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IE8 - Task Bar not displaying correctly

A

AB

Flightless Bird
Hi,
I seem to be running IE8 now; assume it automatically updated to it
recently. This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my
desktop was showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with
a previous version, but don't remember how to fix it.

Can anyone advise? Thanks!

Cheers,
AB
 
V

VanguardLH

Flightless Bird
AB wrote:

> I seem to be running IE8 now;


You don't know? What version is listed under the Help -> About menu?

> assume it automatically updated to it recently.


Nope, that didn't happen. You chose to install it.

> This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my desktop was
> showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with a previous
> version, but don't remember how to fix it.


Are you using a themes manager, like WindowBlinds? If so, configure it to
exclude Internet Explorer.
 
A

AB

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 9 May 2010 13:35:07 -0500, VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> wrote:

>AB wrote:
>
>> I seem to be running IE8 now;

>
>You don't know? What version is listed under the Help -> About menu?

I do know - I am running IE8.
>
>> assume it automatically updated to it recently.

>
>Nope, that didn't happen. You chose to install it

No - I get automatic updates. Did not select to install, although if
given the option, I would've. The 1st clue I had was the task bar
problem this morning.
>
>> This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my desktop was
>> showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with a previous
>> version, but don't remember how to fix it.

>
>Are you using a themes manager, like WindowBlinds? If so, configure it to
>exclude Internet Explorer.

Never heard of WindowBlinds. My OS is Windows XP.
 
J

Jim

Flightless Bird
"AB" <ab@pipeline.com> wrote in message
news:m4eeu51vd3tqitv9a6vokb66vh9g807v3h@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 9 May 2010 13:35:07 -0500, VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> wrote:
>
>>AB wrote:
>>
>>> I seem to be running IE8 now;

>>
>>You don't know? What version is listed under the Help -> About menu?

> I do know - I am running IE8.
>>
>>> assume it automatically updated to it recently.

>>
>>Nope, that didn't happen. You chose to install it

> No - I get automatic updates. Did not select to install, although if
> given the option, I would've. The 1st clue I had was the task bar
> problem this morning.
>>
>>> This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my desktop was
>>> showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with a previous
>>> version, but don't remember how to fix it.

>>
>>Are you using a themes manager, like WindowBlinds? If so, configure it to
>>exclude Internet Explorer.

> Never heard of WindowBlinds. My OS is Windows XP.
>

I hadn't either until this thread. Thus, I searched the internet for the
software.
From the site Stardocs.com:
"WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds is a one-of-a-kind utility that allows Windows users to
completely change the look and feel of the Windows interface by applying a
new skin."

Evidently, WindowBlinds runs on XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

Jim
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2;
Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2) when posting in a forum or newsgroup. Please do
so in your next reply.

Start here: http://iecustomizer.com/Resources/Articles/BlackToolbars.aspx

AB wrote:
> I seem to be running IE8 now; assume it automatically updated to it
> recently. This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my
> desktop was showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with
> a previous version, but don't remember how to fix it.
>
> Can anyone advise? Thanks!
 
V

VanguardLH

Flightless Bird
AB wrote:

> VanguardLH wrote:
>
>>AB wrote:
>>
>>> assume it automatically updated to it recently.

>>
>>Nope, that didn't happen. You chose to install it

>
> No - I get automatic updates.


The "Automatic Updates" service will NOT install IE8. You have to okay that
install. If you visit the Windows Updates site (rather than rely on the AU
service that runs in Windows), it will present you with a list of updates if
you pick the Custom selection. You are then expected to review all the
entries to see if you want them all. If you opt for Express install then,
again, *you* are choosing to blindly allow the install of any updates that
Microsoft wants to push on your host.

>>> This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my desktop was
>>> showing through in spots.

>>
>>Are you using a themes manager, like WindowBlinds? If so, configure it to
>>exclude Internet Explorer.

>
> Never heard of WindowBlinds. My OS is Windows XP.


I said "like" WindowsBlinds. There are several theme managers and desktop
tweakers that modify the color and layout scheme in Windows.

Another solution that I've heard of is to switch to a different Windows
theme, apply, and then switch back to your original theme. In the Display
applet in Control Panel, Themes tab, change to a different theme, apply, and
then switch back and apply. It's been awhile since I read about this
problem but, as I recall, there was a similar problem noted when using the
Classic theme.

Have you yet tried starting IE8 in its no add-ons mode? Perhaps you
installed an add-on that doesn't work properly, is an old version (perhaps
when upgrading IE from 6/7 to 8), or is incompatible.

If the no add-ons mode doesn't work, try rebooting Windows into its Safe
Mode (with networking) and retest.
 
A

AB

Flightless Bird
Thank you PABear!!
The link you gave provided a quick solution. Here's what it advised:

"Dividebyzer0" wrote:
> There is a very quick solution: press these keys at the same time:
>
> Left-Alt + Left-Shift + Print Screen key. You will get a Pop-Up window
> Click OK
>
> This enables the "High Contrast Display Mode" normally used for people with
> low vision issues. Instantly fixes --> BLACK TEXT ON BLACK BACKGROUND <--
> No need to uninstall or reinstall anything or even to reboot


It worked!!

Regards,
AB

On Sun, 9 May 2010 20:09:04 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
<PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote:

>Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2;
>Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2) when posting in a forum or newsgroup. Please do
>so in your next reply.
>
>Start here: http://iecustomizer.com/Resources/Articles/BlackToolbars.aspx
>
>AB wrote:
>> I seem to be running IE8 now; assume it automatically updated to it
>> recently. This AM when I invoked IE the task bars were black and my
>> desktop was showing through in spots. Remember having this issue with
>> a previous version, but don't remember how to fix it.
>>
>> Can anyone advise? Thanks!
 
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