OE won't allow different fonts or colors

I'm running Win XP Home SP2. Even before applying SP2 I had this problem, but not sure exactly when it started. When creating a new email or post, I cannot change font colors so "I" can "SEE" them. The recipients CAN see the colors. The font change won't work. I change the font and with the first letter I type it reverts back to the default font. I've posted this in several help newsgroups and have tried all the usual fixes several times over--even downloaded a couple of fixes to apply with no luck. I think it has to do with something corrupted in the registry--I just don't know where OE hides it's files for html. Anyone know what files govern the colors and fonts in OE? Or does anyone have any idea what could be wrong? Yes, I've checked the usual. I'll have it in Rich Format..I've checked all the options in Tools.I can view html just fine. Graphics appear as they should...stationery usually appears with a paperclip attaching the background but I don't care about stationery. However, I imagine it's all connected to whatever the problem is. Something is corrupted somewhere and needs overhauling...Thanks.

Debbie

 

bullock--Have you tried to Repair IE/OE? (They are tightly connected.)
Start|Run|type sfc /scannow|OK. Have your WinXP CD ready to insert into the CD-ROM when asked. It takes a while and you may have to click Retry several times. Reboot when the progress window disappears.
P.S. I assume you have been to OE Tools|Options|Compose tab|Font Settings.

 

Oh, now that would just be too easy, wouldn't it? I've tried that repeatedly. When I slip the CD in it'll say it's the wrong one..but it's the only one I have!

Yes, I've been there (Tools/Options/Compose/Fonts) trying to see if somehow I "ve overlooked something...nada. I've got Arial as default font...and black color for both mail and news. However, when creating a new mail or a post I SHOULD be able to click on the "A" and choose a different color. Matter of fact, I can..I just can't see it. But If I choose another color, type and post or send, the reader can see the different color..weird, huh? Thanks for trying...

 

I'm wondering...if I were to save all my folders to a disk so that there wasn't anything in OE I couldn't afford to lose...could I remove OE, go to WU and let WU detect the missing OE and would WU reinstall it for me? I'm not sure how that works. I wouldn't want to remove OE and have to manually put it back myself because--as mentioned in a previous post--the Win XP CD I have apparently is not what's needed for reinstalling or reformating. Thanks.

 

bullock--Maybe one of these references will help you run SFC /SCANNOW
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=900910
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-24.html
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_reinstall_ie_and_oe_6.htm
(Note method #2)

 

IE (and OE) is so tightly integrated into XP that you cannot remove it and retain a working OS.

SFC is the only realistic way to do a repair of IE/OE in XP.