One Solution to Flicker on an X61 Running XP or Vista

[Laptopfan]

I discovered that Intel loads two graphics applets onto the task bar when my machine first boots into Windows XP or Vista. Normally these applets show no visible icon unless it is turned on using the Intel graphics control in Display Settings. My screen invariably flickers and goes black for a split second before returning to normal. This occurs during every boot. The two start-up applets are igfxtray.exe and igfxpers.exe. Deleting these two applets from starting, using msconfig or any similar app stopped this particular flicker issue.

Had issue first using Vista Home Basic and it continued after installing XP Pro.

Hope this helps someone with similar problems.

[watchtower7]

thanks

[wshnlc]

I have noticed the same annoying problem. Are there any negative affects of turning this off?

[watchtower7]

yes.
your screen wont flicker

[wshnlc]

Thanks....

[kunfuchopsticks]

lol thanks!

but seriously, are we turning off some vital screen driver or whatnopt?

[artic_squirrel]

i got the same thing here

of you could disable these two exe, but you lose the two wonderful options when you right clic on the desktop

that's pity

anyway, as long as the drivers are loaded

[Laptopfan]

My understanding is that the functionality provided by these applets can also be accessed by using the Intel graphics controls available in Control Panel. For me the loss of functionality was less important then getting rid of the flicker. BTW if you ever update your Intel graphics drivers from Lenovo the applets are reinstalled again.

[semiclue]

My understanding is that the functionality provided by these applets can also be accessed by using the Intel graphics controls available in Control Panel.

Yes, and key functions like brightness can still be adjusted using Fn/hotkey combos. These are two of the startups I always turn off through msconfig. Whenever I get a new computer or tidy someone else's up, one of the things I do is google its startups, and long ago I found that these are two that definitely aren't needed, and most ppl looking to streamline things (including with no consequences) keep them off.

[sir_synthsalot]

XP I didn't get the flicker in 16-bit color mode so I though it was because the adapter is so old. Nice to know there is a fix for this. I had the same flicker with Windows 7 although when shutting down. I had to kill hkcmd.exe, igfxtray.exe, and igfxpers.exe with msconfig. More aesthetically pleasing now.