Cannot change outlook express 6 font color

Question

I just received my new 8400 with XP HOME. I use outlook express 6 as an email program. When I compose a message I CANNOT change the FONT COLOR. Everything else seems to work in the format section. I CAN make the message text bold, or underline, or italic, or change the font size  but just can't change color. I've scrubed this forum for answers but to no avail. It is set for HTML. Anyone with any ideas please. Thanks, Colorless in Southwest florida.

joe53 · Answer

Hi:

To set your default html color, in OE6, navigate to Tools/Options/Compose tab/Font settings (mail).
Select the color from the drop-down box, then OK>Apply>OK out.

To change the color of a portion of text while composing, highlite the desired text, and click on the
underscored A in the toolbar to drop down a list of available colors.

Propellerhead20 · Answer

Joe 53;

Thanks for the input. Regrettably, that fix does not work. Tried it again after your suggestion. What's really got me bafflled is that when I select the drop down colors under the A the colors do drop down but it still will not change the highlighted text I have highlighted. I've played with the accessability panel too, but this is a real puzzle. This Deminision 8400 is sitting next to an 8100 and I've got it set up to run the same way. More confusing is the fact that all the other portions of the formatting work, only the color is missing. I'm starting to think that this thing was bonged up at the factory. I think it's going to take a real wizard on this one. Where's my .38?

I've looked at the MS pages to no avail.

Thanks,

Propellerhead

Mary G · Answer

Make sure the message is in HTML. You cannot change the font color of plain text.

Propellerhead20 · Answer

Tanks Mary,

Yep, tried that too.......... Any idea what the settings are behind that button 'MIME message format? Such as Quoted Printable and base 64? Allow 8 bit charter in header? Think that has something to do with it?

Thanks,

Bill

Denny Denham · Answer

Propellerhead2005,

On the very slim chance that this setting is changed, open Internet Explorer and go to Tools|Internet Options. On the General tab click the Accessibility button and see if "Ignore colors specified on Web pages is checked."

I doubt that it is, in which case you may have to simply reinstall Outlook Express. Directions for doing this are here.

Propellerhead20 · Answer

Denny;

Thanks for the input. Yes, tried that too so I'm guessing that a complete re-install of Outlook Express is necessary. Funny thing though, that this is a new machine (2 weeks old) and came from the Dell cookie cutter in that way. Ah.... computers, the jig saw puzzle of modern day life!

Regards,

Bill

Propellerhead20 · Answer

FitnessFriend,

Thank you for responding. I have tried every fix recomemended by Dell but to not avail. But I noticed something very interesting today. I sent a message to my work computer from my NEW Dell home computer (the one with the problem) and highlighted a few words in the sentence in Red. Lo and behold. The letters that I highlighted in red arrived in the email in red. But when they were highlighted in my email before it was sent, there was no change in font color.

So, try sending an email with a word or two highlighted in another color and read it on another computer,. See what you get. And please let me know

PS It did not change color when In sent it to myself.

I think there is a problem with the OE 6 program no one is telling us.

The only other thing on my computer is the MS XP Office

Really Strange,

Bill

FitnessFriend · Answer

Hi Propellerhead2005,

I too, have the same problem with my Outlook Express 6. My computer is also a new computer, although not a Dell, preinstalled with Windows XP Home.

In the message area I can change the font size, make the text bold, italic, or underline, but can't change the font color. I also cannot apply a background color or apply stationary.

Have you found a solution to this? I hope so.

Thank you.

FitnessFriend

Propellerhead20 · Answer

Fitness Friend

Thank you for contacting Dell Technical Support.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

I understand from your mail that you are facing an issue with unable to
change font color in Outlook Express.

when you reply to a mail message using the HTML Mail Sending
format, a colored line appears to the left of the original text. By
default, this line is the same color as the font you use to reply to the
message.

"How to Change Reply Font and Line Color in Outlook Express".

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=174501

And

"How to Change the Default Font in Outlook Express"

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=177897

And

"Cannot Change Text Format Using Outlook Express"

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=178895

I assure you that the above mentioned troubleshooting steps will
definately help you to resolve the issue and also tell us what
troubleshooting steps have you performed and the results; we will
explore other solutions.

Respectfully,

Rajat
DT D34662
Dell Technical Support
System Label: Dimension 8400

Problem: Other/Don't Know
Operating System: WW1
Problem Description:

Outlook Express on Dimenision 8400 using Windows XP HOME. This is a
factory new computer (December 2004) and only has factory installed
software plus a registered copy of MS Office XP w/Publisher installed.

OutLook Express Problem; We use MS OutLook express as an email client on
all local computers. This computer is not networked
Two problems exsist when using OutLook Express;
1. I can not change the FONT color in outlook express.
2. When the program wakes up, all fonts are set to be underlined and I
can not seem to change those settings even though I have set the
appropiate settings in the 'Font dialog' box screen. Settings will not
hold.

Clicked on appropiate boxes and settings wil not hold.
How can I check for conflicts?
I have been to the MS site without much success. Do I need to reinstall
MS outlook express or is there a conflict? How to?
Thanks, Bill

robertalexander · Answer

I had exactly the same problem, I think. When I unchecked all the 'Ignore' boxes, as above, it didn't work until I RESTARTED the computer and then, IT DID. Hope this helps

Windows General

Cannot change outlook express 6 font color

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