Windows Explorer + other graphics progs lockup when previewing thumbnails...

[Daniel \Naughty Tentacles\ Blakemore]

I recently purchased a fancy second-user PC system from my local indie
computer shop, to replace my ancient steam-powered and *dead* old PC. Just
the basics to start with (WinXP Home, Athlon 1800 1.5GHz CPU, 256MB DDR RAM,
builtin sound card and graphics card), and I finally got around to buying
some upgrades for it. (bumped up the mem to 768MB DDR, put in a basic sound
card, extra USB ports..) Problem is, I just bought a nice, fancy new 3D card
(GeForce FX5200)...and I'm starting to get some minor probs with windows
explorer ever since I installed it (no probs with the 3D card itself when
it's running things it's supposed to, just when I'm using Windows explorer
to view large amounts of pics in thumbnail mode. I know, I know...it might
not be the 3d Card, but it only started when I bought the darn thing...
I've d/led all the latest drivers for everything, tried turning off the
thumbnail cache, run various antivirus/spyware/registry cleaner. Nothing
seems to help.
I've noticed that it seems to happen more (but not exclusively) when it's
having to preview or thumbnail various movie files. Windows explorer (and
recently, ACDSEE 5.01) locks up, "not responding" and all that...I have to
use Task Manager to get out of it

If any of you dudes are techie-minded enough to help me work out what the
problem might be, or point me in the direction of someone who could, I'd be
eternally grateful!

Also...any of you guys know any cheap or free graphics programs? (both for
displaying and creating ) Windows Paint sucks...

 

[Heirloom]

Right click a vacant area of the Desktop, from the menu, select Properties.
Click the Settings tab, then the Advanced button and then the Troubleshoot
tab. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to one notch above
None.....Apply and OK out. Reboot your machine and try things again. If
that helps, *suspect* the video drivers and or the new card. Another
thought would be the Power Supply for the 'demanding' video card, plus the
added sound card and the rest. See what the Power Supply is rated for....
if it is a low output, low quality (<250W), you may need to upgrade it.

A really good and free graphics proggy.....lots of accollades for
Irfanview..... www.irfanview.com .
Heirloom, old and must go eat

"Daniel "Naughty Tentacles" Blakemore"

 

[Daniel \Naughty Tentacles\ Blakemore]

Right click a vacant area of the Desktop, from the menu, select

Properties. Click the Settings tab, then the Advanced button and then the
Troubleshoot tab. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to one notch
above None.....Apply and OK out. Reboot your machine and try things
again. If that helps, *suspect* the video drivers and or the new card.

Well, at least I know it's not the video card any more, then.. .

Another

thought would be the Power Supply for the 'demanding' video card, plus the
added sound card and the rest. See what the Power Supply is rated
for....
if it is a low output, low quality (<250W), you may need to upgrade it.

....or this

A really good and free graphics proggy.....lots of accollades for
Irfanview..... www.irfanview.com .

Much obliged!