Graphics/Aero

[Guest]

I have just installed Vista Home Premium on my computer. The windows look
"basic". Is there any way for me to improve my machines graphics without
buying a new graphic card?

 

[Cal Bear '66]

What graphics card do you have now?

 

[Guest]

Haha, i'm not sure. How can i check?

What graphics card do you have now?

 

[Julian]

I have just installed Vista Home Premium on my computer. The windows look
"basic". Is there any way for me to improve my machines graphics without
buying a new graphic card?

What are your "scores?"

ie. Control Panel > Performance Information & Tools > Graphics

 

[Guest]

for graphics i got a 1.0/ Pathetic I know, haha. Just wondering if there's an
easy way to improve this. Cuz as vista apperas right now, it looks kind of
basic.

 

[Julian]

for graphics i got a 1.0/ Pathetic I know, haha. Just wondering if there's
an
easy way to improve this. Cuz as vista apperas right now, it looks kind
of
basic.

Ouch!
Very unlikely you can improve that sufficiently.
First things first... your graphics card.

Control Panel > Device Manager > Display Adapters > ???

What does it tell you?

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Control Panel > Device Manager
Click on Plus sign next to Display adapters
What does it say?

 

[Guest]

it says: Mobile Intel (R) 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset Family (Microsoft
Corporation - XDDM)

It has this twice.

 

[Julian]

it says: Mobile Intel (R) 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset Family
(Microsoft
Corporation - XDDM)

It has this twice.

Q5: Why doesn’t the Intel 915 Express chipset family support Windows Vista
Aero?

A5: The overall graphics architecture and design of the 915 Express chipset
family (with Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 graphics engine) was
finalized prior to Microsoft releasing details and specifications around the
Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver. Given this, there are hardware
limitations in the 915 Express chipset architecture that would limit
graphics performance and memory capabilities when attempting to run WDDM on
Vista.


http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-023606.htm#7

 

[Dana Cline - MVP]

As Julian noted, the Intel 915 doesn't support Aero in Vista. I'd be willing
to bet this graphics is on your motherboard, and you should have a free slot
(either AGP or PCIe) that can accept a graphics card.

I think you need one with at least 128Mb of RAM, and you can generally find
them under $50 if you look. I'd suggest an nVidia 6600 GT, which you can
find for maybe $75 or so...

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

 

[Julian]

As Julian noted, the Intel 915 doesn't support Aero in Vista. I'd be
willing to bet this graphics is on your motherboard, and you should have a
free slot (either AGP or PCIe) that can accept a graphics card.

I think you need one with at least 128Mb of RAM, and you can generally
find them under $50 if you look. I'd suggest an nVidia 6600 GT, which you
can find for maybe $75 or so...

For a bit more cash
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-x1300.html

I've got one on my Dell E520 and while it is by no means
state-of-the-art, and I've only 1gb RAM but it seems fine.

Caveat.
I'm not a gamer. However World of Warcraft has been trialed
and Max Payne run successfully... by my little lad... honest guv!

You could even consider second hand.
Here's a hint of what is available in the UK. Note. Not just ATI but nVidia
too.
US prices are probably $ for £ - 1 to 1
http://www.cex.co.uk/search.php?ispostback=1&cat=765&section=3&pl=7

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Mobile Intel? Isn't this a laptop? Is it possible to upgrade the video adapter
in a laptop?

 

[Julian]

Mobile Intel? Isn't this a laptop? Is it possible to upgrade the video
adapter in a laptop?

Excellent point.

 

[Dana Cline - MVP]

You're right - I missed the "mobile" part. Intel is included on a lot of
motherboards for desktops, but certainly is included on a lot of laptops
too - my Dell Inspirion 6000 had an Intel capable of running Media Center
2005 but not Aero. So, to the original poster, if it's a laptop, you're out
of luck...if it's a desktop, you can probably add a graphics board easily
enough...

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

 

[Anthony Marsh]

it says: Mobile Intel (R) 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset Family (Microsoft
Corporation - XDDM)

Intel specifically said they will not support the 915. I had the same
family. The lowest it will support is 945.