Windows 8.1 High Contrast Themes Issues
I have a newly build windows 8.1 64-bit computer with a fresh install of firefox 40.0.3. Firefox works fine in the Windows non-"high contrast themes" mode but with I use any of the high contrast themes or the Windows ClassicXP theme firefox does not work well. One example is the background color and font color on the bookmark tab is different, the background goes to black if it is extended and in some cases the lines of text for each link overlap each other. I have been reading a great deal in the support area about people who have has similar problems and one of the common suggestions is to disable "high contrast themes".
My question is this: Is there a bug fix on the way that will allow firefox to operate as it should when using any of the high contrast themes?
If not I would highly encourage that this be done. I for one don't want to be limited to using the other unsightly themes that Windows 8.1 has to offer. I will certainly explore other options if this is a 'bug' that is not going to be fixed.
Alle antwurden (3)
Thank you for raising this issue. Due to the vastness of the bug tracking system, I don't know what is in the works for high contrast themes. It is easier to search for specific bad behaviors that need to be corrected.
You mentioned the problem with the background color of the Bookmarks menu on the menu bar in this thread: Long Bookmark Dropdown Tab goes Black when Extended. However, that thread is marked solved. Are you saying that it still is a problem for you, in other words, this is not a "hardware acceleration" issue?
What is the problem with the bookmark menu text: do the lines "wrap" down and that causes an overlap, or is the vertical spacing occasionally incorrect? It's actually difficult to see how that could be affected by your Windows theme...
Can you rule out Classic Theme Restorer and custom style rules as potential culprits by testing in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions, custom style rules, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.
If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.
If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
- Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
and OK the restart.
Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).
Any difference?
I performed a firefox refresh and started it in safe-mode. The bookmark tab I am having trouble with is the one available when the Menu Bar is checked. The bookmark tab on the right side of the screen appears to be working in all situations. The bookmark tab on the menu bar does change colors and the text overlaps in safe-mode when using the high contrast themes and also when using the Classic Windows theme. When using the non-high contrast themes it works fine.
When the bookmark tab is displaying the dark background and overlapping text, if you stop moving the pointer and wait 4 seconds it will appear normal and you can select the link you need. If you move the pointer either up or down the list to extend the list it will appear black again.
I thought I had this resolved but as I was tweaking my theme colors I discovered it only happens with the high contrast themes.
Hmm, I did find a bug report referring to white text on white background for the Bookmarks menu on Windows 8.1 back in 2005: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=697836#c7. Perhaps this is the same issue, just with the colors reversed? Although numerous high contrast bugs have been fixed over the years, that one seems to have failed to coalesce around a single issue and gotten muddled. A new bug filing might help.
In the meantime, you probably could work around this problem using a custom style rule, applied using either the Stylish extension or a userChrome.css file. Hopefully someone can develop the code for you (or I can look into it later this week).