siim04

I had exactly the same problem. It turns out, that the start menu entries have running directory set to the installing users home directory. You just have to change these to your directory (preferably by moving the shortcuts from all users directory to user directory and then making the changes).

I hope Houdini team visits these forums and fixes the problem in future versions.

Yes, the video drivers can be a problem. However, as it is laptop, the drivers are manufacturer specific and ATI-s own drivers do not let themselves to be installed.

I am confirming that the problem stated at topic http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=172&page=viewtopic&t=4511 [sidefx.com] is present in Houdini Apprentice 8.0.474, which makes it really difficult to do the tutorials as in case of my graphics card (ATI Radeon M9000) drivers, Windows (XP Professional SP2) hangs as well (the artifacts in other windows will be shown). It seems to have this case when I move help browser window close to screen or Houdini edges.