Black Box in notification area of taskbar

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 5
    Arizona
       #1

    Black Box in notification area of taskbar


    So I have a problem...

    I am currently running a SONY VAIO VPCCW21FX with an NVIDIA 310M graphics card installed. Recently, a black box has appeared in the right side of the taskbar, starting from just left of the change language dialog and going all the way right. When ending the explorer.exe process, the box remain, and when highlighting it, the loading cursor appears. I've attached some screenshots to give a better visual. Any ideas and/or known causes/fixes to this issue? It does not seem to affect performance at all, but it worries me that a more serious unseen issue may exist as well.

    Thanks!

    Edit: it should be noted that clicking the box turns it white, and after a few more clicks it goes away. Also, I apologize if this was posted in the wrong forum... I am still unsure as to if this is a hardware issue with my graphics card or a software issue.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Black Box in notification area of taskbar-screen-problem-1.png   Black Box in notification area of taskbar-screen-problem-2.png  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    eeisner said:
    So I have a problem...

    I am currently running a SONY VAIO VPCCW21FX with an NVIDIA 310M graphics card installed. Recently, a black box has appeared in the right side of the taskbar, starting from just left of the change language dialog and going all the way right. When ending the explorer.exe process, the box remain, and when highlighting it, the loading cursor appears. I've attached some screenshots to give a better visual. Any ideas and/or known causes/fixes to this issue? It does not seem to affect performance at all, but it worries me that a more serious unseen issue may exist as well.

    Thanks!

    Edit: it should be noted that clicking the box turns it white, and after a few more clicks it goes away. Also, I apologize if this was posted in the wrong forum... I am still unsure as to if this is a hardware issue with my graphics card or a software issue.

    The thing you descibe is called the system tray and is supposed top be there and is perfectly normal
    Last edited by zigzag3143; 29 Feb 2012 at 00:41.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Arizona
    Thread Starter
       #3

    i understand what the system tray is hahaa id concider myself to be pretty computer smart. you are misssing that black rectangle in the bottom. thats where the unidentified problem is. look at the second screenshot. now imagine a mouse there with a loading cursor. that is not normal. its almost as if that corner of the monitor has not fully loaded.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #4

    eeisner said:
    i understand what the system tray is hahaa id concider myself to be pretty computer smart. you are misssing that black rectangle in the bottom. thats where the unidentified problem is. look at the second screenshot. now imagine a mouse there with a loading cursor. that is not normal. its almost as if that corner of the monitor has not fully loaded.

    See snip
    Last edited by zigzag3143; 29 Feb 2012 at 00:41.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Arizona
    Thread Starter
       #5

    the problem is located behind the system tray... yes where you are pointing to with problem in quotes. you are failing to see the black rectangle behind the system tray that should not be there... the entire task bar should be transparent, but as you can see that one section is black and dark. look at my second sreenshot... occasionally that black rectangle will show up in a full screen application, such as a game or movie. compare my system tray to yours, and then end the explorer.exe process on your compter and compare your screen to the second screenshot i uploaded to my original post. that is the problem.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #6

    eeisner said:
    the problem is located behind the system tray... yes where you are pointing to with problem in quotes. you are failing to see the black rectangle behind the system tray that should not be there... the entire task bar should be transparent, but as you can see that one section is black and dark. look at my second sreenshot... occasionally that black rectangle will show up in a full screen application, such as a game or movie. compare my system tray to yours, and then end the explorer.exe process on your compter and compare your screen to the second screenshot i uploaded to my original post. that is the problem.
    Understood.

    Did you install anything around the time when it appeared?

    Any chance of getting your system specs?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Arizona
    Thread Starter
       #7

    i have not installed anything recently, though if i have not noted it yet you should know that nvidia's installer refuses to install the latest version of the cards drivers (280.26)... it says that no compatable hardware was found.

    computer is a sony vaio vpc-cw21fx, running an intel i3 m330, nvidia 310m graphics card, 4gb ram... computer was bought january 2010 (thats when sony released this laptop). all drivers besides graphics up to date. any other info you want?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #8

    eeisner said:
    i have not installed anything recently, though if i have not noted it yet you should know that nvidia's installer refuses to install the latest version of the cards drivers (280.26)... it says that no compatable hardware was found.

    computer is a sony vaio vpc-cw21fx, running an intel i3 m330, nvidia 310m graphics card, 4gb ram... computer was bought january 2010 (thats when sony released this laptop). all drivers besides graphics up to date. any other info you want?
    Is it there when you boot info safe mode (F8)?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 640
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Nvidia Driver 280.26 - Supported Products

    Notes:
    1. Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release.
    2. The following Sony VAIO notebooks are supported: Sony VAIO F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M, GeForce GT 335M, GeForce GT 425M, GeForce GT 520M or GeForce GT 540M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not supported at this time (please contact Sony for driver support).
    3. Fujitsu notebooks are not supported by this release (Fujitsu Siemens notebooks are supported).
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,302
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #10

    Try running the aero troubleshooter. Have you installed any custom themes. Looks like the aero isn't applying but just over the system tray. Very odd.

    Danny
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:14.
Find Us