Several days ago I got a new video card (Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT), installed it and got updated drivers. Then I tried to play NWN1. Oh noes! I couldn't see the main menu screen! All was black, but for the mouse cursor. Sooo I ran to the chat here and asked for help. I wish I could remember the names of those that helped me, so that I can thank you properly, but you know who you are. Everyone that spoke up helped, one way or another (even the coffee suggestion, which helped me regain my perspective!), and I want to thank you all right now.
Unfortunately neither the driver rollback nor the shortcut workaround helped. My card won't work with a driver that's old enough to predate the problem, and Windows refused to allow me to create the proper shortcut. However, someone (I forget who! Sorry!) gave me a link to the Bioware forums where there is a thread on the subject (found here for those who also have this problem). It was there that I found a solution that, while not ideal, gets the job done: Click 'til you find the "Load Game" button (should be in the middle, slightly above center). The Load Game screen will display properly, and you can cancel back to the main menu from there (which should also display properly now, as it does with the shortcut workaround). Then you get yourself a piece of paper, cut out a space to mark the "Load Game" button, and aim your cursor there next time you start the game.
Just today I got around to reinstalling the latest driver (I'd tried rolling back, which didn't work, remember). This is I forget which number, but it's whatever Nvidia thinks I should be using (you can find it here, and I think it's the same one I had before. Then I loaded up NWN1 and I got . . . a main menu! Not really sure why it's working now, it's still not working on Little Cub's computer, but my computers tend to have myriad quirks, many of which are annoying. I'm glad to find one that is beneficial for a change.
Thanks again to all who helped me with this problem!
~Kerry
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~Eleanor Roosevelt
I had this problem awhile back myself. I'm running Windows XP with a GeForce 8600 GTS. I uninstalled the latest nVidia drivers and installedthe Forceware Release 169 beta drivers. Been running fine ever since.
"The God of the Qurʾan is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." -- Vaelahr
<ZarJazz> I'm sick and tired of a hobby-organization that has to have rules, charters, government and whatnot more suited for a multinational fortune five hundred company; and we are really, what? -Max a hundred active geeks fiddling around calling
Just made myself a new char on SD. Come join me! Fun fun fun
<ZarJazz> I'm sick and tired of a hobby-organization that has to have rules, charters, government and whatnot more suited for a multinational fortune five hundred company; and we are really, what? -Max a hundred active geeks fiddling around calling
Well, alt+tab and alt+enter doesn't work for me. From other posts on other forums, I found that the following generally works consistently:
1) start the toolset from the initial menu
2) go to Build > Test Module (F9)
3) exit this module
4) begin the game through the menu as normal until you're all the way in
5) exit the test module you started
Currently laying the smackdown on Faerun as: Keryn Tel'Jora, who is XXX-TREME!!!.
Currently explaining the meaninglessness of it all as Vizian Nazyr.
Currently pointing out all other characters' shortcomings as Stephen the Archer.
Everyone that spoke up helped, one way or another (even the coffee suggestion, which helped me regain my perspective!), and I want to thank you all right now. 
