I am running Vista Home Premium SP1 with all recent updates on an Acer 5420
laptop.  However, while using Explorer to look at folders with jpg, bmp, and
other image files; I see the thumbnails quickly generated only to have them
disappear and be replaced with a generic icon for the file type.  Video files
(wmv, mpg, etc.) have "persistent" thumbnails.  After searching for possible
solutions I have applied, or confirmed, the appropriate options for Explorer
-- uncheck the Show icons, never thumbnail option, etc.  Additionally, the
system performace is set to "best appearance" (It has also been set to about
every other possiblity as well).  Various registry modifications have been
applied -- with no resolution.  The system has been restarted after each
change in configuration.  Refresh will "flash" the thumbnails for a split
second before returning to the generic icons.

This is driving me crazy, not to mention wasted a couple days of productive
time.  Since the thumbnail view is so critical to my daily work, I purchased
a third party file utility (PowerDesk) whose thumbnail functions are
flawless.  I would stay wit this solution except for the fact that my
workplace doesn't want to purchase license for multiple copies of PowerDesk,
when Explorer should be more than adequate.  Why won't Vista's explorer
perform as it should?  Any ideas? (Other than, "you should have stuck with
XP!"  I would have loved to have stayed with XP, but it wasn't my decision to
migrate -- downgrade IMHO -- to Vista.)  Suggestions?  Thanks in advance!