I found a solution to the speed problem I had once I introduced snow in my game.

Instead of

Code:
DXImageList.Items[9].Draw(DXDrawGame.Surface,0,0,0);
use

Code:
DxdrawGame.Surface.BltFast(0, 0, BackImage.ClientRect,1, BackImage);
bltFast increased the fps to what it is set at in my game, which is 200 fps

btw using BLTFast drawing only works if the image being drawn is exactly the same as clientHeight and clientWidth, if it overlaps it will not work