Blank Context Menus

Running LW 5.5.8 and Java 1.6.0_19 on Windows XP SP3 with all available updates. The "file" and "help" context menus are blank. Sometimes the menu options (text) come back, only to disappear again later. The program never used to do this. I'm not sure what build of LW or Java this started, but it was sometime ago. Is there any solution other than to revert to an earlier build of LW or Java that I really don't want to do? I can use the program as it is more of an annoyance than anything else.
I did do a search of the forum and found a similar post, but this was quite some time ago with no solution.

No simple fix as far as I know. I suspect it's a combination RAM, Video Card, & Java issue. If you re-select the menu a 2nd time soon after first attempt you may find it shows properly.

Other options might be playing around with tweaks. Be it experimenting with LW's compatibility modes, or removing some of the burden on LW's loading; Tip: Purge the Downloads Queue! (click on blue link) (But see note for LW 5)

Thanks; I'll give some of your tips a try.