erase the virtual stonehenge from my desktop, I beg you

November 20, 2008 12:15 PM

I am using a borrowed Toshiba Tecra M7 laptop, and three phantom dropshadow rectangles have appeared on the screen. They overlay any application I open and are annoying. Does anyone know how to get rid of these? I've turned off all the desktop effects I could find. Thanks!
posted by mecran01 to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh, and this is a windows xp TABLET.
posted by mecran01 at 12:17 PM on November 20, 2008

Part of the electronics driving your display is broken. This won't go away.
posted by dunkadunc at 12:36 PM on November 20, 2008

Response by poster: Oh, that is a bummer. The display is also missing a few pixels. Fortunately the project that requires this dreaded pc will be completed tomorrow or the next day and I can retire this crappy, annoying machine. Thanks!
posted by mecran01 at 12:42 PM on November 20, 2008

I've had computers with this problem in the past and it's been livable, but as long as whoever you're borrowing it from won't care, I think you're all set.
posted by dunkadunc at 1:17 PM on November 20, 2008

Response by poster: It's a surplus machine from work, so no problem.
posted by mecran01 at 1:19 PM on November 20, 2008

Best answer: A second reboot and the mystery dropshadow are gone!
posted by mecran01 at 1:55 PM on November 20, 2008

I've had the same thing happen on my computer too. A reboot fixed it for me too.
posted by DMan at 3:30 PM on November 20, 2008