The middle dot character is not centered correctly if you use the Arial Black font or the Impact font on a Windows XP-based computer or on a Windows 2000-based computer with Service Pack 4 (892598)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4

SYMPTOMS

If you use the Arial Black font or the Impact font, the middle dot character may not be centered correctly. This symptom occurs if you use either of these fonts in a text-editing program such as Microsoft Word, Notepad, or WordPad on either of these types of computers:
  • A Microsoft Windows XP-based computer.
  • A Windows 2000-based computer that has been upgraded to Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4)
However, the middle dot character appears centered when you use any other Windows font in the text-editing program.

This problem may also occur when you install the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 Security Update on a computer that is running either Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) or Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Note To enter the middle dot character, hold down the ALT key while you type 0183 on the numeric keypad.

RESOLUTION

Windows XP 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, we recommend 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 telephone 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.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File attributes

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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.
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   ------------------------------------------------------
   18-Nov-2004  22:49                 118,832  Ariblk.ttf
   28-Dec-2004  19:17  6.0.2800.1106  233,712  Ariimp.exe
   18-Nov-2004  22:49                 137,448  Impact.ttf

RESOLUTION

Windows 2000 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, 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 attributes

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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.
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   ------------------------------------------------------
   18-Nov-2004  22:49                 118,832  Ariblk.ttf
   28-Dec-2004  19:17  6.0.2800.1106  233,712  Ariimp.exe
   18-Nov-2004  22:49                 137,448  Impact.ttf

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software 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

For more information about the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 Security Update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-011.mspx

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/1/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbWinXPsp2fix kbWinXPpreSP2fix kbfix kbbug KB892598
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