computer gurus....

When I first log into the computer there is a flash from the upper left side of the tool bar. Almost like a picture flash. This also happens when I open the "Mapquest" feature. Anyone know what this is?

Wouldn't happen to be the command line program popping up is it? It's a simple box with a black screen.

Sounds like a Graphics error. Did this occur after downloading updates? If so you may need to reinstall your graphics driver. Or do a Graphics firmware update from the manufacture of the graphics card. Or your Graphics on the mother board.

It appears to be a rectangular black box with some printing in it. The flash is almost instantaneous. I have no idea what it says. It actually started when I opened "Mapquest." Now it happens when I sign onto the computer too.

I guess the question is---Should I be concerned?

No

I personally don't like it when the computer starts doing something new that it didn't before.

Get a video camera or your phone, set it to record in slow motion (it records more frames per second that way) if you have that option, and record the screen. Playback to read the message.

If the camera needs something to focus on before boot-up, put something small, like a tooth pick or pencil near the area that you want to record.

Let us know what you find!

My son and I recorded it, played it back slowly, and in very small print it said "...SANDBOXED." We believe the word "NOT" preceded sandboxed. This was in the upper left corner of the black rectangle.

Sandboxing is a way to run programs on a computer. One purpose is to protect a computer against viruses or other threats. You open the program in the 'sandbox' (it's own special space) and a virus or rogue program can do what it wants to the program, but when the 'sandbox' is closed, any damage the rogue program did is gone along with the 'sandbox'. This would be like being in a shark cage in shark-infested water--as long as the cage is good, sharks can do what they want to the cage and you're good. The other way I know sandboxing is used is by antivirus programs. They sometimes sandbox a suspicious program on your computer--like putting a tiger in a cage. The suspicious program can do what it wants in the cage, but can't damage anything outside of it.

That the sandboxing is going on is okay,but I'd be curious why.

What anti-virus program are you using? What version of windows?

Windows Firewall Super Anti Spyware (Freedom)
McAfee Security
Webroot Secure Any Where

Windows 8.1

Say bye-bye to McAfee.

If you are a cautious web surfer and don't open and click on junk email links, it is very, very unlikely a virus. A computer guru I know never uses security software. It creates it's own set of security problems and slows down the machine. If he gets a virus, he just reinstalls his operating system and programs from a clean image.

It's most likely one of your security software programs causing the problem.

Typically when I have a problem, I report the error on the software vendor's website. Unless it's a conflict between the programs, you won't be the first to have the problem.

I make sure I have the most current version of each program then update the virus definition files and then run full scans.

If I'm still paranoid I've been infected, I will download and run malwarebytes.

If you are using Chrome as a browser, type this where you enter web addresses:

[url=chrome://settings/cleanup]chrome://settings/cleanup[/url]

Chrome has it's own built in security and will look for problems.

Not much of a solution, but I hope that helps.

I don't know why, but that chrome thing isn't posting right. Start typing from chrome and end with cleanup.