Advanced appearance, "color 2

[Guest]

The active and inactive title bars on my pc have suddenly gone to all solid
colors, whereas before they were in 2 colors. I have XP and I know how to
change it, but the option has disappeared (faded out). Under Display
Properties - Appearance - Advanced Appearance, "color 2" is no longer
available for ANY of the desktop elements, including title bars. I have no
idea why and it's driving me nuts. A little help?

 

[t.cruise]

Is "Restore my computer to an earlier time" in System Restore, and using a System Restore
Point just prior to the problem an option?

 

[Keith Miller]

Start -> Run -> Regedit

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

In the right-hand pane look for the value named 'UserPreferencesMask', a 4 byte binary value, looking like this:

(xx) xx xx xx

I've put parenthesis around the byte you're interested in.

Open calculator, view-> scientific. Select hex mode, type in the byte, then 'OR' it with 10.

Change the byte UserPreferencesMask to reflect your new value. Log off & log on for changes to take effect.

Keith

 

[Kelly]

Hi Keith,

GREAT to see you here. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Start -> Run -> Regedit

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

In the right-hand pane look for the value named 'UserPreferencesMask', a 4
byte binary value, looking like this:

(xx) xx xx xx

I've put parenthesis around the byte you're interested in.

Open calculator, view-> scientific. Select hex mode, type in the byte, then
'OR' it with 10.

Change the byte UserPreferencesMask to reflect your new value. Log off &
log on for changes to take effect.

Keith

 

[Keith Miller]

Thanks Kelly...I get here when I can

Hi Keith,

GREAT to see you here. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Start -> Run -> Regedit

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

In the right-hand pane look for the value named 'UserPreferencesMask', a 4
byte binary value, looking like this:

(xx) xx xx xx

I've put parenthesis around the byte you're interested in.

Open calculator, view-> scientific. Select hex mode, type in the byte, then
'OR' it with 10.

Change the byte UserPreferencesMask to reflect your new value. Log off &
log on for changes to take effect.

Keith

 

[Guest]

Well now why didn't I think of that? Thanks! However, I only got as far as
"type in the byte" in hex mode. Not sure what you mean exactly by "'OR' it
with 10." Clicking the 'Or' button does nothing. Can I impose upon you to
elaborate a little further?

Thanks again.

Marshall

 

[Guest]

Good idea. I tried it, using a restore point prior to the time that the
problem started. However, it didn't work; it said there had been no changes
to my computer.

Is "Restore my computer to an earlier time" in System Restore, and using a System Restore
Point just prior to the problem an option?
--

T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
Remove [NoSpam] to reply

The active and inactive title bars on my pc have suddenly gone to all solid
colors, whereas before they were in 2 colors. I have XP and I know how to
change it, but the option has disappeared (faded out). Under Display
Properties - Appearance - Advanced Appearance, "color 2" is no longer
available for ANY of the desktop elements, including title bars. I have no
idea why and it's driving me nuts. A little help?

 

[Keith Miller]

Just like you would add two numbers, only you 'OR' them:

AE 'OR' 10 '='

Click the 'Or' button, then type 10 then click '=' (or type <enter>)

Keith

 

[Guest]

I actually did try that, but it produces the same value that I begin with:
9E 'Or' 10 = 9E.

 

[Bob I]

That is correct. Write it out in binary(so you can visualize)
and 9E OR 10 DOES equal 9E

 

[Guest]

Well I seem to have fixed it. I made some random changes to the
UserPreferencesMask registry key, all to no avail. Then I tried system
retore and WHAM! Fixed. The funny thing is, I had already tried using
system retore back to the same restore point prior to the problem, and it
didn't work. Go figure.

 

[Keith Miller]

Were you logging off and on between each change? The values are only read at the beginning of a session unless a change is made through the UI.

Keith

 

[Guest]

Yes. I logged off an back on, and even rebooted several times. No
noticeable changes until system restore. But thanks for your help just the
same.

MB

 

[Kelly]

I hear you. Have been so busy myself. Tax refund time is busy for me.
Folks just want to buy new systems .............

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Thanks Kelly...I get here when I can