Text on pages is faded, and/or lacks contrast, and/or lacks resolution
Looking at side by side comparisons on my monitor, Firefox doesn't show nearly the resolution (if that's the correct term) of IE. Firefox pages text look like an inkjet printer low in ink. What's that all about?
All Replies (6)
You can enable ClearType system wide for all programs to make other programs like Firefox use it.
- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306527 - HOW TO: Use ClearType to Enhance Screen Fonts in Windows XP
- Control Panel > Display > Appearance > Effects: "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts"
On Windows 7 (this could be different on XP), Firefox's ability to nicely anti-alias text is reduced if you disable Firefox's use of hardware acceleration for graphics. Unfortunately, due to some incompatibilities with graphics card drivers, it sometimes is necessary to disable it.
Comparison screen shot attached (large file). After showing the image, right-click and View Image (hold Ctrl to view in a new tab) because otherwise it is scaled to less than full size.
I don't think that there is much hardware acceleration being used on Windows XP.
It could a problem with HiDPI support that causes Firefox to zoom user interface and web pages.
can you reproduce in a new profile?
Hi cor-el, I was going to file a bug on this and I forgot. Starting in Firefox 22, ClearType doesn't seem to work with hardware acceleration disabled. Here is the same 3-snap sequence on Firefox 21 Portable. It's hard to see any degradation with hardware acceleration disabled and layout.css.devPixelsPerPx set to my system default of 1.25.
Whoops, forgot to restart Firefox after disabling hardware acceleration. After doing that, I see the same issue in Firefox 21 (portable) as in Firefox 23.
Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
For me, I was unable to accomplish it from the Win XP control pannel Display choice, or from the Microsoft site link you provided. But I was able to go to the "Power Toy" link on the MS site and down load the program. Doing so seemed to help the issue. Thanks.