While trying Bob\'s suggestion I noticed that my options for the AERO desktop are all \"greyed out\"... meaning I couldn\'t select any of them. Don\'t know why, never cared because I prefer the classic old style start menu / desktop.
I Googled that issue and was taken to a page that explained using the built-in troubleshooter. That didn\'t help and the system said all was well. I then found a page that discussed a Registry edit to help.
