Icon text transparency in XP

After I purchased my notebook with xp home edition, I downloaded the updates needed. Once this completed, the colors were around the text. I have changed everything (all the usual things which is the same as the suggestions in this forum). It still does not work. Could the updates change something that is not in the usual places, ex. display? I would prefer not to use a third party program if possible. Any help would be kind. Thanks, Laine

 

Hello Laine.

Right click My Computer > Properties. In the properties box >advanced tab > performance > settings. In the performance options dialog box, on the visual effects tab:

Clearing the "Use Drop Shadows for Icon Labels on the Desktop" check box makes icons appear on a solid background, checking the box removes that background. Not clear on which you prefer.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks for your help. The box is checked. Is there somewhere else that changes can be made other than in the display properties,etc. I am at a loss.

Thanks again, Laine

 

So, UN-CHECK the box and see what happens!

Regards

 

Hi Liane,

Another thought. The clear font doesn't work if "Windows Classic Style" is enabled. To see if that's the case: right click the desk top and > properties > appearance tab.

Regards - Charles

EDIT: Un-check the box and reboot, see what happens.

 

Hey charles,

I switched views and unchecked the box then rebooted. Guess what, did not work either. Again thanks and if you think of something else to try or find out from someone else, please advise.

Laine

 

Hey Laine,

Ok, with the XP view enabled, now check the box.

This is starting to get confusing!

 

I checked and unchecked the box and rebooted. It will not change to transparent. I know this is minor compared to other problems but I won't rest until I know why it is doing this and can fix it. I know you are tired of this too. If you decide to give up, I will understand.

Thanks,
Laine

 

Hi Laine,

Until I run out of ideas......

Let's try it this way. I have the transparency working - I have Windows XP view selected - and these are my settings in the advanced tab:

All the boxes are checked from custom on down. Not all of them have anything to do with the clear type, of course, so if you don't want all the options, pick the ones that seem to affect this problem, ie, "show translucent selection rectangle ".

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles,

I had all checked from custom as you did. I unchecked the rectangle one and drop shadows, then rebooted. Still did not work, so I am going to change it back.

Thanks, Laine

 

Hello Arie,

The lock web item, show desktop and clean desktop items do not show up when I right click the desktop. However, if I right click the taskbar the show desktop is there and lock taskbar. I don't know why they are not listed in the arrange icons by..

Any more ideas? None of the usual fixes have worked so far.

Thanks, Laine

 

Hi Arie,

I did the Start>Run> cmd. It came up with the document/settings>owner etc. I typed sfc/scannow aaand hit enter. A window stating that it was checking for windows protected files being intact etc. Was this the way to do it? Nothing seemed to happen. I waited then I rebooted. I right clicked the desktop >arrange by icons and the same items were there, nothing changed. Please advise.

Thanks,

Laine