Text rendering problem in several applications, and problems typing < > and ?

[Tuttle]

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/washingtonnews/EzekielBread.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...=com.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox&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/2007/07/11/cluster_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?

 

[Tuttle]

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.

 

[Malke]

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?

Be sure the computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

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.

Malke

 

[Tuttle]

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/page2.html#Removing_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.

 

[Malke]

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:

Fonts - Replace All (Kelly Theriot) -
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm

Fonts Supplied with Windows XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/winxp.htm
How to Determine the Default Windows Fonts -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q254768
TrueType Fonts Shipped with Microsoft Applications -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q123084
Fonts that are installed with Microsoft Office -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;837463

3. If none of that works, then I'd back up his data and do a clean install.

Malke

 

[Tuttle]

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?

Thanks very much for the assistance.

 

[Tuttle]

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?

Thanks very much for the assistance.

Fonts - Replace All (Kelly Theriot) -
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_f.htm

Fonts Supplied with Windows XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/winxp.htm
How to Determine the Default Windows Fonts -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q254768
TrueType Fonts Shipped with Microsoft Applications -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q123084
Fonts that are installed with Microsoft Office -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;837463

3. If none of that works, then I'd back up his data and do a clean

install.

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?

 

[Malke]

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.

Good luck,

Malke

 

[Tuttle]

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.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Do you have Clear Type enabled?

Try the tuner at:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearType/tuner/tune.aspx

It is also available as a PowerToy:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearTypePowerToy.mspx

 

[Nightowl]

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

 

[Tuttle]

Yes. I don't think this could be related to Clear Type, otherwise more text
would be unreadable or difficult to read. As I described, in some
circumstances typing a question mark causes text to go invisible, while
deleting the question mark enables the text to be visible again. That sounds
like something quite specific, not a general display problem.

 

[Tuttle]

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

Thanks for the reply.

I don't think this is a video card issue. If it were a video card or display
adapter/drivers issue, I think there would be more widespread display
problems. As I described, in some circumstances typing a question mark
causes text to go invisible, while deleting the question mark enables the
text to be visible again. That sounds like something quite specific, not a
general display problem.

 

[Nightowl]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't think this is a video card issue. If it were a video card or display
adapter/drivers issue, I think there would be more widespread display
problems.

Not necessarily.

As I described, in some circumstances typing a question mark
causes text to go invisible, while deleting the question mark enables the
text to be visible again. That sounds like something quite specific, not a
general display problem.

It obviously *is* a display problem in that as you described, the text
is still there, but white and therefore "invisible". To me it sounds
typical of a hardware acceleration glitch and you lose nothing by trying
turning it down, but your choice, of course.

 

[Tuttle]

Not necessarily.


It obviously *is* a display problem in that as you described, the text
is still there, but white and therefore "invisible". To me it sounds
typical of a hardware acceleration glitch and you lose nothing by trying
turning it down, but your choice, of course.

I do appreciate the suggestion, which I will try as soon as I get my hands
on the laptop again. However, the sytem has worked fine for over two years
with maximum acceleration - this problem is very recent.