Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004

Every time I try to apply a skin using WindowBlind 5.0, my taskbar, window titles, start button, icons, everything gets a black background, flashes the skin 1 or two times, and lags extremely. This meaning, if I click the start button, right click on something, close a window, do any task at all, there's a (minimum) 10 second lag.

I have no clue where to begin in solving this problem. None of the skins I try apply themselves properly.

If more info is needed, just let me know.