XPost: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general   
   From: me@privacy.invalid   
      
   >Here's the fix, but it won't stay fixed.   
   >=========================================================================   
   >How to Fix or Disable the Black Tool Bar   
   >By Dalton McVey, eHow Contributor   
   >updated: May 10, 2010   
   >   
   >Internet Explorer 8 suffers a glitch involving high-contrast themes for the   
   >Windows desktop and other "theme-skinning" software. Themes change the way   
   >components of the Windows operating system appears. When Internet Explorer 8   
   >is installed for the first time, certain themes such as "Classic" can trigger   
   >a defect in the browser which makes the toolbar and window frame appear to be   
   >solid black. The glitch is only temporary and is removable by switching   
   >themes.   
   >   
   >    1. Press "WIN" and "R" at the same time. Type "services.msc" into the   
   >    "Run" Dialog box and Press "Enter". Scroll down the list of services until   
   >    you see "Themes" service. Stop it by right-clicking it and selecting   
   >    "Stop". This forces the visual effects for Windows to be disabled   
   >    temporarily.   
   >   
   >    2. Close any Internet Explorer windows that may be open. In the "Services"   
   >    list, right- click "Themes" and select start. This will reset and re-   
   >    enable visual effects for the Windows operating system.   
   >   
   >    3. Right-click the desktop and select "Properties". In the "Properties"   
   >    dialog box, click the "Themes" tab if it is not selected. On the drop down   
   >    list, change the theme to an alternative item on the list. Click "Apply".   
   >    Once the theme has changed, click the drop down list again and change it   
   >    back to the original theme. Click "OK" to any open dialog boxes.   
   >   
   >    4. Open up Internet Explorer to test the browser. If the toolbar appears   
   >    normal, the issue has been resolved. If they still appear black, reboot   
   >    the computer and test Internet Explorer again.   
   >============================================================================   
      
   An alternative solution:   
      
   My Computer->Performance Options tab, select: "Use visual styles on   
   windows and buttons"   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)