Colours extremely pale

nguchiro

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I just bought a HP Compaq CQ58 laptop and it came with windows 8 preinstalled. I Tried to get it with windows 7 but this is no longer an option offered by the shops. I installed Classic Shell and now am trying to get the colours on the screen to be darker. I used the windows 8 calibration but to no avail.

The colours are so PASTEL and light that it is impossible for me to work. PLEASE PLEASE HELP! :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    compac CQ58
    CPU
    AMD
Tried another Theme for windows ? there are also a lot of different ones on the net. If the colors are too light maybe you have the back light too strong. Don't know exactly what it looks like on your computer but there should be adjustment settings at video card control panel.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Tried another Theme for windows ? there are also a lot of different ones on the net. If the colors are too light maybe you have the back light too strong. Don't know exactly what it looks like on your computer but there should be adjustment settings at video card control panel.
They are the same on any machine I have seen with windows 8. They are too light and it makes it difficult to discern details. I have tried everything. The win 8 palette does not have any dark colours. The black looks grey on my screen. Everything is pastel. I need help on this one guys!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    compac CQ58
    CPU
    AMD
They are the same on any machine I have seen with windows 8.

Have you tries switching to a high contrast theme?:

Screenshot (35).png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
If you post a screenshot, we might be able to comment better. With me when I first used Windows 8, the contrast between the bright Windows desktop and the dark Metro UI was hard to bear until I lightened up my metro settings. I don't see any difference between the Windows 8 or 7 desktop brightness or contrast - perhaps your screen is faulty.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Have you tried adjusting the contrast and/or brightness of your screen? Sometimes that can wash out the colors.

You may also need to apply a color profile, as some monitors don't seem to come calibrated correctly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I played around with the settings but although I managed to get more contrast, when I open a window everything is more contrasted but for the slide bar which is almost impossible to see due to it being very faint. Is there a theme that is the same as the classic windows but with black background when on desktop and with white when opening a window? That would be perfect!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    compac CQ58
    CPU
    AMD
In the personalization panel, in "My themes" There is "Get more themes online" there's tones of them with previews.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I fixed it finally!!!!!!

I just Played with the GAMMA until I got the results I wanted. Now I have vibrant colours and my black desktop actually looks black and office no longer has those ugly hard to see washed out pastel horrid colours. :party:

Now to find a way to get rid of LIBRARIES. I have a long way before I can even get windows 8 to look like XP and windows 7 but I will persist until I tame this damn OS into submission.

Thank God for Classic Shell :geek:

Thank you all for your replies.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    compac CQ58
    CPU
    AMD
Don't know if you tried it yet but looking at the manual, there is combination of keys (fn) and F2 and F3 that change level of light on the screen.
Also, in the Power Options / Change Advanced Power options / display, there is an option for Adaptive brighness, you can try to change it's setting.
Also ; in Help and support I found this:
Set brightness and contrast

You can set the brightness and contrast for most monitors using buttons or other controls on the monitor, not in Windows. If you aren't sure how to adjust the brightness and contrast on your monitor, check the manual or the manufacturer's website.
For most laptop screens, you can adjust brightness in Power Options in Windows.

  • open Power Options.
  • Under the plan that you want to change, tap or click Change plan settings.
  • On the Change settings for the plan page, choose the brightness settings that you want to use when your PC is running on battery (if applicable) and when it's plugged in.




Also , drivers for video should have some controls for settings of the GPU, maybe in control panel or on the taskbar, near the clock.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I fixed it finally!!!!!!

I just Played with the GAMMA until I got the results I wanted. Now I have vibrant colours and my black desktop actually looks black and office no longer has those ugly hard to see washed out pastel horrid colours. :party:

Now to find a way to get rid of LIBRARIES. I have a long way before I can even get windows 8 to look like XP and windows 7 but I will persist until I tame this damn OS into submission.

Thank God for Classic Shell :geek:

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm haing the same "washed out" look. When you say "played with the gamma" do you mean W8 setting or you edited the wallpaper image? I hope you can help as reading is very tough on my new system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Ok, I found out that if I updated the driver from AMD with catalyst software, there is a gamma adjustment that's the most important part of the "calibrate colors" sequence. Still not like a CRT but the text is readable without high contrast mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Hi there. I too suffer from the washed-out effect. However, I am a photographer and all my monitors are carefully calibrated to display images correctly. Messing with gamma etc is out of the question as it would then be impossible for me to visually adjust my images to the correct levels for display on other screens or at the printers.

Although I am maybe not the usual type of user, I can't be unique! I must say that the text is great, even better than Win8.0
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
PS Just a note about Themes. These do not change the paleness at all. for example, on my monitor, a text entry box is white on white and almost invisible. This is the same on all themes. Something like windowblinds is needed so I'll give that a go but although I own a copy, I find it flaky.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
Since I did color calibration it has improved. Waterfox I could not even read the ribbon menu before. But still many sites are hard to read. For instance this forum I can read with the light background forum themes. But it;s much easier if I use a dark and then set unvisited links to white and visited links to gold in Waterfox/Firefox. Also I can watch flash video and it looks pretty normal. No green skin tones.


edit: hmm, does not really work. If you check to allow sites to use thier own colors, you cannot override the link colors. If you uncheck that option then it does whatever you have set as background color instead of the theme. No way to get best of both worlds? There should be a separate option "allow sites to choose their own backgrounds." Maybe that's tricky to implement? But I digress I guess. :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Wait! Don't Go Away --- Explain Your Answer

The contrast problem you solved is exactly what is driving me nuts on my computer. Would you explain what you meant by "playing with GAMMA"? Also, you credit Classic Shell, but was Classic Shell part of the answer? I can't find a reference to either GAMMA or solving a contrast problem using Classic Shell.

Thanks for any help you can offer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Nguchiro's problem is exactly mine as well. He solved it by adjusting what he called GAMMA. Can someone guide me into using the same method? Where do I find a GAMMA adjustmet on my Dell computer with Windows 8.1 and NVIDIA geForce GT635 display card? Thanks for the help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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