Windows "minimize, maximize, & close" images change?

First of all I'm sorry if this is another problem other than Windows, I just wasn't sure where to start! When my computer starts all images, icons, etc. are correct, but after a period of time (20-30 minutes) the upper right hand buttons to control the page are replaced with assorted color bars, or grayed out! and if I go to Windows Explorer, all the folder expand "+" boxes are replaced with assorted bar patterns. my computer is a HP Pavilion, 435mhz
256 memory, and I have a GeForce4 video graphics card. Any help you may have would be appreciated.
Thanks, MRBEER

What window(s) do you have "open" when this problem occurs? (ie; My Computer, Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, etc.) Or, does it happen in any window?

What is the HP Pavilion Model Number?

Was the video card "stock" with the system?

Are you running up to date Firewall and Anti-Virus programs?

Have you loaded any new software just prior to this problem?

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Dan, thanks for responding so quickly! when this problem starts it is the same on any window I have open or any new windows. My model number is Pavilion #6465, and the graphics card was added a year ago, and until just recently I haven't had any problems! and I'm uncertain if I could isolate a program that was added around the time this started, sorry.
Thanks, MRBEER

Do you know the exact video card?

Is it one of these;
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce4mx.html

or one of these;
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20020206/


Looking at the Pavilion 6465 Prod. Specs;
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...ph04928#N10256, I'm beginning to think the card may be too much for the system.

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Dan, It's the first video card you listed "GeForce4 MX 440" Dan if it is the card why didn't it give me problems at first? although to be honest...every time I have tried to upgrade any items on this computer I seem to run into problems.
Thanks, mrbeer

First of all, sorry to be so long in getting back.

From my #2;
"Are you running up to date Firewall and Anti-Virus programs?"

"Dan if it is the card why didn't it give me problems at first?"

Not sure yet if it is the card. How long did it run with no problems?

I'll allocate some time today into doing more research into your system specs and that video card. Until then.......

Try removing the video adapter and running with the onboard video for a bit. If no errors, then it's definitely something to do with the card.

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Hey Dan, I thank you for the idea of trying my original "on-board" video adapter.
I so often over complicate problems and over look the simple! and this would be a straight forward yes/no solution! Now I remember having to change a dip switch seting on the mother board besides the BIOS, Dan will I have to do any other prep prior to the swap? And by the way as of yesterday the colored lines now appear on the screen in various places! "My luck!"
Thanks again Dan,
Steve

"Now I remember having to change a dip switch seting on the mother board besides the BIOS ..."

I'm not that familiar with HP's. I do have two here, both Pavilion's, but neither have dip switches on the mobo. Do you possibly mean jumper blocks on the mobo?

Did the nvidia video card "instructions" tell/guide you for this? The only thing I can think of for this is possibly setting voltages for the AGP video slot. (Neither of the two Pavilion's I have possess an AGP slot, just PCI or Onboard, so I'm kind of shooting in the dark.)

I did find this on the HP site. Your card is mentioned, but not much info other than (software) setup. I did see though that not all HP's ship with onboard video, but according to the HP specs page for your model you have both.

Is this the card you have?

[Insert new item] I just found this as well indicating there are several flavours of this card.

I can't find a downloadable system manual on the HP site. (I've never really needed one though, I just go to the mobo manufacturers site (or similar) and grab mobo manuals there.)

"... will I have to do any other prep prior to the swap?"

All you should have to do (as far as I can tell) is set the bios (F1) video option (under Advanced) to "PCI" if it's on AGP.

I am however, apprehensive about this dip/jumper setting you mentioned. I'd really like to know/understand this before advising. I don't want to tell you something and then have your mobo blow up as a result. ;>)

Download and run Everest Home Edition (freeware). Use the report wizard to save ALL pages in HTML format. In this format links to manufacturers sites for drivers, manuals, etc are encoded. (If you also save it in text format it can be attached or posted here.)

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Location: Alberta, CanadaD-A-L Hardware Scan