Outlook Express font size problem

Does anyone out there know how to make my Outlook Express font size default setting behave itself?

I select the font name, font style and font size (say 14) in the Font box (Format > Font)
and then open the New Message window, having selected Rich Text (HTML). There is no problem with the font name as shown or with the font name and font style , when I type.

In the New Message window, the font size is shown either as 14, as set in the Font box, or more often as 12. Even when 14 is shown, it changes to 12 as soon as I start to type and the actual size of the type is 12. If I manually insert 14 in the New Message window, it changes to 12, as soon as I start to type and, again, the actual size of the type is 12.

I cannot even type my message in Word using 14 and then copy and paste into the New Message box. It comes out as 12!

Am I missing something very obvious or is there a fault with my PC?

I run OE6 and Win 98FE.

 

If I understand you correctly, it seems you aren't setting the default font, but the font for immediate use. Try Tools, Options, Compose tab and set your default mail font there.

 

Abraxas - many thanks for your reply but, unfortunately, it does not solve the problem.

14 is selected as my mail default in Compose Font (Tools > Options > Compose). Even when 14 does appear, when the New Message window is opened, it changes to 12, as soon as I start to type. This is why I tried (in vain) changing the font size in the Font box (Format > Font)!

Do you have any further suggestions, please?

 

To change the font, style, and size of text

You can change the way the text looks for all your messages or you can make changes to selected text within a message.

To change the text style for all messages

On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Compose tab, click Font Settings.
To format text within individual messages

Select the text you want to format.
(To change the font for an entire message, on the Edit menu, click Select All.)

On the formatting toolbar, click the buttons for the options you want.
Notes

If you have trouble formatting, make sure HTML formatting is turned on by clicking the Format menu in a new message window and then clicking Rich Text (HTML). A black dot appears by the command when it is selected.
When you use HTML formatting and the recipient's e-mail or news program does not read HTML, the message appears as plain text with an HTML file attached. The recipient can view the attached file by opening it in any Web browser.

 

Barbara-Ann

I think you posted your reply (for which thanks) to my question before reading my reply to the suggestion made by Abraxas.

I know how to turn on Rich Text (HTML); how to change the text style for all messages; how to do it for a single message and how to do it for part only of a message. All of these lead to the formatting toolbar in the New Message window. I have no problem with any of the buttons in this toolbar other than the font size box.

My problem is that, whichever of the available methods I use to get my desired number into this box, the moment that I start to type, the number changes to 12; the message text appears in the window as 12 and, not surprisingly, it is sent out as 12.

Sorry to all if I have failed previously properly to describe the problem.

 

Possible Solution?

I just found this at the MSKB. Let us know if this did the trick for you. My mother-in-law is having the same problem and I'm going to see if this little trick will help her, too.

Here is the LINK .

Good luck

 

Thanks for the MSKB link. I have tried it several times, but without success.

This KB problem (font size changing on pressing Enter) is obviously a close relation of my problem (font size changing on starting to type the message). I tried pressing the Enter key repeatedly and, after a few presses, the number changed back from 12 to 14. My hope of success was dashed, as soon as I started to type - back again to 12!

I hope that you have more success with your mother in law's problem.

 

Rats! Was hoping that fix would work for you. I haven't heard from the in-law yet, so don't know if she tried it yet or not. She's getting ready for a trip and probably just doesn't have time to mess with the computer right now. Do a search in MSKB and maybe there will be a different fix for you that will work. Let us know.

 

Masochist and All

I am eagerly watching this thread as I have had the exact problem since upgrading to OE6. I don't know if it was a problem in 5.5 or not. I had already upgraded when my Aunt asked me the same question.

I'll be looking for answers also and will post back.

 

At a guess you folks have a busted install of IE/OE. Since there is no real good way to tell what or where, take a look at Q256219 which gives really excellent instructions for backing up IE/OE content you might want to keep and doing a complete, total, absolute, safe removal so you can get a clean install. They even have a link to download a special registry cleaner that will finish the uninstall part of the job for you.

The title says for IE5/5.5 but it works for 6.0 as well.

I read thru the instructions and there were at least 5 or 6 "gotcha's" that it warned about and told exactly how to avoid.

 

If you're using a stationery, the only way you can change the default faunt (as far as I've found so far) is to edit the HTML code of the stationery.

Are you familiar with using FrontPage Express®?

 

Open Internet Explorer and click Tools - Internet Options - General - Accessibility and ensure that each of the (three) formatting options is unchecked. In OE, ensure that HTML is set as the default mail sending format (oooh ... it pains me to write that!).

 

I am delighted to report that Brett's solution has worked . HTML was set as the default mail sending format, but one of the formatting options in IE....> Accessability (where I have not previously ventured!) was checked.

My sincere thanks to Brett in particular but also to all the others, who have made helpful suggestions.

I do hope that all those who have had the same or similar problems will post, to let us know whether Brett's solution worked for them.

Thanks, Newt, for the Q256219 link. Though uninstalling and reinstalling OE is, fortunately, not necessary this time round, I have saved it for almost certain future reference.

 

Glad it worked and thanks for posting back

 

Brett....You did it again. I had the "ignore fonts in web pages" checked.

I checked it a while back so I could change the size of the font on a web page from the toolbar. Funny that the size gizmo on my toolbar still works.

Thanks for your help.

 

Wow! When mother-in-law comes back from vacation will have to tell her about this one. Hope it works for her as well.

Glad things worked out for you this time, Masochist.