Could you describe your display settings a bit more:

In Windows XP, are you using any special themes such as high contrast?

In Firefox, are you using a custom theme? If so, which one is it?

Problems with bookmarks and history not working properly can be caused by a corrupted places.sqlite database file.

Do the bookmarks show when you select them?

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox profile folder.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

• Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

yes in Widows XP I'm using a custom theme called Seven Remix XP.

in Firefox I'm using a appearance theme called Stylus Blue by Thamyris

Hi gbrown10, I don't think Stylus Blue is a problem, because it only styles the background of the toolbar area and doesn't, as far as I can see, change how menus look.

The Seven Remix theme might be confusing Firefox a bit if there are significant differences from the native Windows XP color scheme. I don't have XP handy to experiment with these days.

Following up on cor-el's question, if you move the selection bar up and down the menu using the arrow keys, is the text visible against the selection bar (so that you know the text is actually there)?

I'm possibly missing something here but it sounds as if you are going to the Bookmarks folder to access the Bookmarks toolbar.

Your Bookmarks toolbar is just that, the toolbar should be showing when you open Firefox. If not, right click on a toolbar space and see that the Bookmarks Toolbar is checked.

You may need to go the Customize palette to get the Bookmarks Toolbar icon. Drag it to the empty toolbar.

alan_r, that's a good idea, but no dragging is required.

To display the Bookmarks Toolbar as a toolbar you can use any of these methods:

• right-click a blank area of the tab bar > Bookmarks Toolbar
• right-click the "+" button on the tab bar > Bookmarks Toolbar
• "3-bar" menu button > Customize > "Show/Hide Toolbars" > Bookmarks Toolbar
• (menu bar) View > Toolbars > Bookmarks Toolbar

Yes if i run the cursor over the actual text I can see it but if I dont it just appears to be all white like nothing is there. But like I said before the little icons to the left of the text are visible, just not the words until run the cursor over them. I thinking it might be the 7 theme just like you, so ill probably take that off to see what happens. But the real problem is I need to upgrade and I know it but but I'm reluctant because XP just flat out works.

that's because I have the actual bookmarks toolbar hidden. I customized my Firefox and used a bookmark icon instead.I like having as much real estate as possible.The only things visible are my tabs and search bar and whatever icons i put there. So if you click on the icon your list of bookmarks will drop down and it has a option called bookmark toolbars that has a different list of bookmarks that i keep separate. But those particular bookmarks are the problem, like I said they are not showing up for some reason. But here is the kicker, if i unhide the actual toolbar itself all the bookmarks are visible again.

I do that too: the Bookmarks Toolbar is off most of the time, and I use the button on the toolbar to access those bookmarks. But for me (Windows 7) the styling of the the main list and the various "fly-out" lists is the same.

Does the same problem occur with the classic menu bar? You can tap the Alt key to display it, then check the Bookmarks Toolbar fly-out there. On mine, there are different color schemes between the button menu and the menu bar menu, but no discrepancy at the different levels.

By the way, when you say you hide and unhide the Bookmarks Toolbar, are you turning it on and off using one of the methods I listed earlier, or do you use an add-on?

You were right,My windows colors were all jacked up in the appearance settings. thanks for your help I appreciate it.