that might be a limitation on the xp theme. if you notice, when you click on the start button and then the log off or turn off computer button, then there is a highlight color when mousing over. its been my experience that this color is always the same color as the one when you mouse over your programs or program folders. in all the dozens of visual styles i've used, this has always been the case. so i think its a limitation on what xp can render. there is a program called vistart however. maybe it will accomplish what you are trying to do. here are a bunch of skins people made for it http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=vistart