows issue...

Mind you, I forgot to mention that the colour my IE8 toolbar changes into - when it happens - always is BLACK. That means nothing can be read.

Well, good to see that we have been able to at least isolate the probable cause. Thanks for your interest and assistance!

Reply 6 : IE8: Toolbar colour changing 'automatically'

that the theme you have chosen for windows, toolbars, font, buttons, etc, does not translate well when the system slips into High Contrast mode.

Try changing the Desktop Themes back to some standard theme and see if that helps if High Contrast kicks in again.

Mark