Re: Start Menu dispays a black screen

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

David wrote:

I have just installed a fresh copy of XP Home (SP2 and all updates) on
a new machine along with a whole bunch of genuine applications that I
have been using on my old machine without a problem for a few years.

The problem is that from time to time the start menu plays up. The
left hand side of the panel with the pinned items and recently used
ones appears black and none of the menus fly out anymore. I have
control panel and administrative tools set as menus as well as the
programs menu which is still visible under the black portion of the
panel but none of them expand. Control Panel and admin tools still
react to a double click, but programs does nothing. The only way I
have found to reset things is a reboot, which is a pain.

Anyone got any ideas what is going on? Is there some other way to
reset things without resorting to a reboot?

First, let me ask you if after you installed the operating system and
its updates you also installed all the drivers for your hardware. This
means your motherboard, video, audio, etc. If you didn't do this, then
that's your next step. Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them
from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the
drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor. The older Aida32 is good for this, too.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.aumha.org/free.htm - Aida32 (hosted on Jim Eshelman's site)

If you did install the drivers, did you use the video drivers from the
card mftr.'s website or from an older CD that came with the card?

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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