White text over a dark background prints in black on Windows XP or on Windows 2000 (838292)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

On a computer that is running the Microsoft Windows XP or the Windows 2000 operating system, when you try to print white text on a black background to a color printer that has been set to print in grayscale mode or in black & white mode, the white text does not print.

CAUSE

The operating system uses Riched20.dll or Msftedit.dll during printing. This problem occurs because Riched20.dll or Msftedit.dll changes white text to black text if the text is positioned on a shaded background or on a colored background. This problem does not occur when the printer is set to print in color.

RESOLUTION

Windows XP service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. Windows XP
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   -------------------------------------------------------
   19-Mar-2004  02:34  5.41.15.1507  504,832  Msftedit.dll
   19-Mar-2004  18:37  5.30.23.1219  423,936  Riched20.dll
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
   Date         Time   Version       Size       File name      Platform
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   19-Mar-2004  02:35  5.41.15.1507  1,763,840  Msftedit.dll   IA-64
   19-Mar-2004  18:31  5.30.23.1219  1,441,280  Riched20.dll   IA-64
   19-Mar-2004  02:34  5.41.15.1507    504,832  Wmsftedit.dll  x86
   19-Mar-2004  18:37  5.30.23.1219    423,936  Wriched20.dll  x86
Windows 2000
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   -------------------------------------------------------
   19-Mar-2004  08:29  5.30.23.1219  412,432  Riched20.dll

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:
  • Print in color.
    You can set the printer to print in color. Because the exact method to make this setting varies from printer to printer, see your printer documentation for more information about how to change the color printing setting for your printer.
  • Change the font color.
    You can change the font color from pure white to an off-white color. This problem occurs only if the font color has the RGB values of Red: 255, Green: 255, and Blue: 255. Other color values that create light-colored text may print as a light gray text on the black background. Because the exact procedure to change the color of the text varies from program to program, see your program documentation or online Help for more information about how to change the text color.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the naming schema for Windows software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816915 New file naming schema for Microsoft Windows software update packages

For additional information about the terminology that is used to describe Microsoft product updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/1/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbWinXPsp2fix kbWinXPpreSP2fix kbfix kbbug KB838292 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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