XP SP3 font problems with Arial Black rendering in HTML

The rendering of the font Arial Black in HTML docs became errant after
installing SP3. It renders always in Italic, unless you specify a font-weight
over 800 (!!) in a stylesheet.
I have created a very simple webpage (with an inline stylesheet) to show the
problem: it can be found on http://home.versatel.nl/lupercus/

This problem shows in IE7 and all programs that use the HTML rendering based
on IE7, like my RSS-reader Greatnews. I have no idea how Firefox etc render
the HTML pages, with SP3 installed.
The font Arial Black shows correctly in non-HTML-based programs, like MS Word.

Lupercus.

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3

WinXP-specific newsgroup: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
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Lupercus wrote:
> The rendering of the font Arial Black in HTML docs became errant after
> installing SP3. It renders always in Italic, unless you specify a
> font-weight over 800 (!!) in a stylesheet.
> I have created a very simple webpage (with an inline stylesheet) to show
> the
> problem: it can be found on http://home.versatel.nl/lupercus/
>
> This problem shows in IE7 and all programs that use the HTML rendering
> based
> on IE7, like my RSS-reader Greatnews. I have no idea how Firefox etc
> render
> the HTML pages, with SP3 installed.
> The font Arial Black shows correctly in non-HTML-based programs, like MS
> Word.
>
> Lupercus.

Have read something on this somewhere, something about replacing the Arial
font with an older version or previous version fixed the problem.

You may want to try replacing the font from your WinXP CD.

Just a suggestion.



"Lupercus" wrote:

> The rendering of the font Arial Black in HTML docs became errant after
> installing SP3. It renders always in Italic, unless you specify a font-weight
> over 800 (!!) in a stylesheet.
> I have created a very simple webpage (with an inline stylesheet) to show the
> problem: it can be found on http://home.versatel.nl/lupercus/
>
> This problem shows in IE7 and all programs that use the HTML rendering based
> on IE7, like my RSS-reader Greatnews. I have no idea how Firefox etc render
> the HTML pages, with SP3 installed.
> The font Arial Black shows correctly in non-HTML-based programs, like MS Word.
>
> Lupercus.
>

"TaurArian" wrote:

> Have read something on this somewhere, something about replacing the Arial
> font with an older version or previous version fixed the problem.

The link to that posting is
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...r=US&sloc=&p=1

> You may want to try replacing the font from your WinXP CD.

The poster mentions problems with the fonts Arial Black and Impact. For him,
reverting to v2.35 of Arial Black solved the problem. On my system, there are
no problems with Impact.
Plus, the modified date of my Arial Black is 7-1-2007 (v2.40), a date well
before the release of SP3 and, as mentioned before, I never had any problems
before SP3.
On the other hand, thought of replacing the ttf for an older version anyway,
just as a test, but I would not know how to do that ... (sorry, I can't even
find the fonts on that CD).

> Just a suggestion.

Thanx for your attention!
Lupercus.

Thank you PA Bear, created a ticket, now waiting for a response.
Will post the answer here.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>
<< rest snipped>

"TaurArian" wrote:

> Have read something on this somewhere, something about replacing the Arial
> font with an older version or previous version fixed the problem.
>
> You may want to try replacing the font from your WinXP CD.

Well, sorry for my earlier response, I found backup of the older font.
Apparently this IS the answer. SP3 replaces the font Arial Black with a
v2.40 that causes the problems.
I found the backup of my earlier Arial Black (and indeed, that is v2.35) in
the map C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$ - I installed this older
fontversion from that directory after having deleted v2.40 from the
windows/fonts folder.

And yes - problems gone!

Very disappointing - even after a week there is no reaction notwithstanding
the promise of an answer within 24 working hours.

Anyway, there is a workaround, please see my latest answer to TaurArian.


"Lupercus" wrote:

> Thank you PA Bear, created a ticket, now waiting for a response.
> Will post the answer here.

The problem is the newer version of the Arial Black font, replaced last year for some reason.

Grab the old version of Arial from C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$. Then go to control panel/fonts and remove the version that's there (mine was dated 1/1/07).

Replace it with the old version and you should be all set.

Oops! Had not realised this is a Vista Forum. I have XP SP3.

Got here on a Google search re Arial font problem I have, when the
quote below seemed to answer my question. I have raised it with the
dedictaed Windows SP3 service, and awaiting reply.

Re the quote, the folder mentioned in my system is hidden and in my
case does not appear to contain such a font.

Any comment on that that would help me with SP3? Or should I just go
away.

Terry McArdle;840339 Wrote:
> The problem is the newer version of the Arial Black font, replaced last
> year for some reason.
>
> Grab the old version of Arial from C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$.
> Then go to control panel/fonts and remove the version that's there (mine
> was dated 1/1/07).
>
> Replace it with the old version and you should be all set.


--
xylophone
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

This is not a Vista-specific *newsgroup*, it's a Windows Update-specific
newsgroup.

xylophone wrote:
> Oops! Had not realised this is a Vista Forum. I have XP SP3.
<snip>