Windows 7: Weird Intel Graphics Glitch/Problem

Hey all Windows 7 and (some) Vista users. I have a really weird Intel Graphics glitch/problem. Here's the story:

I have a Mobile Intel® 4 Express Chipset Family (GM45, 4500MHD) and something rather strange happened while playing a game. I was playing Speedball 2 via Steam and the game is a pretty Graphic Intesive game. I usually play the game at medium-high settings and I usually get 8 FPS (which is playable for me). Then I decided to turn on Shadow Count and the FPS stayed at 8 (Shadow Count should lower the FPS because it puts on Shadows on all objects). Then I decided to take off Shadow Count and the FPS increased to a wapping 25 FPS. But, nothing was changed? I turned on shadow count and then turned it off, So no setting changed. My question is, what made it slow before? Every time I start the game now, I have to turn on shadow count and then turn it off to get the 25 fps? What is going on? I have all the latest DX drivers and graphics drivers btw. Thanks in advance!