DirectX in a desktop window?

At work Im using Windows XP on a P4 2.8GHZ and P3 900MHZ system. Both systems have DirectX 9.0 installed. Currently I'm making use of Windows' GDI to perform fade in/out, slide in/out effects with forms and PNG/JPG/BMP images. The form's standard close/minimize/maximize buttons and such are hidden away to reveal only the form's body with the image overlayed ontop. The image itself (PNG and GIF) make use of the associated transparency/alphachannel.

Animated transitions seem adequate on my home P4 1.7GHZ system but on the other 2 systems above (they have several apps pre-installed beyond my control) the animation appears clunkier. I would like to use DirectX to re-create everything I've done so far but to get smooth speeds out of these work PCs. Is it possible to do that with DirectX 9? Can i use DX on my Windows XP desktop the way i have it now, overlayable images using alphablending/transparency and without the traditional form control buttons ?

Any quick direct links to guides or examples on achieving this? MSDN is a labrynth.

Thanks.

I've found GameDev to be a good reference for DirectX. Take a look at their forums and articles.