Vista - Start menu user folders not loading properly

I have vista x64 Ultimate fully updated, running nod32 antivirus also fully updated. I've been haivng trouble with this since installing. Its been bugging me for several months now and i was hoping someone could help me out.

When i mouse over/click on the user folder menus in the start bar (personal folder / documents /games / etc ) it often doesnt load and just disaplys the outside border as seen in the attached image. This occurs regularly and randomly, i'll move the mouse over and nothing will happen, i'll move it away and back over and it will load, then on the thrid attempt it will fail to display.

any idea whats going on? I've disabled searching of user files and the index from the start menu.

System Specs:

e8400 @ 4ghz
4gb Mushkin 1066 DDR2 ram
DFI p35 dk t2rs
8800GTX
4x320gb HDDs

Hello Coldon, welcome to the forums,

From the screenshot could be a graphics driver problem . Do you have the latest drivers from the manufacturers site?

otherwise try running a System File Check see if that flags any problems

System Files - SFC Command

got the latest nvidia drivers, my system integrity is fine. like i said i experience this on two seperate systems: one running business 32 and the other ultimate 64.

the menus load sporadically, it almost feels as they couldnt be read half the time. I'm going to disbale aero and all eye candy and see if it still occurs.

EDIT: it seems that its caused by the "menu fade option!" sigh... well at least now i can carry on serching for a solution

Sorry, didn't see any ref to Vista Business on original post.

as it occurs on both systems would concentrate on 3rd party background apps running on both systems.
glad to see your at least part way to solving it