Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer

I am running Vista Home Premium SP1 with all recent updates on an Acer 5420
laptop. However, while using Explorer to look at folders with jpg, bmp, and
other image files; I see the thumbnails quickly generated only to have them
disappear and be replaced with a generic icon for the file type. Video files
(wmv, mpg, etc.) have "persistent" thumbnails. After searching for possible
solutions I have applied, or confirmed, the appropriate options for Explorer
-- uncheck the Show icons, never thumbnail option, etc. Additionally, the
system performace is set to "best appearance" (It has also been set to about
every other possiblity as well). Various registry modifications have been
applied -- with no resolution. The system has been restarted after each
change in configuration. Refresh will "flash" the thumbnails for a split
second before returning to the generic icons.

This is driving me crazy, not to mention wasted a couple days of productive
time. Since the thumbnail view is so critical to my daily work, I purchased
a third party file utility (PowerDesk) whose thumbnail functions are
flawless. I would stay wit this solution except for the fact that my
workplace doesn't want to purchase license for multiple copies of PowerDesk,
when Explorer should be more than adequate. Why won't Vista's explorer
perform as it should? Any ideas? (Other than, "you should have stuck with
XP!" I would have loved to have stayed with XP, but it wasn't my decision to
migrate -- downgrade IMHO -- to Vista.) Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I am having the same problem. I was able to view the thumbnails but now get
the generic thumbnail image. I am unable to find the setting to view
thumbnail jpgs.

After searching for hours for a solution to this problem, and trying out the
various solutions: various Explorer settings, registry edits, calls to
Micro$oft support (Now, there's an oxymoron for you!), etc. -- none of which
have worked, I have decided that my time is more important than the cost of
the PowerDesk utility which replaces Explorer and handles thumbnails without
difficulty. Until then I'll just make a mental note to myself to never buy
another MS product until SP2 (or SP3) is released.

I've been looking at this problem and noticed those jpgs without
thumbnails all have their archive flag set (to on)

Removing this flag appears to then show the thumbnail properly. just
have to figure out why the flag is being set...

ps this only occurs (for me) on a network drive

[jokeofalltrades]

I have the same problem on a network drive. None of my photos had the archive flag set, but toggling the archive flag on individual files causes the thumbnails to be regenerated and remain. I note two things: (1) Toggling the flag on multiple files at once does not solve the problem - it only works if I toggle the flag one file at a time. This means, of course, that it will an amazing amount of work to regenerate thumbs for the thousands of image files I have on that network drive. (2) It doesn't actually matter whether the archive flag is set or not - I can set it to cause the thumb to regenerate, and then unset the flag again and the thumb remains. Strangest behavior I've ever seen in Vista, and Vista has some very strange behavior.

I think I have got around this problem....

if your images are on a network drive, try adding the drive/folder to
your search index (if you can't add it you may want to add this
'Availability of the Windows Desktop Search add-in for Files on
Microsoft Networks' (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918996))

It seems to have cleared up the problem for me.