Monitor or Video Card

[Pointman]

I've got a problem that I can't seem to pinpoint.  When XP boots, sometimes the background images only loads part way with all the icons and taskbar working.  I've also noticed that when I minimize a window, it drains slowly but the animation is quick.  I took out all the effects and in the advanced tab on system properties, I set the video to performance which unchecks all the fancy animation.  Just can't get a handle on the problem and I don't want to do part swapping due to funding.  Thanks in advance.

[Broni]

Try different monitor and you'll know.

[Pointman]

If I had another monitor, I'd do just that.  Thanks

[Broni]

Well, in that case, it's not going to be easy to find out.

Do you have same issue, if you boot to Safe Mode?

Is this dedicated video card, or on-board video chip?

Desktop, or laptop?

[Pointman]

Sometimes I'm so smart I'm stupid.  It's a desktop with no onboard video so it's a card (express 16 with VGA and Digital ports).  Clean install of XP with all current drivers with no problems in Device Manager.  As for safe mode, the background isn't loaded so I have no idea how to check there.  But I get full windows if I open My Computer and on shut down and startup.   

[Broni]

But I get full windows if I open My Computer and on shut down and startup

Say again?

[Pointman]

From a cold start, I get a full window of the splash page and welcome screen.  On shut down or reboot, I get a full page display of "Windows is shutting down".  Again, I'm just having trouble with the background loading (even when refreshed) and when I minimize an explorer window (internet explorer windows also) the window drains very slowly. 

[Broni]

Do you use any custom theme, or just natural Windows theme?

when I minimize an explorer window (internet explorer windows also) the window drains very slowly. 

See, if same thing happens in Safe Mode.

Also, try this test...

Go Start>Run (Start Search in Vista), type in:
msconfig
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).

Click on Startup tab.
Click Disable all
IMPORTANT! In case of laptop, make sure, you do NOT disable any keyboard, or touchpad entries.

Click Services tab.
Put checkmark in Hide all Microsoft services
Click Disable all.

Click OK.
Restart computer in Normal Mode.

NOTE. If you use different firewall, than Windows firewall, turn Windows firewall on, just for this test, since your regular firewall won't be running.
If you use Windows firewall, you're fine.

Same problem?

[TheShadow]

I would try several things......

First try a different screen resolution mode.  The current setting may not be right for the monitor.

Then I'd set the color depth to 16m instead of the customary 32m.
Less color resolution lets the screen refresh quicker.

I'd also check to see if there are newer video drivers than what are currently installed.

In one case, on my own PC, where the video was going nutzo, I took the video card out and
washed the video ram, with Denatured Alcohol and an old tooth brush.  After drying, I put that
video card back in and it's been running flawlessly ever since.  That was over five years ago.

There's an answer,,,,,, you just need to keep looking till you find it.

Good Luck,
Shadow