Vista [beta] question

[Barry Watzman]

Ok, I'm in the wrong place. So the first question is, where is the
right place?

But since I'm here .....

Installed the latest Vista Beta on a Toshiba A105-S2712 laptop. The
Vista advisor, running under XP, says it can run Aero. This laptop has
an Intel 915 chipset with Intel Graphics Accelerator 900 chipset video
(uses shared memory). This video system can allocate 128MB of video
memory and supports Pixel Shader 2. The computer has a gigabyte of
total memory. The CPU is a Pentium M 1.73GHz (not a Celeron).

My questions all revolve around running Aero the Aero interface on this
system.

First, how can I tell if Aero is running? If Aero is like an Orgasm
("if you don't know if you are running it, you are not"), then I'm not
running Aero. There is nothing spectacularly different that reaches out
and shakes me, no transparent see-through Windows or anything like that.

Second, if I'm not running it, is there anything in Vista itself that
will come right out and tell me if I'm running Aero, if not why not, and
is there anything I can do turn Aero on if it's currently off?

[Note, I'm using pretty much "Classic everything" .... start menu,
desktop, folders]

Thanks

 

[Bill]

try this place

Microsoft.public.windows.vista.general


Ok, I'm in the wrong place. So the first question is, where is the
right place?

But since I'm here .....

Installed the latest Vista Beta on a Toshiba A105-S2712 laptop. The
Vista advisor, running under XP, says it can run Aero. This laptop has
an Intel 915 chipset with Intel Graphics Accelerator 900 chipset video
(uses shared memory). This video system can allocate 128MB of video
memory and supports Pixel Shader 2. The computer has a gigabyte of
total memory. The CPU is a Pentium M 1.73GHz (not a Celeron).

My questions all revolve around running Aero the Aero interface on this
system.

First, how can I tell if Aero is running? If Aero is like an Orgasm
("if you don't know if you are running it, you are not"), then I'm not
running Aero. There is nothing spectacularly different that reaches out
and shakes me, no transparent see-through Windows or anything like that.

Second, if I'm not running it, is there anything in Vista itself that
will come right out and tell me if I'm running Aero, if not why not, and
is there anything I can do turn Aero on if it's currently off?

[Note, I'm using pretty much "Classic everything" .... start menu,
desktop, folders]

Thanks

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Barry,

I've yet to see anyone with that chipset run Aero. Aero (transparency)
requires WDDM drivers and support of DX9. More information:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Barry Watzman]

I think that the chipset video HAS DX9. I know it has 128MB capability,
and Pixel Shader 2. And Vista Advisor says that it WILL run Aero.
However, that doesn't address your WDDM driver issue. It could be that
the hardware can, but that the current driver can't. If that's the
case, however, I'd like to know it. It certainly is misleading (to the
point where a purchase decision could be made incorrectly) for the
Advisor to say that it can run Aero if it can't. But if the answer it
it can't run Aero yet, because the appropriate driver isn't available
YET (but will be), that's a different matter.

[Given the number of laptops that use this Intel chipset ... perhaps 10%
to 30% of all laptops built/sold in the past year ... presumably if the
hardware can do it, the driver will be forthcoming.]

 

[??]

Hi.
First I think your CPU should be more power for Vista

 

[Guest]

Can someone with MS also confirm if the post beta 2 build that MSDN
subscribers will be able to download soon will be available to TechNet Plus
subscribers? Windows Vista July CTP (5472.5) is the release I am refering
to.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

If I remember correctly, these interim builds are only released to the beta
testers.

 

[Guest]

I agree, however, MSDN subscribers are not considered beta testers any more
then TechNet is. However, from recent msdn postings, they are getting this
build. I was wondering if TechNet Plus will also be getting this update or
not.

 

[Guest]

Looks like I received my answer via the Windows Vista Team Blog.

Confirmed via the Windows Vista Team Blog.

Microsoft released an interim build of Windows Vista, build number 5472, to
Windows Vista Technical Beta program participants, members of the Technology
Adoption Program (TAP), and MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsvista/Default.aspx

Thank you MS for allowing a more broad range of users to be able to receive
this update.

--
Jason

I agree, however, MSDN subscribers are not considered beta testers any more
then TechNet is. However, from recent msdn postings, they are getting this
build. I was wondering if TechNet Plus will also be getting this update or
not.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Yup, your right.

Sorry about the mis-information.

 

[Guest]

Also, according to recent information, this updated build is suppost to be
available for TechNet subscribers to download. Yet, I am unable to locate
where to download it from. Has any TechNet subscribers been able to locate
and download this build?

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Go to the source.

Windows Vista Beta Announcements - TechNet Forums:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=713&SiteID=17


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Also, according to recent information, this updated build is suppost to be
available for TechNet subscribers to download. Yet, I am unable to locate
where to download it from. Has any TechNet subscribers been able to locate
and download this build?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. However, I have tried there. According to the
Windows Vista 5472 is now available! (For SELECTED BETA TESTER ONLY) posting
it states:

You can download it from the CONNECT site right now!

Update from MS:
"this is the first time we have expanded the distribution for an interim
build to MSDN and TechNet subscribers."

So, if you are MSDN or Technet Subscriber, you can logon to their site and
download this interim build now!

If you can download build# 5456, I think you are the possible SELECTED beta
tester, just login to CONNECT site and you will find it! Enjoy!!!"

However, with little help at directing myself where to go and be able to
download the update, I decided to try here since this is the TechNet forum.
I even went onto the connect web site and emailed them. However, I have not
received a reply.