I have similar problems with signing in - and none of my "oranges" (new post markers) show up, so it's all blue/grey to me  

Have you tried emptying your cookies on your computer, and trying again?  Sometimes that helps, although for me, it didn't.  I have to log in every time I visit the site, as it doesn't remember me (despite ticking the box for it to), and I have to look on every board to see if there are new posts.

Hope deleting your cookies works for you (click "Tools" at the top of your browser, then "Internet options", then the "general" tab at the top of the box that comes up, and then "delete cookies" and "delete files").  When doing this though, it will mean that you will have to log back onto other groups you use too - so have your passwords handy.

Good luck