Hey hey
I've run into a bit of a problem. I'm running Windows XP 2600 with a fast computer (256MB Ram, 266 FSB 1.2 Athlon) and it seems that all of my File menus on ANY application (any menus that are accesed with ALT, etc) are VERy, very slow. As in, I click on a menu and it takes a full second to print the contents of that menu onto the screen. No processing, the menu fades in very chopily and then finally displays its contents. Then, moving the cursor around on the menu is very slow as well, which is odd, because the menu is rolled out, why should would moving a cursor over an menu item be slow? Anyway, it happens in every single application, and the start menu. The start menu takes a full second or 2 to open (the programs portion of it) and then when I move my cursor over the start menu items, it skips around like its out of ram or something.
 
Also, I thought it might be because the menu "fades" in and it wasn't loading it very well, and I tried to bring up the window that deals with "effects" in display properties, but upon clicking on it, nothing happens (no dialogue box, no response, nothing). Also, I wouldn't think this was the issue because even when I've clicked on the menu once, if I move my cursor off of it and back onto it, it takes just as long to load.
 
I have no idea why my computer is doing this, but its very annoying and has been going on for some time now. I run WinXP 2600 on another networked computer, and it is MUCH slower (hardware wise) with 128MB of ram and it displays/accesses menus just fine. Perhaps I have my memory cache or memory management set to something it shouldn't be, and thats causing the slowdown, but I do not know what kind of setting could result in ONLY the menus (NOTHING else) being very slow. I can drag windows and masked applications around the screen, with transparencies, without encountering a "hiccup" which would result from lack of ram or slow ram. If anyone has any info or suggestions, I would be greatful, as I'm eager to look into it and fix this problem.