Can XP SP2 Disrupt Normal Operation of the Graphics Display

I recently upgraded to XP SP2 (single file download). I created a restore
point, turned off my firewall, disconnected from the Internet, and basically
shut down all the running processes I could. The update went flawlessly. When
the computer rebooted, I turned everything back on, and except for the new
features, my computing environment was exactly the same as before. I was very
pleased. Great job guys!

A few days ago, I began to notice that I could not view gradients as
smoothly as before. They do not flow from color to color, as gradients
should, but turn abruptly from one color to another. I have updated my video
card drivers to the most recent for my device; the same goes for the BIOS &
Chipset drivers. I have substituted the video card with 2 other cards; one
AGP, the other PCI. I have substituted the Monitor with a different monitor,
with no luck. I even used my primary monitor on a separate computer. Only
then did the problem go away.

Nothing else appears to be wrong with my system. Was there anything in the
XP SP2 update that could have disrupted the normal operation of how graphics
are displayed on my computer?

Here are my specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Barton Core (39°c idle - 53°c load)
MB: AN7 with BIOS v15
RAM: Corsair 1GB pc3200 VS – 2 x 512
Video: PNY 128MB GeForce4 Ti4400
PSU: Allied 500W - Dual Fans
Sound: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Monitor: NEC MultiSync FE950+ (19� CRT)
HD: 80GB 7200rpm WD; 40GB 7200rpm WD (backup)
Disk Drives: 52x32x52 CD-RW; 52x CD-ROM
Fans: 1 80mm rear exhaust
OS: Windows XP Pro – SP2
Access: DSL - 1.5MB down/1MB up (T1)

Is there any chance that this post will receive the attention of a qualified
observer?

"MerlinsWeb" wrote:

> I recently upgraded to XP SP2 (single file download). I created a restore
> point, turned off my firewall, disconnected from the Internet, and basically
> shut down all the running processes I could. The update went flawlessly. When
> the computer rebooted, I turned everything back on, and except for the new
> features, my computing environment was exactly the same as before. I was very
> pleased. Great job guys!
>
> A few days ago, I began to notice that I could not view gradients as
> smoothly as before. They do not flow from color to color, as gradients
> should, but turn abruptly from one color to another. I have updated my video
> card drivers to the most recent for my device; the same goes for the BIOS &
> Chipset drivers. I have substituted the video card with 2 other cards; one
> AGP, the other PCI. I have substituted the Monitor with a different monitor,
> with no luck. I even used my primary monitor on a separate computer. Only
> then did the problem go away.
>
> Nothing else appears to be wrong with my system. Was there anything in the
> XP SP2 update that could have disrupted the normal operation of how graphics
> are displayed on my computer?
>
> Here are my specs:
>
> CPU: AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Barton Core (39°c idle - 53°c load)
> MB: AN7 with BIOS v15
> RAM: Corsair 1GB pc3200 VS – 2 x 512
> Video: PNY 128MB GeForce4 Ti4400
> PSU: Allied 500W - Dual Fans
> Sound: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
> Monitor: NEC MultiSync FE950+ (19� CRT)
> HD: 80GB 7200rpm WD; 40GB 7200rpm WD (backup)
> Disk Drives: 52x32x52 CD-RW; 52x CD-ROM
> Fans: 1 80mm rear exhaust
> OS: Windows XP Pro – SP2
> Access: DSL - 1.5MB down/1MB up (T1)