Random black highlights

[Ravioli]

Ive been getting random black highlights for the past few weeks. It happens about 2 hours after i boot my computer. It can happen to any program, even windows itself. I have done virus searches by multiple anti-virus and anti-trojan programs, and i cant detect any threats.

Cause?

 

[VirusType2]

I don't think it's a virus or malware, but some kind of bug instead, perhaps due to something you've installed. You need to search around for a blacked out file information bug in Vista.

I don't see any information on this problem right away.

It could be some software you have installed. For example, a multi-purpose file cleaner utility. Do you have something like that installed?

Try changing Windows skins to something else and see if that doesn't revert it. Might even have to try Windows classic skin, if that's available.

 

[Ravioli]

Nope havent installed any kind of cleaner utility. I have tried changing the theme but that doesnt solve it either. I have tried searching around but i havent found anyone else who experiences this. I cant remember exactly when it started happening so i cant relate it to any program i have installed. Id have to uninstall all my programs to find out, which id rather not do :/


Its not a huge problem though, it disappears when i mouse over it. I just wanted to make sure that im not getting screwed by a virus or something.

 

[VirusType2]

I'm not saying it's not malware, I just think it's some kind of error instead.

I don't have any more advice except you could try updating Windows, though I don't guess that will fix it.

Maybe some kind of HDD error. I haven't had a HDD problem before, believe it or not, so I don't know much about them.

EDIT: I just noticed some white highlights as well.

 

[Ravioli]

Yeah i just noticed that sometimes its different colors. Black, white, or brown. This is so weird :/

 

[VirusType2]

I think it can be caused by the [built in custom] skin of an installed application on your system.

You may not have an option to not use that custom skin, so the only way to get rid of it is to uninstall the application, and then (I guess) reload your Windows skin.

Do you have anything installed that has its own skin? For example, rounded edges to the window, or unique min/max/close buttons. If so, it should be something to suspect.

Hmm, do you have creative audio? And creative media source installed?

I seem to remember this may have caused a weird color issue in drop down boxes for me long ago. (in XP) See, I can't remember if I figured it was this or that file cleaner app. (forget the name)

 

[Ravioli]

Went through and removed the ones that i had installed around the time when this first started happening. Restarted computer and now i just have to wait an hour or so to see if it starts happening again. I also went through my processes and services and closed down all non-windows programs but the problem still remained, so it might be something wrong with windows itself, since it happens across all types of programs and in windows own explorer (start menu, folders etc).

Nope i dont use any Creative Audio, i use Realtek if thats what you mean.

 

[AtomicSpark]

Censorship, a new Windows feature!

 

[Acepilotf14]

I think you got some FBI files and they're trying to cover it up.

 

[Asus]

What is your pattern of use before this pops up?

Are you leaving a window with a list of files (winrar, explorer) open while doing stuff and then it comes out like that or does this happen when you first open the window?
Are you viewing large pictures that take up some RAM or watching and closing a lot of video or doing visualization with music playing?
Is there anything that stays open for a long time or are there things that you repeatedly open/close but the app may stay running in memory?

At some point did you drag and highlight in a window like the above to select multiple files?

Have you changed anything under Windows Color for "Active Title Bar"? Mine is blue and blue under Win7. Tried disabling aero if you are under Win7/Vista?

 

[Ravioli]

What is your pattern of use before this pops up?

Are you leaving a window with a list of files (winrar, explorer) open while doing stuff and then it comes out like that or does this happen when you first open the window?
Are you viewing large pictures that take up some RAM or watching and closing a lot of video or doing visualization with music playing?
Is there anything that stays open for a long time or are there things that you repeatedly open/close but the app may stay running in memory?

At some point did you drag and highlight in a window like the above to select multiple files?

Have you changed anything under Windows Color for "Active Title Bar"? Mine is blue and blue under Win7. Tried disabling aero if you are under Win7/Vista?

1) Basically it appears randomly, and then disappears, sometimes just a quick flash, both when opening and while the program is running. Its hard to explain, next time it happens il record a video with camtasia
2) Not anything beyond normal, i often have 1 or 2 youtube videos running in the background
3) The only programs i have running constantly is Firefox, MSN live messenger, and Avast
4) No, it doesnt matter what i do, i can be afk and just observe and i keep seeing things getting highlighted randomly.


I dont know if i solved the problem or not, but since i uninstalled all those programs yesterday it havent happen again, but il reserve my judgment for another day or so. If it happens again, il try disabling Aero to see if thats the cause.

Thanks for everyones help, much appreciated.

 

[Ravioli]

UPDATE (sorry for double post)

It think the problem is solved after i uninstalled those programs. No random highlights anymore Thx to all.