Windows 8 Strange Issue with desktop flashing on and off

[davidvkimball]

Strange Issue with desktop flashing on and off

My friend's laptop is having a strange issue where the desktop flashes on and off with the theme color.

I did a virus and malwarebytes scan, and found nothing.

I turned off all startup programs except a few.

It seems to work fine in Safe Mode, however.

Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pXMqmvZhhw

Does anyone know what this issue is and how to fix it?

Let me know.

Thanks,

David

 

[my2cents]

Hi davidkimball,

At first glance, I'm suspecting a graphics' driver/card issue but I could be wrong. In any event, could you check the Event Viewer logs to see if there are any entries being logged that are "time-coincident" with the flashing? If some are found, please post a few examples. However, if none are found, do you have an extra monitor you could try?


my2cents

 

[Arpan]

Hello David,

In safe mode, the graphics driver (and many other drivers) are disabled. According to you, it seems to work fine in safe mode. Therefore, we have good reasons to think that it might be (I'm not absolutely certain) related to graphics driver. Try downloading and installing the latest graphics driver from the manufacturer's website.

 

[my2cents]

Hello David,

In safe mode, the graphics driver (and many other drivers) are disabled. According to you, it seems to work fine in safe mode. Therefore, we have good reasons to think that it might be (I'm not absolutely certain) related to graphics driver. Try downloading and installing the latest graphics driver from the manufacturer's website.

It seems to work fine in Safe Mode

@Arpan: I did miss that. Good pickup on your part.

 

[Arpan]

@Arpan: I did miss that. Good pickup on your part.

Thanks mate

 

[rbrewster]

Silverlight as a factor?

Hey, so I'm the friend. There was a Silverlight update that ran just before this issue started. Would that have anything to do with the problem?

 

[my2cents]

Hey, so I'm the friend. There was a Silverlight update that ran just before this issue started. Would that have anything to do with the problem?

Hello rbrewster,

I cannot say conclusively that Silverlight could be the definitive cause of your issue but there is one easy way to find out. Just uninstall it and see what happens. Good luck,

my2cents

 

[BenNew]

I am also having a very similar problem. I am using the same computer as the one in the video and am using a nvidia graphics card. Unfortunately, safe mode does not seem to help my computer. The desktop will load, but as soon as I try to do something, the desk top refreshes and flickers.

 

[Binky Pelsted]

I have the same problem with my Dell Inspiron 15r. I am currently running fine in safe mode. This problem first came up a few months ago and I recall finding a "solution" online but it is back and I haven't found anything to fix it. The PC shop said yesterday that I picked up a couple trojans a few months ago and they seem to have been reactivated. They removed the trojans but the problem persists. Apparently I have hundred of files that are corrupted so the best thing for me is to do a clean install. Unfortunately, I get errors when attempting either a refresh or reset via Windows 8.

 

[BenNew]

What I did may be a bit extreme bit Windows Refresh completely fixed the problem. The downside to this is that it deleted about 300 gigabytes. If all else fails, this is a good solution.

 

[etest8]

Every time the window flashes it pulls this forum threads to the bottom of the threads and I can't read the top threads. I tried to hold the scrolling bar but that doesn't last very long and I'm pulled to the bottom again.

That's one problem with the flashing screen. The other problem is it prevents letters from being typed, so I end up with unintelligible statements. I have to make many correction in anything I type.

Does anybody has any success in getting rid of this problem?

 

[etest8]

Deleting Silverlight did not solve my problem.

The screen is still flashing and I'm still having problem typing.

Last time I received a Bio firmware 3521A12 from Dell that fixed the problem but after couple of auto updates this problem is back.

This 3521A12 no longer works.

So I'm still not sure if this is a Window 8 problem or a Dell problem.

Any help will be highly appreciated

Thanks,

 

[etest8]

Thank goodness this problem is solved.

I don't know how but I just had an update and that must have fixed it.

Anyway, thank you so much for fixing this problem, and making my life a little more wonderful to be.

 

[etest8]

Darn, spoke too soon

Well, good things don't seem to last.

After my Dell (Inspiron 3521) decided to crash from some unknown driver issue, it restarted with the FLASHing problem again,

I wish we can get a permanent solution to this problem.

I so enjoyed the no-flashing life, just wish it could be permanent.

Can somebody HELP ???

 

[etest8]

Crossing my fingers this time...

After an update last night the problem disappeared when I started my laptop.... Wow, is this permanent....

I waited all day just to make sure this is not another mirage... so far the window has stayed fixed not flashing... So this maybe for the keeps this time around.

Well, I'm going to enjoy this no-flashing life as long as it last... so to whomever made this possible : You are God sent and thank you so much for making this possible.

 

[etest8]

Grrr... My no-flashing life only lasted a few weeks, until the recent window update took it away.
Now I'm back missing letters when I type and have no moments of peace with the constant flashing....

Can anybody help me???? My paradise lost and my misery re-started again.....

 

[joesklar]

Grrr... My no-flashing life only lasted a few weeks, until the recent window update took it away.
Now I'm back missing letters when I type and have no moments of peace with the constant flashing....

Can anybody help me???? My paradise lost and my misery re-started again.....

I work at a computer repair shop and have seen this issue multiple times.
It has been difficult to work out for sure what causes it, and the fixes seemingly random. Listed below are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1: Run a full MalwareBytes scan in safe mode with networking, then reboot.

2: If that fails, try a system restore to a know good point.

3: The only way I know to fix this issue is by performing a Windows Refresh installation; though this method will remove all of your programs, (you'll keep your data).

Good luck, don't let it frustrate you too much; there's always a way!

 

[etest8]

This time I'm sure the problem comes from Windows 8 systems. Because every time I get a Window 8 update, the flashing problem comes back.

Just wish there is a permanent solution to this problem,

Since the problem came back I haven't been able to use my laptop like I used to for the past month.

It's not only annoying, it's quite inconvenient as well. Just typing this post took 15 min since I have to do it in between flashes and make many corrections.

 

[Guest79]

Not sure if you got this fixed but we spent all weekend trying to fix the same problem. Tried everything
we could think of. Virus scans, uninstalling recent updates, reloading drivers, etc. No luck. Then, strangely, we uninstalled Norton 360
and the problem is gone. We put a new antivirus on it. Not sure if that would help you
or not, but just had to pass it in. Good luck

 

[David Bailey]

I got rid of Norton too a long time ago.
Use Avast now.
Much better than Norton IMO.