Seems like a bug - i cast detect magic - magic items appear with an * next to them, as expected.
If i go to a shop, and view items the * are removed, and if use the item id option then
the id does not return anything at all - ie. shows as non-magical.

If i do the id while the astrix is present the item is identified properly as a magic +1, etc... item.

I did install GBC - but am not using it, nor running it in the background.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

That does sound like a bit of a weird bug with the identifying of items.

Detect Magic is a short-term spell, so the * is supposed to go away after a short while (but not automatically when entering a shop). The item is still magical regardless of the * being present or not. In fact, even if you equip a non-identified magical weapon or amour (with or without a *) you can see on your character's screen whether their AC or THAC0 changes and determine if it's magical and what it's + is. EDIT: If it's a cursed item though, you won't be able to unequip it!