Do this: Left-click the task bar>Click "Properties">In the window that comes up labeled "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" click the Start Menu tab>Click "Classic Start Menu">Click "Apply">Click "OK".

Now test the start menu under the same circumstances where you were seeing the problem you reported in your above post. Does the problem still occur?

 

classic does not help

It took a while before IT happened again, but changing to classic did not help, in 'classic mode' the window 'start' button simply is non-responsive, again after reboot the quick lunch needs to be re-enabled.

 

It took a while before IT happened again, but changing to classic did not help, in 'classic mode' the window 'start' button simply is non-responsive, again after reboot the quick lunch needs to be re-enabled.

I heartily agree: the quick LUNCH does need to be re-established. No waiting in line at the cafeteria for us, eh? :1angel:

Hehehe... oh, I'm just so punny today.

But seriously: This is a strange one. It sounds like someone has altered your user privilages and has locked you out of your Start menu. Are you using XP Home or XP Pro?

 

XP pro with admin rights

I use XP pro and have admin rights.
This thing happens very rarely and I can simply reboot to make it okay, however, it would be nice to understand was is going on, especially if this is the first sign of something that could get worse

GREAT Peter Sellers impersonation!

 

I'm new on here so let me start of by saying hello.

I've been having this same black menu problem myself and found some work arounds for it (no fix yet :4-dontkno)
The problem is caused by logitech software.

Work around 1:
Set your control panel in the start menu as a link (not as a menu)
If you have set it as a menu, move your pointer on and off the menu, you will see that the start menu goes black at some point.

Work around 2:
Uninstall the logitech software (but keep the driver)
Your cam will still work.

Work around 3:
Clear your most frequently used application list (the part that goes black)and turn this list off so no more programs will be shown.

I haven't found anything on the logitech website about this.
I hope logitech will address this problem and solve it.

Hope this helps for now.