Black bar appears across the page when you type text in Word 2002 (303507)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q303507

SYMPTOMS

When you try to type text in your Microsoft Word document, a solid black bar appears across the page over the line or lines in which you are typing. As a result, you cannot view or read the contents of what you are typing.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the color depth of your display settings is 16 colors. Word does not support this color depth. Your computer's display settings may be set at 16 colors if any one of the following conditions is true:
  • There is no video driver installed for your computer's video adapter.
  • You start your computer in VGA mode or Safe mode.
  • The correct video driver is installed for your computer's video adapter, but the color depth is set to 16 colors.
The minimum display requirements for Word are a Super Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, turn on Overtype mode, and then continue typing in your document. When Overtype mode is enabled, Word replaces existing characters as you type, one character at a time. To turn on Overtype mode, follow these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Word.
  2. On the status bar at the bottom of the program window, double-click OVR.

    Note To turn off Overtype mode, double-click OVR again. When Overtype mode is turned off, OVR appears dimmed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods, as appropriate to your situation.

Method 1: Install the Correct Display Driver

Install the correct video driver for your computer's video adapter. Contact your video card manufacturer or computer system manufacturer to ask how to obtain and install the latest driver for your video card.

For information about how to contact your video card or computer system manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Method 2: Change the Display Mode

If your computer is in VGA mode and is running Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition, use the System Configuration Utility (Msconfig.exe) to configure Windows so that it does not use the standard VGA display adapter driver. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type msconfig and then click OK.
  3. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Advanced.
  4. In the Settings list, clear the VGA 640 x 480 x 16 check box.
  5. Click OK twice to close the dialog boxes.
  6. Restart your computer.
For additional information about how to use the System Configuration Utility, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

181966 System Configuration Utility advanced troubleshooting settings

Method 3: Change the Display Color Depth

Set the color depth of your computer to 256 colors or higher. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Settings tab.
  3. Under Colors, click the setting that you want (256 colors or higher), and then click OK.
  4. Click OK to the Windows will now apply your new desktop settings message.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kbnofix kbprb KB303507
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