effects menus will not render

[Gordon]

my S2000 has never done this. e.g., when inserting a transition and clicking on create a very brief (1sec) blip of the scene is flashed. Same occurs on image processing menu. I've tried the Q&A strategies at macrosystem.us and none worked. My hard drive is at 79%. When I turn machine off and reboot I sometimes get at longer 2-3 sec render blip but no render. I did a full reinstall of the OS about a year ago. Considering an update install now. help. thanks