slide layout icons missing in powerpoint

[Lactantius]

I'm using Powerpoint XP, SP3 with all updates installed. A while ago I found
that the little pictures illustrating each potential layout or template when
you have the Slide Layout pane or Design Template pane open weren't showing;
instead all I get are lots of blank white panels, though if I hover the mouse
over a panel a popup tells me the name of the panel (eg TItle & Text). When I
installed the latest update - SP3 - the pictures returned for a short time
but have disappeared again. Any suggestions as to how I can see what the
layouts or designs are meant to look like before applying something to a
slide?

 

[Luc]

Lactantius,
This problem has been popping up from time to time. No real pinpointer yet
to what is causing it.
You could make sure your graphics/video card driver is up to date. And try
to change hardware acceleration.
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00129.htm
I remember this helping out in Word, where pictures, refused to show. It
does not hurt to try.
Luc