Reverse / Negative Display Colors

Hi,
I have no idea how my brother managed to screw up the color scheme on this computer. It seems all the colors are Negative of what they should be ( i.e. Blue displays as Yellow, white as black , and so on ) . I tried restarting the computer and on restart everything seems normal to the point that I guess it sets the color preferences , after which all the colors show up reversed.I tried going through system preferences and there is really nothing that I see that can cause this. I asked my brother how he managed to do this and he said he touched something on the keyboard?
Any help is appreciated.

Ok, I was going to unmark this as a question but figured someone else might have the same problem. It is fixed.
Check System Preferences -> Universal Access and make sure you don't have the settings altered through keyboard shortcuts ( happens when someone tries to clean or dust keyboard while plugged in ). My problem was it was set as White on Black .

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Display Colors in Negative

I've had my computer for less than a year. My MacBook suddenly changed in terms of its display colors. Rather than showing colors normally, I'm seeing my entire display in what looks like a photo negative. I'm not sure what to do to fix this problem. I've done all of the updates, and nothing has changed. When I initially restart it appears normal for just a moment, but then it changes to this "negative" display.
Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you fix it?
Thanks!

I tried this option under Universal Access but this did not work for me.
My situation is that it looks like colors are "blurred" for lack of a better word. I can see text as long it is not munged by colors.
I thought it might be a resolution issue but I tried setting under Display in System Preference with no result.
As some others have reported, the MacBook Pro can get very hot under the bottom so I am wondering if the heat messed up the display?
Other ideas to look for? Thanks.
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Apple Studio 17" Display colors not right after thunderstorm

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Try Control-Command-Option-8
or select "Black on White" in the "Seeing" tab of "Universal Access" system preference.

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Hi Beeble80,
If the colors appear to be inverted, a function of Universal Access/Accessibility may have been inadvertently activated:
Apple Support: Mac OS X displays inverted image colors (white on black, reverse type)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3488
If the display issue you are seeing is something else, you may find the following article helpful:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
Regards,
- Brenden

Display colors change after start up

Hi, I recently tried to open a Power Point file which was too heavy and I got so desperate that I hit the keyboards as if they were a piano... Final result is that now everytime I start up the computer the display colors are all a mess, like if the "negative" part of the picture shows up instead of the true colors. I know the display is ok, for when the computer is started, the initial screen colors show up well.
I would not like having to reload the operating system to fix the problem.
Any suggestions?

Open the Universal Access pane of System Preferences, click on the Seeing tab, turn off the White on Black option, move the Contrast slider all the way to the left, and deactivate the remaining options except for the one which controls access to assistive devices.
(23938)

PowerBook Screen in Reverse Negative

A family member left her computer on and walked away from the machine. When she came back, someone else in the house had tampered with it. She could tell because the capslock was on, which she never uses.
Also, when she returned to the computer, the screen had gone to negative colors (meaning: all black was white, and all white was black). Not only were the colors reversed, but the colors were in grey scale. I (not to brag) have been a tech for both apple and pc products for the last five years. I tried everything I could think of from reseting properties here and there. Nothing fixes this (pending a system restore). The owner of the machine is working hard on a project and does not want to reinstall the OS or any other applications without trying everything first.
Can someone point me to some helpful resources to fix this.

infinite wisdom!
I wouldn't call it that. There's plenty of Mac info that I don't have a clue about, but thank you for the compliment.
I've actually known about the feature for a long time - because I use the zoom feature and also set up Macs for 'silver surfer' clients (they seem to find the Universal Access features very helpful).
As for the shortcut, well it is documented alongside the settings as well as in this Apple article and OS X's Help system.

Negative display!

Somehow I've managed to change my display to negative, so the screen's black and everything else is the reverse of how it should be!
I must have pressed some sort of key combination - I think I was trying to get a symbol by using control/alt...
I can't get it back to normal - when I restart, it comes up normal for a while, then just switches to negative when the restart process finishes..
Any ideas anyone?!?!
Cheers!
Mac G4 1.25GHz Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Not to worry - a quick search for 'negative display' produced results to solve my problem (control-al-option-8 did the trick!)

Display color difficulties

My young children were banging on the keyboard and now the display colors look like a colorized xray! How can I get the display back to normal?

control/option/command/8.
Or, go to system preferences/universal access, and reverse the white on black option.
They must have accidentally hit the above keyboard shortcut combination.

Display color problem - asking for a color solution

So I have this serious problem with my Macbook Pro.
Some months ago I suddenly saw green colors in black area's and pink line colors in white areas.
Text on white background was extremely frustrating to read, since it was surrounded with small pink lines and flickering.
Note this was only near max white and max black areas of the screen.
I found out that it was due to a hardware failure, since slightly bending the laptop (!!) would remove the problem
Attaching an external monitor doesn't show the defect, and booting in Windows 7 (bootcamp) still shows the same screen problem.
Searching the web, it appears that it was a NVidia related heat problem, known to my model, but the offer to get it fixed for free by apple (since it was a known issue) had already run out december 2012 (!!). I think my laptop is about 3-4 years old, and the battery pretty much died on me the first year, probably due to heavy usage and the graphic card getting too hot. There are small sweat/corosion marks of where my hand are placed when typing, on the aluminium, due to how hot my laptop got. It sometimes got so hot I couldn't touch the aluminium on the top left corner near the 1-2-Q-W keys.
Fixing my Macbook is too expensive. Just getting someone to look at it to diagnose it (without repairing it), costs a lot in my country, and we have no official apple store, only authorized resellers. I know it's probably the motherboard, because I tried to unscrew the backlid and gently touch certain area's on the motherboard with a pen, while the computer was still running, to find out where the short circuit was. I only started this kind of trying to "self service" it, because I knew how expensive replacing the motherboard would be (if that was even the issue?).
I have multiple times tried to place something up against the sensitive area's on the motherboard, and then screw back the backlid, to put some pressure on it, which at first worked brilliantly and removed the color issue for some weeks, before it started reappearing. I think the heat from the laptop slowly makes the motherboard adapt, and the problem returns. Extremely frustrating indeed.
I hope I can one day afford a Macbook Air, but until then, I don't want to throw more money after my poor macbook (which I pronbably can't sell anyway, like previous mac's I've owned, the day get a new. It's too worn out + battery got only 5min on a full charge).
I think it's wisest to rather save the money for a Macbook Air, and try to survive until then. Therefor I was hoping someone could help me with a temporary solution.
In Windows 7, using the Nvidia Control Panel to apply color management, I was able to adjust the individual color output values, and thereby remove the the screen issue! Maybe the colors are not as good anymore, but it sure beats not getting a headache after 10minutes trying to read an article.
I tried the same thing on the mac, using Preferences>Displays>Color>Calibrate, but this guide is much harder to use to get a decent result (since only the last 2 options really makes a difference, but changes the colors completely, which I can't change by going back to the first color settings since then it just undos the last step I just did. I'm currently writing this with a very blue pale screen.
I also tried to use ColorSync Utility, expecting to enter values manually, but contrary to the articles I read about using ColorSync, I cannot edit the values in the color profile I created (I can only change the ASCII text input fields). Trying to save the profile gives me the error 'The Document "screenbug.icc" could not be saved.'
I tried to look for alternative color calibration software, but most of them required hardware, or expensive full version to unlock the settings I needed (like SuperCal).
I hope some tech savy users out there that can help me, or at least make my life with my macbook less of a pain.
All help is much appreciated!!
PS: I've been a loyal Mac user since always. Few things I've learned is:
1) Don't buy the first version of new hardware. Wait about a month for reviews, to check for issues. I had a problem with an expensive MacPro that had to be replaced, but luckily for free since it was Apple's mistake. Sometimes Apple products also get minor internal changes/fixes without announcements, to help solve reported issues from early buyers.
3) Take care of you Mac, especially so because you can often sell your used Mac's for quite a value the day you want to upgrade. I've sold about 3 Mac's in my lifetime, for quite a gain, though I don't expect this macbook to do as well, if at all. But it's normally something to be cautious about.
3) Don't order custom configurations from the Apple Store, if you can live without it (+ it's usually crazy overprices). I payed extra to get the NVidia GeForce 9600M, and was happy with it for the first couple of years, but is now causing me all the problems I have today + made my Macbook worthless.
Stick with what the default configuration if possible, as other configurations might not have been tested carefully.

Who exactly is your comment "I am asking you to fix this problem soon" directed at?
Remember that you are posting on a user to user forum so nobody can really help you. If you want to give feedback to Apple, then contact them directly at http://www.apple.com/feedback.
Also, if you have an iPhone 3G and iOS 4.2.1 is the latest software that you can install on your phone, then there is absolutely nothing that anyone can do to fix the problem if you want to install Skype that requires iOS 4.3 - what do you think anyone can magically do?
iPhone 3G is a very old phone now and if you want to install Skype on your phone, then you need to go out and buy a new iPhone - either a 4s or a 5. Nothing more to it. Buy a new phone.

How can I get back to default in System pref/ displays/ color. iMac 10.9.5

How can I get back to default in System pref/ displays/ color? iMac 10.9.5

Select the iMac option.
27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10), Mavs, ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 & 9.2.2

Bridge displays color images as b&w

I assume this has something to do with settings in Bridge CS4, my platform is MacBook Pro OS 6.8.10.
This question might confuse some people. To beging with, I do shoot my images in RAW files, I even have Bridge convert them to DNG files.
Upon download the images are displayed in color as they should be for RAW files. After editing images in Camera RAW, I convert most all images to sRGB. When some of those edited images come back to Bridge, they might be presented in B&W, though no color is lost to the file upon displaying in Photoshop, and I did not edit the file to be a B&W image. I have DNG, Canon RAW, Tif and Jpeg files, and most of these are displayed in color, but some are not, and I have not figured out the missing link just yet. So to be clear, I have Jpeg color images, displaying as b&w images, but they are color images. Only b&w images should be displayed as b&w.
This problems started once I learned I could edit one image in photoshop out of a series of images, then after editing, i could bring the single photo file back to bridge, and then copy/paste image settings onto a groups of images in Bridge, and all those images would then have the same adjustments made to them as a batch edit adjustment.
But now sometimes I get a B&W display on some images even when I do not apply a Bridge settings edits, and when I never edited the image for a B&W display. I has to a setting somewhere in Bridge, and I just have not figured it out yet.
Thanks in advance for all suggestions:

ssprengel wrote:
Yammer asked a pertinent question that remains unanswered—is that “settings” badge (small lines-triangles-in-a-circle) shown on the B/W image thumbnails (at least). If you’re not sure, then include a screenshot of a few Bridge thumbnails where some are color and some are B/W, using the little camera icon on the web version of the forum messages.
And the answer is NO!. I only have those showing up associated with the .DNG files (Camera RAW)
Another similar question would be if you see a B/W thumbnail in Bridge, try doing a right-click (or whatever the Mac equivalent is) and choose Open in Camera Raw. Is the image in B/W or color in Camera Raw.
A <Control Click> (on MAC), opens the .jpeg file in b&w, as shown in the thumbnail.
Can you upload three versions of one of the images that display as B/W: the original PSD/raw/TIF file, a normal Save As JPG that is in color, and a Save For Web JPG that is B/W? Use something like http://www.dropbox.com/ and post a public download link to the images, here.
NO, I thought I explained that real well. Only the .jpeg file that was saved through the "Save for Web" processing ( that is, the a jpeg the goes through greater compression to reduce image file size for web display), is the image file process that produces the b&w thumbnail in Bridge ONLY. All opened images, of various file formats (ie: DNG, Psd, Tif, Jpeg, & Jpeg for Web), all present Color presentations (for editing in Photoshop, and or in display browsers). It is only the thumbnail of that particular jpeg formatting processing for Web Images that produces the b&w image "THUMBNAIL" in Bridge.
When you Save As JPG or For Web, are you ever overwriting the original image with a new one or do you always save the PS-edited image with a new name?
No, never. I leave my RAW files, as RAW originals, and work on newly names images files.
A theory about what is happening is that Bridge uses Camera Raw to generate its thumbnails, and the images that are B/W have some embedded Camera Raw setting, perhaps pasted from a different filetype, that makes CR think the image should be rendered as B/W, but when you open the images on Photoshop, you are opening them directly, without using the Camera Raw plug-in, so any embedded settings are ignored, and the image displays in its original state without the settings having been applied.
It makes since, (what you are saying), and it certainly does respond in that fashion. Your suggestion to open Ctrl Click, or Right Click to open the thumbnail in Camera RAW, was an interesting test, and the response was to open the previously save color image with a b&w thumbnail, into Camera RAW as a b&w image. So Camera RAW is responding to what is in the xmp settings that describes this images thumbnail to be displayed b&w. It is weird that a browser does not.
As to what is in the window selections for the "Save for Web" editing windows, Presets for jpeg are :
Progressive
Optimize
Embed Color Profile
And I use Embed Color Profile.
Even the Preview button at the bottom of the window, shows the color image as displaying color.
I vaguely remember about a year ago doing some CS 4 Photoshop and Bridge web tutorials from an unnamed tutoring website and guy named D_k_ . It is his fault. Just kidding, I actually enjoy those tutorial.
**** Okay, this is perhaps originating from Camera RAW presets, where you can apply previously made settings to other images and then saved them as Presets. Though I don't have this checked in Camera RAW ( still something goofy is going on there), I did find that in Bridge I can reset the individual "saved for Web" image thumbnail back to the the color image by :
Right Click (Ctrl Click, MAC) on the thumbnail
menu down to the "Development Settings" and select :
"Previous Conversion", and this presents the color thumbnail.
I have now tested all the Camera RAW settings in Camera RAW, by opening an image in each one of these :
Image Settings
Camera RAW Defaults
Previous Conversion
Custom Settings
and then reducing image file size, and saving for the web, while changing file name, and each and every one of these Settings produces a Sepia Toned thumbnail. I found out the images were a subtle Sepia Toned image by enlarging the Bridge Thumbnails bigger for a better view. So I can correct the thumbnail after it has been created, but so far, I can't get the thumbnail to be correct on first creation of the web saved jpeg image file. Regular jpeg image file thumbnails save correctly.

Macbook display color problems

macbook, mac os 10.5.8 updated, display color problem. when i try to fix it by color sync. it says:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Profiles/DCDM_X'Y'Z'.icc
Tag 'A2B1': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'B2A1': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'A2B2': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'B2A2': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'gamt': Requiredtag is not present.
The file is locked. could not be fixed.
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Profiles/DCI_P3.icc
Tag 'A2B1': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'B2A1': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'A2B2': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'B2A2': Requiredtag is not present.
Tag 'gamt': Requiredtag is not present.
The file is locked. could not be fixed.
Repair done - 0 out of 2 profiles fixed.
Kindly assist what to do.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Pictures would help. A good way to do this is to post them to a free photo sharing site like Flickr and then post a link.
Also, you are in the original MBP section, and I think you need to post your question in the newer MBP section:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1294
Good luck!

U430 dull display colors

I got a new u430 touch. Everything seems great except the display. I get the feeling that the colors are washed out and no black levels. Tried a simple test http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/black.php
Unable to see the first 5 black squares. Poor contrast. These are visible in my 5 yr old dell vostro. Is a dull display and lack of vivid colors on u430 normal? Pretty disappointed since display colors are very important for me. Surprised how even a latest display is not vivid. Can someone advise what my options are? Does only U430 suffer from this problem? Are there any calibrations that can fix this to some extent? Are there any lenovo laptops with good display under $600

Did you find a solution? I've got mine rigged to a really old monitor - shamefully the display on that is miles better than the U430 - feels totally washed out!!

Display-Color-Depth

Hi there.
After an application-crash (After Effects) and cold restart my monitor-color-depth suddenly switched from millions of colors to maybe several hundreds of colors. I've tried cleaning the caches, throwing out preferences-files (out of library) and also resetting the color-depth by using third-party-applications. Still not working. I suppose it's some kind of problem in one of the preferences-files in the library, but I don't know which one.
The "About This Mac" section shows that the monitor would show some "Millios Of Colors".
As I can not work like this I made a new user-account. In the new user-account everything runs smoothly but for sure I would like to use my old user-account with all my settings and preferences instead of switching to a total blank one that I have to modify again to fit my needs. Does anyone have an idea what could be wrong or how to succesfully force the display to display millions-of-colors again?
When I log into my old user-account the display first shows normally, then switches to "hundreds-of-colors" after a split-second. Is there any way to slow down this process and monitor which preference-file the computer is loading in exactly this moment?
Also weird: when I connect to my old user account via remote access / screensharing (vnc://...) then the display looks normal from the remote computer.
Any ideas would be welcome. Don't know what else to do...
Cheers, Aeiou

What does it say if you go to About This Mac -> More Info -> Graphics & Displays -> Pixel Depth
1: Try resetting the PRAM.
2: Go to System Preferences -> Displays -> Color -> Select another profile or calibrate
3: Go to System Preferences -> Universal Access -> Slide the Contrast bar all the way to the left
Might end up just being a plist to snag though.

LCD display colors all washed out

Hi,
I bought my MacBook pro about a week ago and I've noticed that the display colors are all washed out. I have to tilt the display down in order to see the some colors.
Has anyone else experienced this?

I am not sure that 10.6.2 solved this issue.
I just transferred all the users from my PowerBook G4 to a new iMac with 10.6.2. On one of the users on the PBG4, the icons (and other images [like photos in iPhoto]) were "washed out" or "over saturated" [I am not sure how best to describe it...] The colours for all the other users on the PBG4 are fine. I tried recalibrating on the PBG4, but this made no difference. I thought this could be explained by the fact the PBG4 was getting a bit old, but the situation is the same on the new iMac as well; the same user account has these washed out/over saturated colours. Re-calibration on the iMac made no difference either.
When this account (with odd colours) first starts up, the desktop image loads and for a few (milli-) seconds the colours are OK. Then suddenly they change, as if some kind a file had been read which changes the colour balance. Does anyone know what that file could be or how to identify it? I am thinking that if it could be delete, a new default would be created and all would be well.
CF

Reverse / Negative Display Colors

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