hi da_zman, I know that the graphics display is working in 32bit, 'cause I can still get transparent move window, etc; I've trawled through the registry and apparently all switches are on for "icon text labels", ie; drop shadow, etc; I can't find anything in the registry that can be causing this problem, but what do I know? I've tried your suggestion and nothing changed. You may be interesed in what I have been up doing: 1, rollback graphic driver, no change. 2, un-install graphic changing software(windowblinds), no change. Clean registry, no change. trawl through registry, can't find anything wrong, but I can only look at reg values that return 0 or 1, true or false, when it comes down to looking at coded values I'm lost, no change. It seems to be one of those things.

What I'm looking at now is a rollback to a time I know is safe, I don't like doing this I much prefer working problems out, this is a steeper leaning curve but much better than just giving uo. Don't you agree?