Something's wrong with my screen.

[donna]

Normally with Windows Vista, the windows are supposed to be semi-transparent,
but for some reason, all of a sudden they aren't transparent at all. It's
really bothering me.
It's like somehow, the settings on my computer were changed, and no matter
what I do, I can't change them back to how they were before.
Also, the button on the task bar (or whatever it's called) that says "switch
between windows" doesn't work the same anymore.
Before, it would show all the programs I have up, smaller, and you could
choose which program to look at, but now, when I click the button, a small
screen comes up with just the names of each of the programs.
It's really annoying me, because I want my computer to look the same as it
had before.

Please help.

 

[Frenchy]

Normally with Windows Vista, the windows are supposed to be semi-transparent,
but for some reason, all of a sudden they aren't transparent at all. It's
really bothering me.
It's like somehow, the settings on my computer were changed, and no matter
what I do, I can't change them back to how they were before.
Also, the button on the task bar (or whatever it's called) that says "switch
between windows" doesn't work the same anymore.
Before, it would show all the programs I have up, smaller, and you could
choose which program to look at, but now, when I click the button, a small
screen comes up with just the names of each of the programs.
It's really annoying me, because I want my computer to look the same as it
had before.

Please help.

Right click on an empty place on your screen. Select PERSONALIZE and
then Color & Appearance. Here is where you enable as much transparency
as you want as well as subtle colours.

If you had Aero in place before, then check this is still working. At
the same screen for Color & Appearance, click the "OPen Classic
Appearance Properties.." and on the new op-up screen make sure Windows
Aero is selected and hit APPLY

Frenchy

 

[Charlie42]

Normally with Windows Vista, the windows are supposed to be semi-
transparent, but for some reason, all of a sudden they aren't transparent
at
all. <snip>
It's like somehow, the settings on my computer were changed, <snip>
Also, the button on the task bar (or whatever it's called) that says
"switch
between windows" doesn't work the same anymore. <snip>

For some reason Windows Aero and the 3D-Flip has been disabled by Windows
itself (Alt-Tab will still let you cycle between programs).

This is usually caused by one of these three: Inadequate hardware,
incompatible software (particularly old games) or piracy (in which case you
should have activation issues as well).

To reenable Aero, open up Control Panel > Appearance and Personalisation >
Personalisation > Theme. Select the Windows Vista theme. This option may not
be available, in which case you have to identify the cause and correct it.

Troubleshoot Windows Aero:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/c33fe91a-9e6f-41f4-ae82-3ed2d5fa2fbf1033.mspx

Minimum requirements for running Home Premium and Windows Aero:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/capable.mspx

Charlie42