New computer - strange PS CS4 behavior

Question

Hello,
I just purchased a new system (Win XP Pro downgrade, SP3, Intel i7 processor) and PS is really acting odd. I've already uninstalled and reinstalled, and the behavior remains.
Whenever I open PS, all my menus are grayed out, including the File menu that allows me to open a file. In order to open a file, I must minimize PS, then re-maximize it. At that point, the menus become active.
Similar to this issue is that anytime I wish to apply a layer effect, I must ALT-TAB to another program, then switch back in order to see its effect. The same goes with the Navigator window in PS: If I zoom in or out on the image, the Navigator window does not show any change. In other words, the red box that should move across the thumbnail in the Navigator window does not move, even though the image itself on the desktop will change size as I zoom in and out. And, related to this, the Navigator window is often grayed out, as is any additional Layer I may create above the background Layer.
Now, the program ran well on my other computer, which was also XP Pro, though not a downgrade and it was running on a different processor. Could this be a processor issue? As mentioned, I've already tried an uninstall/reinstall. Has anyone else seen this before or does anyone have any ideas what I could try?
Thanks for your help!
-Greg

Answer 1

>Dave, isn't it about bed time at your end of the pond?
east coast usa. it's morning. 08:44am here. if you look at the forum's time stamps, i'm 3 hours later than that. you're in uk rob? so that +5 or 6 from me. isn't it happy hour yet?!! :)
>.but I recommend that you download the beta and give it a whirl...it's really nice.
I might on a separate box. but i'm jumping either way when it's gold. i'm not to fussed about running a beta os, even though some are saying it's already better than vista.
>All of the reviews seem to be very positive, too.
the one i hear from all over is that it's fast and smooth! just how i like my wimmin! :)