PUB: White Text Frames Print as Gray or Filled With Dots (168637)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Publisher 97, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
This article was previously published under Q168637

SYMPTOMS

If you print a publication that contains a text frame, which has a white fill color, to a laser printer, the text frame is printed incorrectly. For example, the text frame is printed with a medium or dark gray fill, or it is filled with dots or specks.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you are using a printer driver that is designed for Windows 3.x.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem install a Windows 95 printer driver for your printer. If you do not have a Windows 95 printer driver for your printer, contact the printer manufacturer for a Windows 95-compatible printer driver.

If you cannot obtain a Windows 95 printer driver that matches your printer and your printer emulates one of the following printers, set the printer to emulate one of these printers and install the appropriate printer driver:

Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet series II,
Hewlett-Packard LaserJet III
Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4

NOTE: Check your printer manual to see if your printer emulates one of these printers.

WORKAROUND

If you need to use the Windows 3.x printer driver, you can work around this problem by making the text frame transparent. To do this, use the following steps:
  1. Select the text frame.
  2. Press Ctrl+T.

    The text frame becomes transparent.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each text frame that prints incorrectly.
The text frame should now print correctly.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Determining if you have a Windows 3.x printer driver

Use the following steps to determine if you are using a Windows 3.x printer driver:
  1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
  2. Right-click the icon of the printer you are using.
  3. Click Properties on the menu that appears.
If the Properties dialog box has only two tabs, the printer driver is designed for Windows 3.x. If the Properties dialog box has more than two tabs, it is designed for Windows 95.

Getting Help

For more information about adding printer drivers in Windows 95, do the following:
  1. On the Start menu, click Help.
  2. Click the Contents tab.
  3. Double-click the How To topic.
  4. Double-click the Print topic.
  5. Double-click the Setting Up a Printer topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/8/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbprint KB168637
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.