Rob, Try this: System Preferences > Universal Access > Increase Contrast (Command-Option-Shift-.) Increases (Command-Option-Shift-,) Decreases Check Enable access for assistive devices. Rick >For no good reason most applications has reverted to the 'heavy' >stripy background that was current around 10.2 I believe. > >I've re-applied 10.4.2 and still no change, other users get the same >issue so it's machine wide. > >Does anyone know what file I need to restore from backup? > >Thanks, Regards, Rob. -- Rick Smykla rsmykla at verizon.net