[mmichaels1970]

That sounds like a video problem (i.e. hardware), not a malware (software) problem.

I agree.

Try booting into safe mode. Restart and press F8 a couple of times during the boot process. Select "safe mode". This will default your video adapter to basic VGA settings. If you are still seeing the rainbow, I'd bet you have a video problem.

The fact that you are seeing it on the startup screen is a big sign that the issue is video card/hardware related. Malware, except for some extreme "root-kit" related instances will usually take hold after you log into your computer.

If you are REALLY convinced it is malware, you could try downloading combofix from bleepingcomputer.com. If you have some sort of malware that is infecting you before windows starts, you're going to need something like combofix. Combofix isn't for the feint of heart, but it is designed to rip out rootkit viruses.

[A Navy Vet]

"Try booting into safe mode. Restart and press F8 a couple of times during the boot process. Select "safe mode". This will default your video adapter to basic VGA settings. If you are still seeing the rainbow, I'd bet you have a video problem."

Good suggestion. If he sees the same rainbows in safe mode then it is probably the video card or a monitor problem. Doesn't sound like malware. If the problem remains in safe mode, my first extinct would be to replace the monitor if he has one available.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Try booting into safe mode.” <<

.
I did that one better, I booted the machine in MS DOS 6.2, and ran a complex high resolution AutoCAD rendering, and it displays perfectly.

The hardware is fine.

This thing is “intelligent.” It turns the blue title bar at the top of the program windows into a diagonal scrolling rainbow, but only the bar, nothing else is like that. The rest of the screen (’desktop’) is faded horizontal bars.