Clear icon backgrounds?

[Lucien]

Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made sure
I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of screen
fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual Effects.
Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
backgrounds. Any other ideas?

[johnf]

Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
I had to go through the sequence several times before it locked in.

johnf

Lucien wrote:
> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made sure
> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of screen
> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual Effects.
> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
> backgrounds. Any other ideas?

[johnf]

Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
I had to go through the sequence several times before it locked in.

johnf

Lucien wrote:
> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made sure
> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of screen
> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual Effects.
> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
> backgrounds. Any other ideas?

[Lucien]

I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several times
but it didn't help. What specifically should I check in
My Network Places? Thanks for the help!

>-----Original Message-----
>Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>I had to go through the sequence several times before it
locked in.
>
>johnf
>
>Lucien wrote:
>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
sure
>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
screen
>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
Effects.
>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>
>
>.
>

[Lucien]

I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several times
but it didn't help. What specifically should I check in
My Network Places? Thanks for the help!

>-----Original Message-----
>Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>I had to go through the sequence several times before it
locked in.
>
>johnf
>
>Lucien wrote:
>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
sure
>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
screen
>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
Effects.
>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>
>
>.
>

[johnf]

Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise Desktop/General tab, check
the "My Network Places" box.
Good luck!

johnf


Lucien wrote:
> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several times
> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check in
> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>> I had to go through the sequence several times before it
> locked in.
>>
>> johnf
>>
>> Lucien wrote:
>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> sure
>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> screen
>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> Effects.
>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>
>>
>> .

[johnf]

Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise Desktop/General tab, check
the "My Network Places" box.
Good luck!

johnf


Lucien wrote:
> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several times
> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check in
> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>> I had to go through the sequence several times before it
> locked in.
>>
>> johnf
>>
>> Lucien wrote:
>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> sure
>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> screen
>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> Effects.
>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have clear
>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>
>>
>> .

[Lucien]

John, still no luck. Thanks for your patience. "My
Network Places" is checked (I also tried unchecking and
rechecking it). You'd think this wouldn't be so difficult!

>-----Original Message-----
>Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise
Desktop/General tab, check
>the "My Network Places" box.
>Good luck!
>
>johnf
>
>
>Lucien wrote:
>> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several
times
>> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check
in
>> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>>> I had to go through the sequence several times before
it
>> locked in.
>>>
>>> johnf
>>>
>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>> sure
>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>> screen
>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>> Effects.
>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
clear
>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>
>>>
>>> .
>
>
>.
>

[Lucien]

John, still no luck. Thanks for your patience. "My
Network Places" is checked (I also tried unchecking and
rechecking it). You'd think this wouldn't be so difficult!

>-----Original Message-----
>Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise
Desktop/General tab, check
>the "My Network Places" box.
>Good luck!
>
>johnf
>
>
>Lucien wrote:
>> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several
times
>> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check
in
>> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>>> I had to go through the sequence several times before
it
>> locked in.
>>>
>>> johnf
>>>
>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>> sure
>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>> screen
>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>> Effects.
>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
clear
>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>
>>>
>>> .
>
>
>.
>

[johnf]

Sorry, can't help any more, you're too far away for me to come and fix it.

john (Melb.)

Lucien wrote:
> John, still no luck. Thanks for your patience. "My
> Network Places" is checked (I also tried unchecking and
> rechecking it). You'd think this wouldn't be so difficult!
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise
> Desktop/General tab, check
>> the "My Network Places" box.
>> Good luck!
>>
>> johnf
>>
>>
>> Lucien wrote:
>>> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several
> times
>>> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check
> in
>>> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>>>> I had to go through the sequence several times before
> it
>>> locked in.
>>>>
>>>> johnf
>>>>
>>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>>> sure
>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>>> screen
>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>>> Effects.
>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> clear
>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> .
>>
>>
>> .

[johnf]

Sorry, can't help any more, you're too far away for me to come and fix it.

john (Melb.)

Lucien wrote:
> John, still no luck. Thanks for your patience. "My
> Network Places" is checked (I also tried unchecking and
> rechecking it). You'd think this wouldn't be so difficult!
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Rt-Clk desktop/Properties/Desktop tab/Customise
> Desktop/General tab, check
>> the "My Network Places" box.
>> Good luck!
>>
>> johnf
>>
>>
>> Lucien wrote:
>>> I tried setting and "unsetting" the options several
> times
>>> but it didn't help. What specifically should I check
> in
>>> My Network Places? Thanks for the help!
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> Did you check 'My Network Places' ?
>>>> I had to go through the sequence several times before
> it
>>> locked in.
>>>>
>>>> johnf
>>>>
>>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>>> sure
>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>>> screen
>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>>> Effects.
>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> clear
>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> .
>>
>>
>> .

[Bernie]

It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
What are you actually saying?
Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no longer
transparent and has become for example black text with a white background.
What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this is a global
setting that many third party tools can change.
The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go searching
for.
Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level has been
set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that can use
transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have to go
searching for it.
I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there should be
a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even that setting
doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
Bernie

> >>>> Lucien wrote:
> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> >>> sure
> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >>> screen
> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >>> Effects.
> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> > clear
> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> .
> >>
> >>
> >> .
>
>

[Bernie]

It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
What are you actually saying?
Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no longer
transparent and has become for example black text with a white background.
What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this is a global
setting that many third party tools can change.
The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go searching
for.
Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level has been
set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that can use
transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have to go
searching for it.
I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there should be
a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even that setting
doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
Bernie

> >>>> Lucien wrote:
> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> >>> sure
> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >>> screen
> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >>> Effects.
> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> > clear
> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> .
> >>
> >>
> >> .
>
>

[johnf]

We're talking about just plain white letters with a hint of shadow, sitting
on the wallpaper (with no visible 'rectangle', as you put it).

johnf

Bernie wrote:
> It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> What are you actually saying?
> Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no
> longer transparent and has become for example black text with a white
> background. What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this
> is a global setting that many third party tools can change.
> The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go
> searching for.
> Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level
> has been set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that
> can use transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have
> to go searching for it.
> I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there
> should be a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> that setting doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> Bernie
>
>>>>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>>>>> sure
>>>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>>>>> screen
>>>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>>>>> Effects.
>>>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
>>> clear
>>>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> .
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> .

[johnf]

We're talking about just plain white letters with a hint of shadow, sitting
on the wallpaper (with no visible 'rectangle', as you put it).

johnf

Bernie wrote:
> It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> What are you actually saying?
> Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no
> longer transparent and has become for example black text with a white
> background. What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this
> is a global setting that many third party tools can change.
> The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go
> searching for.
> Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level
> has been set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that
> can use transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have
> to go searching for it.
> I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there
> should be a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> that setting doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> Bernie
>
>>>>>> Lucien wrote:
>>>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
>>>>> sure
>>>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>>>>> screen
>>>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>>>>> Effects.
>>>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
>>>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
>>> clear
>>>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> .
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> .

[Bernie]

Right click on the Desktop and choose properties go to the Desktop tab and
down at the bottom click Customize Desktop, click the Web tab and make sure
" Lock desktop items is unchecked.
Right click on My Computer and choose properties open the Advanced tab and
under Performance click the settings button and under the Visual Effects Tab
make sure "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" is checked.
So first make sure the settings are not locked then change them.
I think this should put you back to where you want to be.
Bernie

"johnf" > wrote in message
...
> We're talking about just plain white letters with a hint of shadow,
sitting
> on the wallpaper (with no visible 'rectangle', as you put it).
>
> johnf
>
> Bernie wrote:
> > It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> > What are you actually saying?
> > Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no
> > longer transparent and has become for example black text with a white
> > background. What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this
> > is a global setting that many third party tools can change.
> > The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go
> > searching for.
> > Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level
> > has been set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that
> > can use transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> > The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have
> > to go searching for it.
> > I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there
> > should be a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> > that setting doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> > Bernie
> >
> >>>>>> Lucien wrote:
> >>>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> >>>>> sure
> >>>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >>>>> screen
> >>>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >>>>> Effects.
> >>>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> >>>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> >>> clear
> >>>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> .
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> .
>
>

[Bernie]

Right click on the Desktop and choose properties go to the Desktop tab and
down at the bottom click Customize Desktop, click the Web tab and make sure
" Lock desktop items is unchecked.
Right click on My Computer and choose properties open the Advanced tab and
under Performance click the settings button and under the Visual Effects Tab
make sure "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" is checked.
So first make sure the settings are not locked then change them.
I think this should put you back to where you want to be.
Bernie

"johnf" > wrote in message
...
> We're talking about just plain white letters with a hint of shadow,
sitting
> on the wallpaper (with no visible 'rectangle', as you put it).
>
> johnf
>
> Bernie wrote:
> > It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> > What are you actually saying?
> > Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your Icons is no
> > longer transparent and has become for example black text with a white
> > background. What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me this
> > is a global setting that many third party tools can change.
> > The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd have to go
> > searching for.
> > Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon Color level
> > has been set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution that
> > can use transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> > The exact registry setting for this is also global and on Xp I'd have
> > to go searching for it.
> > I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display properties there
> > should be a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> > that setting doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> > Bernie
> >
> >>>>>> Lucien wrote:
> >>>>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I made
> >>>>> sure
> >>>>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >>>>> screen
> >>>>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >>>>> Effects.
> >>>>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was not
> >>>>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> >>> clear
> >>>>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> .
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> .
>
>

[Lucien]

Bernie,
Yes, it is what you're describing (except my icon text is
white with a blue background). I can change the
background color, but what I really want is "no"
background color. While searching for a fix, I've seen
some programs that can give clear backgrounds, but since
XP started with clear backgrounds, I'd like to get back
that way.

>-----Original Message-----
>It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
>What are you actually saying?
>Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your
Icons is no longer
>transparent and has become for example black text with a
white background.
>What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me
this is a global
>setting that many third party tools can change.
>The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd
have to go searching
>for.
>Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon
Color level has been
>set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution
that can use
>transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
>The exact registry setting for this is also global and
on Xp I'd have to go
>searching for it.
>I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display
properties there should be
>a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
that setting
>doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
>Bernie
>
>> >>>> Lucien wrote:
>> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I
made
>> >>> sure
>> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>> >>> screen
>> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>> >>> Effects.
>> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was
not
>> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
>> > clear
>> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> .
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>

[Bernie]

I posted a message yesterday on how to fix this. My guess would be that you
may have merged some registry entries from a web site that were supposed to
improve performance. At least one well know XP tweaking web site I know of
is offering a registry package that once merged changes all these settings.
You'll find the settings that have been adjusted by right clicking My
Computer and choosing properties under performance settings on the advanced
tab then visual effects tab. There is a list of settings that affect how
the screen is displayed. The one you need to change is called Drop Shadows.
Most of the settings under visual effects do very little to improve
performance, as in speed, they do affect how windows performs, as in how it
is displayed.
If changing these settings does nothing then you have the desktop locked
under display properties, desktop tab, click customize desktop, web tab,
uncheck lock desktop items.
The only other things I know of that might effect this are web enable items
on the desktop such as a java clock or you have the icon color level set to
4bit, 16 bit, or 24 bit instead of Windows XP. Windows XP has the setting,
Show desktop icons using all possible colors, removed from the display
properties settings so I'm not sure how you would change that back. It
never really worked anyway as it always set the icon color level to 16 bit.
I use a tool called Microangelo's On Display to change these settings
instead of having to hunt for them all in the windows interface.
White with a light blue background is default if the drop shadow setting is
unchecked. This can also be changed to any color combination you like and
themes often do this.
Hope this helps
Bernie

"Lucien" > wrote in message
...
> Bernie,
> Yes, it is what you're describing (except my icon text is
> white with a blue background). I can change the
> background color, but what I really want is "no"
> background color. While searching for a fix, I've seen
> some programs that can give clear backgrounds, but since
> XP started with clear backgrounds, I'd like to get back
> that way.
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> >What are you actually saying?
> >Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your
> Icons is no longer
> >transparent and has become for example black text with a
> white background.
> >What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me
> this is a global
> >setting that many third party tools can change.
> >The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd
> have to go searching
> >for.
> >Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon
> Color level has been
> >set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution
> that can use
> >transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> >The exact registry setting for this is also global and
> on Xp I'd have to go
> >searching for it.
> >I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display
> properties there should be
> >a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> that setting
> >doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> >Bernie
> >
> >> >>>> Lucien wrote:
> >> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I
> made
> >> >>> sure
> >> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >> >>> screen
> >> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >> >>> Effects.
> >> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was
> not
> >> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> >> > clear
> >> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> .
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> .
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Lucien]

Bernie,
Yes, it is what you're describing (except my icon text is
white with a blue background). I can change the
background color, but what I really want is "no"
background color. While searching for a fix, I've seen
some programs that can give clear backgrounds, but since
XP started with clear backgrounds, I'd like to get back
that way.

>-----Original Message-----
>It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
>What are you actually saying?
>Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your
Icons is no longer
>transparent and has become for example black text with a
white background.
>What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me
this is a global
>setting that many third party tools can change.
>The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd
have to go searching
>for.
>Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon
Color level has been
>set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution
that can use
>transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
>The exact registry setting for this is also global and
on Xp I'd have to go
>searching for it.
>I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display
properties there should be
>a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
that setting
>doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
>Bernie
>
>> >>>> Lucien wrote:
>> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I
made
>> >>> sure
>> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
>> >>> screen
>> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
>> >>> Effects.
>> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was
not
>> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
>> > clear
>> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> .
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>

[Bernie]

I posted a message yesterday on how to fix this. My guess would be that you
may have merged some registry entries from a web site that were supposed to
improve performance. At least one well know XP tweaking web site I know of
is offering a registry package that once merged changes all these settings.
You'll find the settings that have been adjusted by right clicking My
Computer and choosing properties under performance settings on the advanced
tab then visual effects tab. There is a list of settings that affect how
the screen is displayed. The one you need to change is called Drop Shadows.
Most of the settings under visual effects do very little to improve
performance, as in speed, they do affect how windows performs, as in how it
is displayed.
If changing these settings does nothing then you have the desktop locked
under display properties, desktop tab, click customize desktop, web tab,
uncheck lock desktop items.
The only other things I know of that might effect this are web enable items
on the desktop such as a java clock or you have the icon color level set to
4bit, 16 bit, or 24 bit instead of Windows XP. Windows XP has the setting,
Show desktop icons using all possible colors, removed from the display
properties settings so I'm not sure how you would change that back. It
never really worked anyway as it always set the icon color level to 16 bit.
I use a tool called Microangelo's On Display to change these settings
instead of having to hunt for them all in the windows interface.
White with a light blue background is default if the drop shadow setting is
unchecked. This can also be changed to any color combination you like and
themes often do this.
Hope this helps
Bernie

"Lucien" > wrote in message
...
> Bernie,
> Yes, it is what you're describing (except my icon text is
> white with a blue background). I can change the
> background color, but what I really want is "no"
> background color. While searching for a fix, I've seen
> some programs that can give clear backgrounds, but since
> XP started with clear backgrounds, I'd like to get back
> that way.
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >It's been awhile since I delved into this matter.
> >What are you actually saying?
> >Are you saying the rectangle around the text under your
> Icons is no longer
> >transparent and has become for example black text with a
> white background.
> >What this has to do with Network Places is beyond me
> this is a global
> >setting that many third party tools can change.
> >The exact registry setting on XP is something that I'd
> have to go searching
> >for.
> >Your Clear Icon Background post indicates that the Icon
> Color level has been
> >set to 256 colors or 16 colors instead of a resolution
> that can use
> >transparency and blending like Windows XP color level.
> >The exact registry setting for this is also global and
> on Xp I'd have to go
> >searching for it.
> >I don't use my Xp machine much but under Display
> properties there should be
> >a setting to show Icons using all possible colors. Even
> that setting
> >doesn't show Icons using all possible colors though.
> >Bernie
> >
> >> >>>> Lucien wrote:
> >> >>>>> Somehow I lost my clear icon text background. I
> made
> >> >>> sure
> >> >>>>> I enabled "drop down shadow" and "smooth edges of
> >> >>> screen
> >> >>>>> fonts" in System> Advanced> Performance> Visual
> >> >>> Effects.
> >> >>>>> Also made sure "lock web items on desktop" was
> not
> >> >>>>> enabled. Other users on same computer still have
> >> > clear
> >> >>>>> backgrounds. Any other ideas?
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> .
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> .
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >.
> >