[Steven W]

But yea, is this what the corruption looks like for you?

Oh! Didn't answer. No. Let me try to explain:

Assuming that I did nothing - no DEFAULT.pif, no changes to apps.inf, no setting properties of any kind. Let's say I was showing the Desktop and started command.com for the Start Menu, it looks more as though the command prompt did open and then and went to a Window, like it should, but everything is wonky. I can tell that I'm looking at the desktop, but it's a jumble mess. I'd say you're theory though, could still be correct, it's just a different manifestation. I'm using Intel's Q963/965 video built-in to the Mobo.