Colored Text In All .txt Files

F'g weird. Clean fresh W7P install, one day in and despite clean scans for virus and malware, I'm nevertheless finding slightly noticeable colored letters in my txt documents.

Each letter has its own color, a few are black, and numbers remain black. No matter if typed freshly or pasted, colored letters remain the 'rule of the day'.

And no, none of Windows Explorer's folder and file names exhibit this issue. and neither does it appear as I type in this post.

The only thing odd about this "clean fresh" install, is I can't yet get M$ to install their Service Pack 1, or I should say, it 'installs', but the very next update I install, Windows update prompts me to install SP-1, then fails to succeed at installing a second time.

And no matter if I uninstall the aberrant SP-1 or not, still WU fails at succeeding at installing SP-1. Heck, I even reinstalled to an old saved system image and still no soap.

Of minor note, once I can get it to 'succeed' in supposedly installing, as soon as I go to install any more updates, the supposedly installed SP-1 disappears from the installed list, then absolutely refuses installing again.

I'm left now with having installed zero updates from Windows Update, as I'm uncertain what the SOB's have planned for me next (app's for that 'indignant-paranoia').

And yes I tried manually installing the SP-1, as I did succeed in obtaining an .iso of it, but all my CD's and DVD's so far fail at getting it burnt (so then I could run the SP-1 from disc).

So what I've got is a 'light speed' OS, but few to 'no places to go'. I was lucky enoungh to get an old Firefox browser to install and work, but to even do that nowadays, one or at I did, had/has to remove Internet Explorer first from Windows programs, and only then could I get the Firefox to run so much as to display a few https sites.

I swear M$'s holding their SP-1 hostage, in expectation that doing so will force us to shell out bucks for Windows 10 (just so M$ can rake in more dough for charging users to install and use their Windows Media Center(, hence my indignacy over this whole SP-1 issue.

Still looking into WUSA software that purports the ability to 'slipstream all updates and patches' via their scan of our machine and subsequent use of their open source software. But it's unlikely I'll ever get past the learning curve to do that.

Any who, any body having either insight or sympathy for my predicament, replies appreciated.

So, best regards and 'happ-ier-trails' to all,

















so I can at least update my browser and access https sites,

 

Each letter has its own color, a few are black, and numbers remain black. No matter if typed freshly or pasted, colored letters remain the 'rule of the day'.

And no, none of Windows Explorer's folder and file names exhibit this issue. and neither does it appear as I type in this post.

The only thing odd about this "clean fresh" install, is I can't yet get M$ to install their Service Pack 1, or I should say, it 'installs', but the very next update I install, Windows update prompts me to install SP-1, then fails to succeed at installing a second time.

And no matter if I uninstall the aberrant SP-1 or not, still WU fails at succeeding at installing SP-1. Heck, I even reinstalled to an old saved system image and still no soap.

Of minor note, once I can get it to 'succeed' in supposedly installing, as soon as I go to install any more updates, the supposedly installed SP-1 disappears from the installed list, then absolutely refuses installing again.

I'm left now with having installed zero updates from Windows Update, as I'm uncertain what the SOB's have planned for me next (app's for that 'indignant-paranoia').

And yes I tried manually installing the SP-1, as I did succeed in obtaining an .iso of it, but all my CD's and DVD's so far fail at getting it burnt (so then I could run the SP-1 from disc).

So what I've got is a 'light speed' OS, but few to 'no places to go'. I was lucky enoungh to get an old Firefox browser to install and work, but to even do that nowadays, one or at I did, had/has to remove Internet Explorer first from Windows programs, and only then could I get the Firefox to run so much as to display a few https sites.

I swear M$'s holding their SP-1 hostage, in expectation that doing so will force us to shell out bucks for Windows 10 (just so M$ can rake in more dough for charging users to install and use their Windows Media Center, (hence my indignacy over this whole SP-1 issue).

Still looking into WUSA software that purports the ability to 'slipstream all updates and patches' via their scan of our machine and subsequent use of their open source software. But I may not get past the learning curve for doing that, as it's not a 'turnkey' type application, close but, as no support, I'm uncertain I can get it to work.

Any who, any body having either insight or sympathy for my predicament, replies appreciated.

So, best regards and 'happ-ier-trails' to all,

uuguru

 

Crap, no means to edit and then POST IT correctly without my typos. Oh well sorry for the dup post.

 

Have you done any standard maintenance scans?

1. System File Checker:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb...l-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files
follow the guide for Win 7 very carefully and very accurately. See the section lower down on how to generate a text file of the scan to your desktop

2. Disk Check:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2641432/check-your-hard-disk-for-errors-in-windows-7

3. If you have any belief at all it is malware related then carry out the steps in the MajorGeeks Read & Run Me First Guide and then AFTER post a new thread in the Specialist Malware Forum (NOT here). Attach the scan logs required in that guide, NO others.

 

Are you using onboard graphics?

 

Much grass for replies. good ones!

Will follow your lead Max. as soon as I can get more than an hr's dleep in any given night.

I have thought about trying something radical like getting a handle on this malware concern.

Unbelievably, hrs after I posted, I finally found a source for that SP-1 and while certain it was another run-around by M$ (dangling the SP-1 under my nose, only to have no means of installing it).

For some reason (maybe getting the remainder of the HP drivers installed, go figue if that's what was keeping me from accessing most https sites, was certain it was the lack of SP-1 and nothing else), but all of a sudden my browser started working with M$'s website, even downloading me the .msu.

App's for saying so here, but I've had it with WUC, the thing seemed to have snuck in it's newest Client, when I downloaded the .msu.

A swift kick in it's system restore, rid it from 'my' system.

As for Eldon, thanks for the querying suggestions of on-board graphics, but being no gamer or artsy-f artsy, I couldn't begin to tell you much if anything about graphics. So Eldon, Sir, the answer has to be nope.

As for the colored letters, kind of embarrassing as it's dawned on me that I did a baaad thing, ie; I have one colored folder, left over from the previous OS, which back some years ago, I then risked installing an app' for that.

While the app' surely is history, perhaps Windows registry has a built in tolerance for handling even a single copy of a colored folder. I know I don't have it on the fresh install, but I do recall having recently noticed it on my ext hdd.

I was inclined to delete it, but I opened that folder just to make sure nothing was in it, and I forget exactly what I saw, but I think just opening that zero bytes folder, it seemed to lead to a folder or file somewhere on the system.

It kinda freaked me out and I think I noticed it wasn't zero bytes,, so I opened it Surely this's why now I'm seeing slightly noticable colored letters, thankfully only in text docs. And until I poke around some more, I'm hoping I've already deleted the little bugger.

As for the WUSA thing, the more I read about it's semi-automated processes, the learning curve seems to be shrinking. Love the idea of muzzling WU/WUC and having all my updates stored (for slip-streaming every patch, band-aid and the like) as I'm planning/hoping to soon have a get on-board with quick, easy re-installs), plus no more getting mauled.

I can't count the times WU has erased 'my' system restore points, but if at all possible, I'm slamming the brakes on any more of train wrecks.

App's up the ying-yang for the micro-rant, but its just so infuriating how Microsoft is not so micro and not so soft.

Again, I'm pretty sure if I rid that blue folder, maybe the issue will subside. At the very least maybe this post's title will save some other soul from wondering if they were going blind or what, maybe worse.

Thanks again for putting up with me, and thanks heaps for the replies.

Best regards otherwise, and happ-e-trails to all,

uuguru

 

Well, I want to say something in the nicest possible way - you are rambling. For your own benefit, when you are refreshed and can focus, carry out points 1-3 in post #4 above.

 

Yes, thanks for being polite.

Just now located that single blue folder on my ext hdd, deleted it.

Then used ccleaner to wipe the usual from registry and unused programs, links and the like.

Presto, no more colored letters.

Best regards otherwise, and happ-e-trails to all, and to all. a good night,

uuguru.

 

Great - glad it is sorted!