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Problem with fonts

Lately I have been having a problem with what seems to be a corrupted font file, although it could be much worse.

From time to time, if I am working in a text editor, such as notepad or a notepad replacement, the screen will show odd looking characters instead of the text I am typing, then totally lock up. It has done this to me while in HTML editing mode in MS FrontPage 2000.

In fact, it has done this in 3 seperate programs made by 3 different companies, which tells me the problem is not program-specific.

What I am asking is that IF it is a font problem, what is the default font used in these kinds of displays? Courier?

If it is not the font, what else could it be?

Gareth Gudger

I take it totally locking up you are referring to the mouse stops moving, CTRL + ALT + DEL does not work and the reset button is the only option? If this is the case I would say you have hardware problems (or maybe it is just overheating - all your fans still working?). I think the funky fonts is just a symptom leading to the lockup.

William Fulks

ASKER

Yeah that is what happens...I'll blast the dust out of the fans and see if that helps.

Any other suggestions?

bartsmit

Are you running a 3dfx Voodoo card in 32-bit colour? This causes known problems with text presentation. If so, try 24-bit or 16-bit.

celtics

Check for a virus lately? Make sure you are using the latest definitions.

Gareth Gudger

If the fans are moving then I would say you could have motherboard, memory or processor issues. But don't jump the gun too quickly. You may want to try a fresh install of Windows but before you do that I would also suggest a surface scan with a disk scanning utility like scandisk or norton's disk doctor to make sure there are not millions of errors (but with your symptons I doubt it is hard drive related but I would still look at that first).

William Fulks

ASKER

I am running a VooDoo3, but in 16-bit color. I'll try the disk test today.

I keep my virus scanner updated regularly.

CyberStretch

I believe that W98 loads the installed fonts at startup, and choosing the Logged Mode will created a c:\bootlog.txt file; in which it may show which font, if any, are Failing or possibly corrupted. (Search through the bootlog.txt for FAILED.)

I checked notepad, for instance, and the default font it uses is Fixedsys. I believe the majority of applications use Times New Roman as the default font.

You may want to check through these:

* Checklist for Troubleshooting TrueType Font Problems (Q85286) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q85286)
* Damaged Monotype Sorts Font Causes Display Problems (Q138795) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q138795)
* Fonts and Text Appear Blurry or Blocky in Windows Explorer (Q224507) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q224507)
* Unable to Open or Print Fonts Correctly (Q254766) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q254766)

William Fulks

ASKER

I checked bootlog and everything seemed to load OK. I also looked at the damaged monotype sorts font article, but I don't have than font on my system.

I ran a surface scan today and it found one file (32k worth) and cleared it for me. I'll have to see if I run into the problem again. Give me a few days, then I will award points.

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Gareth Gudger

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William Fulks

ASKER

Thanks for your help...I ended up wiping out Win98SE and am running Win2000 Pro now