FIX: Unreadable text in MSDN Library and the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment (320113)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2002), Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2002), Enterprise Architect Edition
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2002), Enterprise Developer Edition
  • Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2002), Academic Edition
  • Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN)
  • Microsoft HTML Help 1.3
This article was previously published under Q320113

SYMPTOMS

In the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment, and in the MSDN Library, several of the dockable windows may contain text that is fuzzy and difficult or impossible to read.

CAUSE

There are two possible causes for this behavior:
  • The HTML Help Workshop files may be damaged.
  • The default font for these windows may be set to a font size smaller than 8 point, which may not render well on a digital display and may be too tiny or too distorted to read.

RESOLUTION

If the HTML Help files are damaged or installation issues are suspect, see the following article to resolve the issue:

201420 How to manually uninstall and update HTML Help

If the HTML Help files are valid, the font size for the affected window may be set to less than 8 point. To change the font size for the various windows in the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment, following these steps (in the MSDN Library, the steps are similar):
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

    Note Depending on which windows are currently set to the small font size, the Options dialog box may be difficult to read.
  2. In the Options dialog box, open the Environment folder, and then click Fonts and Colors (the fourth item in the Environment folder).
  3. On the Show settings for drop-down list, click the item for which you want to check or to change the font size.

    Note If the Options dialog box is difficult to read, the fourth item on the list is Dialogs and Tool Windows, which controls the Options dialog box (as well as other windows).
  4. If Font is set to Automatic and Size is unavailable, you must select a font before you can change the font size.

    Set Size to 8 or larger.

    Warning If you set Font back to Automatic, the font size reverts to the previous setting when you close the dialog box.
  5. Click OK twice to complete the change.
For additional information about how to use the font and color settings in the HTML Help Workshop in the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment, follow these steps:
  1. On the Help menu, click Help on Help.
  2. In the Help on Help window, click Customizing Microsoft Document Explorer, and then click Changing Fonts and Colors. You will be directed to open the Options dialog box from the Tools menu, with specific steps to modify the fonts and colors.
  3. On the Changing Fonts and Colors page, scroll to the bottom. Under See Also, click Fonts and Colors, Options Dialog Box.
  4. You receive a list of the controls in the Options dialog box (which includes the Show settings for drop-down list) that explains the purpose of each control.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This bug was corrected in Visual Studio .NET (2003).

MORE INFORMATION

When you install the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment or the MSDN Library on a computer that has a high resolution monitor, and you use a high resolution screen setting, the default font size for Dialogs and Tool Windows may be set to 6 point automatically.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

To reproduce the behavior, follow the steps in the "Resolution" section, but set the font size in Dialogs and Tool Windows to 6. When you close the Options dialog box, and then reopen the dialog box from the Tools menu, the unreadable text appears.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/19/2006
Keywords:kbvs2005doesnotapply kbvs2005swept kbtshoot kbvs2002sp1sweep kbfix kbbug kbsetup KB320113 kbAudDeveloper
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