Windows Aero

[Guest]

Recently my computer would not turn on and load properly. It was just stuck
on a black screen saying something had gone corrupt and it didn't allow me to
go any further. Therefore I had to reload windows vista all over again and
re-install all of my programs again. However, after doing all of this I
realised that something was wrong with my computer. Things like the windows
Flip 3D were not there and then I realised there was something wrong with
Windows Aero on my computer. Before the computer crashed and would not work I
had windows aero and I should have it now because I've got Vista Home
Premium.

Then when I go to personalization and Window Colour and Appearance settings
windows aero is not available.

So I don't know why this is happening and I would be grateful for any help
in how to get windows aero back up and running

 

[Guest]

Have you installed the motherboard and graphic drivers?

 

[Guest]

I think they're still installed from the initial time when I set up the
computer. The computer still works fine except it is without the specific
windows aero features.

 

[dean-dean]

Is "Windows Vista" a choice in Control Panel (Classic View) >
Personalization > Theme? If not, try going to Control Panel (Classic View)

 

[Guest]

windows vista is already displayed there

 

[dean-dean]

Well, choose Windows Vista, and then go to Control Panel (Classic View)
Performance Information and Tools, and click on "Update My Score". (It's on
the right-hand side of the page, beneath the big blue "Base
Score" #.# picture).

 

[Guest]

I've done that but nothing has changed....

 

[dean-dean]

In the Start Search box of the Start Menu, type services.msc. Is the
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager service set to be Automatic at
startup? If it's not, set it that way, and then restart your computer.

If Aero still doesn't work, go to this key in the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

In the right-hand pane, is there a value called "Composition" (without
quotes) under the Name column? Note this NOT the value name
"CompositionPolicy" (without quotes). If so, what is it's value for
"Composition" under the Data column? What is the value Data for
"CompositionPolicy"?

 

[Guest]

It is already set to automatic. Shall I go ahead and do the next part of what
you say then? What do you mean when you say the registry?

 

[dean-dean]

The registry is is a (huge) database for Windows and programs. You can read
it by using the Registry Editor. However if you have never used the Editor,
it can be pretty daunting, initially.

Don't make any changes, just try to navigate to the Key (folder) I gave you,
by expanding each Key one at a time, down the ladder, so to speak, starting
with the "folder" HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Next expand the Software "folder",
then the Microsoft "folder", and so on, and report back what you see (in the
right-hand pane) for the DWM folder's values.

To open the Editor, press the Windows Key + R. Type regedit in the Run box,
and click on OK.

Here's the "path" again: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

When you get to the DWM Key, it will look some thing like this:
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/8510/rgeditmx0.jpg

Then tell me the Data values for the Name values noted in my previous post.

 

[Guest]

It just says ab(Default) in the name and then REG_SZ in the Type. Is that any
help?

 

[dean-dean]

Yes, thanks. It tells me that Windows is not believing your computer is
capable of running Aero. In Control Panel\Performance Information and
Tools, what is your overall Base Score number? And, specifically, what is
the number for "Desktop Performance and Windows Aero"?

What is your computer's Manufacture's name, and what is your Model
name|Number?

 

[Guest]

it has an overall base score of 1 and a "Desktop Performance and Windows
Aero" score of 1 as well. It is an evesham computer and the model is a solar
XS.

I don't really know why this is happening because before I had to reload
vista onto the computer again I had Windows Aero and now after it sort of
crashed and I reloaded vista it hasn't been on or available to me. Do you
think it might be anything to do with the fact that it stored everything off
of the previous vista thing (i.e. word documents and the settings for all the
software) in a folder called windows.old and it isn't letting me delete
everything from the folder now because it says I don't have the file
permissions.

Thanks for all your help so far, I really appreciate it!

 

[dean-dean]

No, the Window.old folder is a separate issue, and getting rid of it can be
resolved also. For now, we might actually find it useful.

You have a display driver problem, for one. It needs to be updated. You
may need to update other drivers for other hardware devices, as well. Can
you give me a link from the Evesham website that shows the exact computer
you are using?

In the Start Menu type devmgmt.msc, and open Device Manager. Expand Display
Adapters. What is the Name of the device? Double-click on the device, and
click on the Driver tab. Copy and Paste the Driver Version number and the
Driver Date number into your reply to this post.

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately it seems that evesham have removed the computer from their
website now but here is one similar. It is also hard to show you exactly what
I had because I customized it quite a lot:
http://www.evesham.com/products/configurator/default.asp?e=E6C36403-8DCC-49F8-81D0-52ADB7FCD50C.

The name of the device is a Standard VGA Graphics Card.

Driver version number = 6.0.6000.16386
Driver date = 21/06/2006

Hope this helps.

Dan

 

[dean-dean]

Thanks Dan. Your computer is using the generic Microsoft display driver.
This shouldn't be! The Microsoft driver just gives you the minimum
functionality necessary to view your screen. It's just a matter of finding
what display hardware your computer has.

To help me figure out your display hardware, so that I can find the right
driver, do this. In the Start Menu type devmgmt.msc, and open Device
Manager.

In Device Manager, expand Display Adapters. Double-click Standard VGA
Graphics Card and go to the Details
tab of Properties. In the drop-down menu, under Property,
choose Hardware ID. Right-click the Values shown and choose Select All.
Copy the values and post it in your reply. It will look something like this
example:

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_3150&SUBSYS_81CA104D&REV_00
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_3150&SUBSYS_81CA104D
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_3150&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_3150&CC_0300

 

[Guest]

I think this is it:

PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3371&SUBSYS_0C87105B&REV_01
PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3371&SUBSYS_0C87105B
PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3371&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3371&CC_0300

 

[dean-dean]

Thanks Dan. Good job. It's kind of a needle in a haystack, but I believe
this is the driver you need:

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=420&OSID=36&CatID=2900&SubCatID=185

Click on the "Click Here to Begin Free Download" link, and save it to your
Desktop. Right-click on
P4M900(CE)-VN896(CE)-CN896(CE)_210001f_Vista_wIShld.zip
and choose Properties. Click on the Unblock button (Apply, OK). Then
right-click on the file again, and choose Extract All. When the files are
extracted, right-click on Setup.exe, and choose Run as Administrator. Allow
Setup to do it's thing. You will proabably have to reboot.

If successful, go to Control Panel > Performance Information and Tools, and
click on Update My Score.

I'll get back to the subject of Windows.old, but first I want to see if this
goes OK (right now it's acting as kind of a backup). Too, there's another
driver you may want to update.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, will do that as soon as possible. But I am just wondering why this is
happening now because before the computer crashed I obviousily had the
correct driver and how come it has now gone?

 

[Guest]

Thanks ever so much Dean-Dean - Windows Aero is now back on and my screen
resolution is also back to normal. I really appreciate all of your help. What
a star!

To anyone else reading this post I truly recommend Dean-Dean because he
gives great advice, instructions and he knows what he's on about!