Windows Vista Darkening the selected file/option

I just got my Inspiron 1501 with Vista Home Basic on it. I've never had this appearance problem before so I'm not sure if I "m expressing this right. When I right-click, or simply open up a folder, I can single-click and select one file or option, but as you can see from this screenshot, it is rather hard to tell which one I have already selected. The one in the photo is the top left file. I would like to darken the selected folder/file. Do I have to change the theme, or can I just check a box somewhere. WHen I did a right-click on the desktop, Personalize, and then selected Windows Color and Appearance, I wasn't sure what to do. I don't dislike the theme itself; its just that everything seems so bright--even the files or options in teh right-click menu that I have selected. What can I do?

Thanks.

EDIT: It helps to include a link to any graphics referred to.

 

Me too

I had the exact same problem with one of my computers running vista. After swapping the monitor between all my setups it appeared it was the screen causing the brightness. Just turn down the contrast and brightness on the screen and it should be fine.

 

Changing the theme does it, but it means going back to Classic or something similar. I would not, personly, mess with my manual monitor settings unless something was seriously out.

 

OK, thanks. I'll change the brightness settings when I get home. Much obliged.

 

OK, I changed the color in the Personalize window, to a dark blue, and that seems to provide enough contrast between what I have selected, adn all the other options. Man its going to take a while learning my way around Vista. I can't tell you how long I spent trying to figure out how I can go to a folder, and select Tools/Folder Options/File Types, to change the default file type associations. Anyways, now that I know about the Default Programs window, I won't look for the XP way to do that.