The logon screen turns black after you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to log on to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer (906510)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

After you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to log on to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, the logon screen turns black. Although you cannot see what you are typing, you can successfully log on to the Windows Server 2003-based computer. Then, after you successfully log on, the screen becomes visible.

Note This symptom may occur on both the terminal server sessions and the local console. Additionally, this symptom occurs even if you start the computer in Safe mode.

CAUSE

This issue occurs if all the values under the following registry subkey are set to "0 0 0":

HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Colors

Note The value data "0 0 0" means black.

WORKAROUND

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To work around this issue, perform the following procedures.

Export the registry subkey from another Windows Server 2003-based computer

  1. Click Start, point to Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Colors

  3. Right-click the Colors registry subkey, and then click Export.
  4. In the File name box, type a name for the file.
  5. Note the location where you will save the file, and then click Save.

Import the registry subkey into the affected computer

  1. Click Start, point to Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. On the File menu, click Import.
  3. Double-click the .reg file that you want to import.
  4. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The value data for color registry values are in the xxx yyy zzz format, where xxx yyy zzz represents the red-green-blue (RGB) values for a color. For example, 0 0 0 is solid black and 255 255 255 is solid white. The following table lists the default values for the HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Colors registry subkey.
Value nameValue data
ActiveBorder212 208 200
ActiveTitle10 36 106
AppWorkSpace128 128 128
Background102 111 116
ButtonAlternateFace181 181 181
ButtonDkShadow64 64 64
ButtonFace212 208 200
ButtonHilight255 255 255
ButtonLight212 208 200
ButtonShadow128 128 128
ButtonText0 0 0
GradientActiveTitle166 202 240
GradientInactiveTitle192 192 192
GrayText128 128 128
Hilight10 36 106
HilightText255 255 255
HotTrackingColor0 0 128
InactiveBorder212 208 200
InactiveTitle128 128 128
InactiveTitleText212 208 200
InfoText0 0 0
InfoWindow255 255 225
Menu212 208 200
MenuText0 0 0
Scrollbar212 208 200
TitleText255 255 255
Window255 255 255
WindowFrame0 0 0
WindowText0 0 0
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/22/2006
Keywords:kbRegistry kbColor kbprb KB906510 kbAudGeneralUser kbAudEndUser
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