Start menu / items transparent

[cadlewv]

Hello.

On the start/all programs menu, while hovering over a folder that has extended items, the sub-items area comes up transparent... I can't see anything. In other words, the 'Accessories' folder has several sub-items. When the sub-menu comes up, it's transparent... takes on whatever image is behind it... I can't see anything. Anyone know what I could do to fix this?

Thanks.

[GaryRouth]

Generally, a good quick-fix if this behavior has just started is to try System Restore & use a restore point prior to the trouble.

I don't worry much about Start Menus in general, so there may actually be a way in XP to achieve transparency by changing some settings -- but I don't know of any off the top of my head. There are, however, a great many third-party programs that do this [alternate "themes", "skins", "menu-enhancers", etc.] & some toolbar add-ons offer customizations like this. You might check in your Add/Remove Programs list to see if an extra (and unasked for) download came along with a recent downloaded program. If so, you can also try uninstalling it. And it'd be good to run some scans in both normal and Safe Mode, just in case anything unwanted and ornery is visiting your hard drive.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

p.s. --- all this is based on my guess that you're using Windows XP. If you have the beta version of Vista, some of the menus are transparent by design.

[cadlewv]

I fixed it via system restore, but it's back.

I've included a screenshot, as it's reverted to doing it two more times now. I have the mouse hovering over the HP folder, and although you can see the outline of the subitems, none of them can be seen.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've also included a couple of error messages I've been getting.

[glc]

Have you run memtest86+ on your ram? You may have faulty video ram or a hosed video driver.

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

. . . if you get errors testing the RAM and you are overclocking, try again at the default speeds. This goes for everything in the system that overclocks. You'd enter your Bios Setup screens by pressing the DEL key just after powering up your computer. The overclocking settings are in the "Soft Menu Setup", the first menu on the upper left. Set to default speeds and voltages for everything - processor, buses, memory.

While you're in the Soft Menu Setup screens, check that the voltage setting for your Radeon 7500 is 1.5v (the setting for an AGP 4x card) and not 0.8v (the setting for an 8x card). The menu item that refers to the 7500 is called "AGP Voltage".

In "Advanced Chipset Features", you'll want to make sure the timings are set to AUTO for AGP and DRAM (& the "HT Frequency" should be set to 4x).

--- if the memory tests out badly at stock speeds, and it's still under warranty - you're in luck. You should be able to return or exchange it.
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If you have widespread data corruption from overclocking, it might be best to save what data you need, wipe the drive, and run a clean install.
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If the memory tests out fine, and the hard drive as well (use diagnostics from the hard drive manufacturer's website - they also might be on the "Ultimate Boot CD"), that would seem to point to one of glc's last two suspects - the memory on your video card itself - or a badly corrupted driver. If the fan on your 7500 has stopped for any length of time (that is, if your model has a fan - mine did) - it's probably a damaged card. I had an ATI 7500 whose fan was failing after a couple of years, but it gave me clues (by making a racket) - so I was able to replace the fan before it failed. Wonderful card (great value for the cost at the time), but the fans weren't the greatest.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[cadlewv]

I will go ahead and run memtest86 now. I'll allow for at least a few passes, unless you think I should allow for more. I'm also not overclocking anything. Also, should I run memtest while only having one stick of RAM installed, or can I run it with two?

Thanks guys. I'll post results shortly.

[FLG]

You can run it with both, though if you get errors you will then need to run it again individually to see which stick it is.

[pam123]

You've got plenty of replies I would have suggested uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers and the Control Panel.

[cadlewv]

Ok, after six passes, no errors. Also, uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers does fix the problem, but it comes back, usually within hours.

I could post a hijack this log if you guys use those...?

[pam123]

Run malware scans and see what turns up but it's really sounds as if the card is failing.
The only way to check that would be to borrow an AGP card from a friend.

[cadlewv]

But alas, I have a spare card (MSI MX4000 64MB DDR) sitting right here (almost exact same specs as my ATI). I will certainly swap it out and let you know.

[cadlewv]

Ok, I've swapped them out and as soon as I loaded the MSI (nVidia) drivers, rebooted and clicked on the start menu/all programs, it was already doing it (or maybe it never quit doing it). Am running malware scans now, with Ad-Aware, Spybot and Windows Defender.

[cadlewv]

Let me add this: I suspected it may be Windows Defender so I uninstalled it. The problem persisted so I dismissed it. But then I noticed something weird... Even though Windows Defender is uninstalled, it keeps setting checkpoints in my System Restore module. Could this be part of the problem? Also, how can I get this nonsense to stop?

[pam123]

If the malware scan is clean then give it the boot with this : http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=290301

If that does the job then fine, if not do a repair of XP.
Insturctions here : http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[cadlewv]

Ok, I've done everything, including repairing XP. It's back again. I'm not sure what else I can do.


Oh, and not to mention that after repairing XP, it overwrote my boot.ini file. Now I can't boot into Vista (J: ). Can someone tell me how to fix that as well?

[GaryRouth]

Truly interesting that it behaves the same with a different video card. Are you absolutely sure that the AGP timings are at defaults in the Bios?

. . . if you have recent backups, it'd definitely rule out malware or drivers if you do a "nuke & pave" (erase the drive & clean install).

. . . Gary

[cadlewv]

Absolutely. I've never overclocked a video card... don't know how.

I do have an image from when Windows was loaded onto the computer (but with my old mobo/cpu config). I guess that wouldn't work would it?

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

re: Bios Setup --- have you looked in on the Bios at all recently? One easy way to check that timings aren't drastically affecting anything is to use the catch-all setting "Load Fail-Safe Defaluts" - then Save & Exit --- and see if the video behaves Ok. If the "Fail-Safe" defaults work OK, you could then try "Optimized Defaults" --- and if the optimized values don't work, go back to fail-safe.
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re: Disk Image --- You could probably get portions of your data back from the image (depending on what program you used to create it), but I don't think you'll want to restore the entire image, since the motherboard and cpu are different.

Was this system originally an OEM build? Do you have a Windows XP disk?
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Is it true that each time you run a System Restore it solves the problem for a certain length of time?

And is it also true that the system otherwise behaves normally, except for the display of menus? Or does the system lock up? (or reboot?) -- Does the exhaust fan seem to be blowing warmer air than usual? [You could try running things with the case open & check that the fans are all spinning.]

Do the menus disappear, even when the system has very little load? Does it happen in Safe Mode?

When you installed the new motherboard, did you remember to plug in the auxiliary ATX 12v power connector? (4 pins in a square plug, located near the cpu socket)?

Check in the Bios, and see if the voltages and temperatures look OK - for an extended period of time, in the "PC Health" section. [if you installed the "ABIT EQ" utility, you can check these from within Windows - when Windows is working OK]

Are you still receiving error messages along with the menu problem? Are they the same errors as before?

. . . Gary

[cadlewv]

I 'have' been in the bios lately, making sure everything is ok. I built the system myself, and do have my original XP Pro cd. The system otherwise behaves normally... it's not overheating (low to mid 30s). Fans all blowing (the MSI video card doesn't have a fan, just a large heatsink). The submenus disappear even after a reboot (once they start acting up, they continue). The ATX 12v power is plugged in. Still receiving the error messages (when exiting device manager).

[GaryRouth]

How long does the menu behave after you restore the older settings? Does it seem to matter if the system is under heavy load or not?

Did you try the Safe Mode experiment yet? If it happens in Safe Mode, you can be pretty sure it's a hardware issue of some sort.

- - - I really expected it to be the video card - but then you had the same thing happen with the other card. Not too likely that it too, is failing, but if you have a third card lying around, heck - see what happens.

If you have an extra hard drive around, you could swap it in (taking your current drive out), & try a clean install of XP - just as a test [this can take less than a half-hour with today's quick processors]. That, too, might narrow down the possibilities [and keep your original data safe while you troubleshoot].

Let us know if you figure this one = it's one I haven't seen before.
. . . Gary

[cadlewv]

Ok, maybe some progress. It doesn't occur in safe mode. So it 'must' be something software or Windows related. But where do I start?

[cadlewv]

Ok, I've seemed to get it working again. I started uninstalling programs and ran across a program in my add/remove programs list (via CCleaner) called Overland... and a second one 'overland' (lowercase). I uninstalled these and it seems to have fixed my problem. Of course, only time will tell. But I can see my submenus and I don't get an error when closing down the device manager.

Has anyone heard of Overland?

*crossing fingers*

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

The only mention I've been able to find (so far) of an "overland" in Add/Remove Programs for Windows XP is a module in some HP drivers (for some all-in-one multifunction devices [you know, scan, copy, print, fax]). The module might be in more Hp drivers than those, I'll have to look a bit. Perhaps you had two versions, and they were having a family quarrel (file version conflicts and all). It could be you don't need the module at all, it might be part of an automatic driver update service.

Here's the first mention I of that I found -- http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/g...reg_R1002_USEN
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Update -- starting to find a little more:

Seems that there are several mentions of this particular process, & that it is indeed connected with some automatic background processing. The problem with this sort of thing is that when the process isn't protected well, it can become a target for malware to masquerade in its place. That might or might not be the case with overland - but here are some more links to folks not very crazy about that process:
--> from CastleCops -- http://www.castlecops.com/t141603-Overland.html
*note* - the CastleCops thread is pretty long, but has quite a few knowledgeable techs spending a lot of time trying to track down the module's origin and purpose.
--> and, just to be thorough, here is the CastleCops thread from about a year before the link above http://www.castlecops.com/posts126842-0.html
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Since you've cleaned it with CCleaner, it's gone for now. But it's possible that if you use an automatic "Hp Udate", the module will reappear.

If it reappears, and you don't want it active:
1)One solution is to not delete the program, but to quarantine it, so that it can neither run nor reinstall via update -- the program that can quarantine files easily, as mentioned by the CastleCops forum member, was called "Security Task Manager", and I believe it's available at several download sites. Ok - just found a link for it at Cnet's download site. Looks like it's "free to try - $29.95 to buy". Has reviews by editors and users --- http://www.download.com/Security-Tas...ml?tag=lst-0-1
2) A possibly effective free solution would be to leave overland installed, but to disable it with msconfig - that might well accomplish the same feat without costing anything. [you start msconfig from the Start/Run box on your computer - it is the "System Configuration" tool built into Windows XP].

If it doesn't reappear & your Hp-related device (whether printer. multifunction, camera, scanner - or simply your Hp computer) still works -- you shouldn't have to do anything else [except of course continue to run your usual malware scans - like always].

Best of luck
. . . Gary

sorry this post ended up so long.

[macko72]

I hope you have installed Microsoft .NET Framework and SP2 prior to installing ATI drivers?

[pam123]

Originally Posted by macko72 I hope you have installed Microsoft .NET Framework and SP2 prior to installing ATI drivers?

Only if he's using the CCC.
Given the fact that he's got a Radeon 7500 he should use the old CP (Control Panel) and the Catalyst 5.12 drivers.

[cadlewv]

Either way, I have XP Pro and SP2 slipstreamed, so I'm covered.

Listen, I really do appreciate your extensive help on this, and all of my other issues. I used to frequent other online help forums (still do to one other one), but none offer quicker, more concise and friendly people than this one.

So glad I found you.

Thank you.

[glc]

5.12 is available with control panel? I thought the last one was 5.11?

[pam123]

Originally Posted by glc 5.12 is available with control panel? I thought the last one was 5.11?

There's a sticky over at Rage3D on how to use the Control Panel for all the later drivers.
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33839451
It's not a perfect fit (translation: how determined are you?) but it does work.

[glc]

Actually I don't think a 7500 is really gonna care what drivers you use - I don't see a need to use brand new ones. It's far from being a modern gaming card anyway, that would be the only reason to keep the drivers updated.

Hmm - did you change your sig? I see 9550 in there now, if you just put that in, I'd uninstall all video card drivers and remnants - use Driver Cleaner Pro - and then do a fresh driver install with the CD that came with the 9550 and go from there. I'd also reinstall DirectX.

[cadlewv]

Awesome advice. Does Driver Cleaner Pro uninstall DirectX also? And is it freeware?