Missing Web Page Colors

I am again searching to find a solution to a problem I posted a while ago. Maybe try different approach.
When I access web pages I am missing the web page's color. This becomes apparent when, case in point, my home page comes up...which is "Road Runner". Parts of the page that are in color, or color titles are absent. It seems anything that is in a solid color is absent...ie: Buttons used to access another page or for referral. If they are in color they do not appear. They are there, as I have scanned the page hilding my mouse button down, and find the outline of the button (or bar), and in clicking on it, I am sent to the area.
Another example is that some graphics...like in E-mail "Sending" pages, the
"Smilies" have dissapeared. Their boxes are there (Google Mail) but no pictures.
I seem to remember faintly, someone telling me that in order to fix this, I had to go to the "Internet Options" area.
I am really not Computer Brilliant...fact is, am mostly Computer Dumb.
YES, I have been attacked by viruses, worms & all kinds of bugs.
My PC is a HP Prof.
Thanks in advance.
Tha last time I had this problem I reformated the PC using the "Restore Plus" Disc. Before I wipe out everything, maybe someone has a n easier solution.

Hello Stan,
Are you running an (up to date) Anti-Virus program and Firewall? Are you reasonably confident that your machine is currently free of such?

Are you using IE6 or IE7?

Have you gone to Control Panel, Internet Options, General tab, Appearance, Colors? (Or if in IE, click Tools, Internet Options, same, same.) Is anything amiss there?

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Dear Dan,
Went to Internet Options (I have IE) then Appearance, then Colors. The only box checked was "Use Windows Colors". I tried "Hover Colors " Box but no result. Prior to my posting I had tried unchecking the "Use Windows Colors", which made all the boxes under it colorize, but did not help.
Thank you for your input.....
Stan

Woops......
W hen I had unchecked the "Use Windows Color" Box, I did get colors on the we3b pages....a uniform ugly set of colors...but did not bring back the "Buttons and Bars on the pages.
I may just completely reformat the hard drive.
As far as viruses, I have run 3 different anti Virus programs & Malware programs. Had lots of worms byt still the same.
I am now running IE 7

Before you go to that extreme, have a look at these two MSKB articles;
How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP

Also have a look at Kelly's Korner IE fixes here;
Internet Explorer in Windows XP
This is a good site with solid fixes.

????

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It's a good day when you learn something
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Location: Alberta, CanadaD-A-L Hardware Scan

Try this, Control Panel, Appearance and Themes, High Contrast, uncheck Use High Contrast.

OMG!!!! Your suggestion fixed my problem. I had no colors, photos, buttons on web pages and windows media player. Also, smileys and my created signature disappeared from Outlook Express.

Here is how my nightmare started. About the beginning of March, I installed CA Internet Security and Anit Virus that I bought for $80 from Comp USA. It had an $80 rebate that I am still waiting for. Well, my computer came to an almost dead stop! It was taking 15 minutes to boot up. That's when I noticed Windows Media Player was screwed up. I hadn't really noticed the web pages yet as I was busy with School and the slow bootup problem. I installed more memory, 1.5 gigs and that helped a little, but it was still taking forever to bootup. I finally uninstalled it and installed Pareto Logic. Boot up time became fine after that, but that's when I started noticing the other problems.

I tried everything you could think of and went to every Googled site I could find. Believe me, if you can think of it, I did it. I just came across this post and Thank you Jesus! it worked! Hallelujia! Thanks Cooper 1111! Sunshells!

Bloody hell, worked for me too!!! Thankyou, has been p-ing me off for ages....now to undo the problems I've created by trying to fix it by myself..............

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Location: Alberta, CanadaD-A-L Hardware Scan