Microsoft paint - won't colour !

[Martin Goldstraw]

I have used microsoft paint for a number of years in both windows 95
and 98 with no difficulty. I have recently purchased a new computer
supported by windows xp home edition and I find that whatever I do it
will not colour anything - it always shows up as simply black.

It is not stuck in black and white mode - at least it shouldn't be - I
have checked out the attributes and they are set at colour by default.
Am I doing something wrong or is this edition of paint faulty?

Regards,
Martin

(the email address shown will just bounce - anti spam)

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Colors work in this version, are you selecting a color before applying?

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.


The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:



Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.



Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.



Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.



Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.



The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Martin Goldstraw]

Colors work in this version, are you selecting a color before applying?

Yes, I am familiar with paint, having used it for years on my old
computer systems - I never had this problem. I have checked to ensure
it is not in Black & White mode as well.

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

This is not "a relatively recent issue" in that the colour has never
worked - the computer is new. I tried the above suggestion prior to
posting the "help" plea and it did nothing.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Regretably, I only have the "Product Recovery CD Rom" as XP was
installed at point of manufacture. I think I'm going to have to speak
to the supplier on this one.

I do appreciate your suggestions - Thanks Michael.

Regards,
Martin

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome, Martin, I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Good luck.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Martin,

Just a thought, but try this:

Close any/all instances of MSPaint. Then start/run regedit, navigate to this
key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Applets\Paint

Hightlight (click on it) that key and delete it. Close the registry editor
and reopen Paint.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Martin Goldstraw]

Hi Martin,

Just a thought, but try this:

Close any/all instances of MSPaint. Then start/run regedit, navigate to this
key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Applets\Paint

Hightlight (click on it) that key and delete it. Close the registry editor
and reopen Paint.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

Thanks for the attempt Rick but I'm afraid even that didn't work.

Martin

 

[pickaname]

Reply over 13 years later - I just had the same problem with a specific image I was trying to edit. The image was saved as a monochrome bitmap image. In order to edit it with color, I had to save it as a different file type and then reopen it.