Graphic Problems? Aero and Alt Tab not working properly...

The Matt · 02-06-2007, 08:58 AM

I recently updated my XP home to Vista Home Premium. I did use the upgrade advisor and the only thing recommended was that I upgrade my RAM (512) to 1 GB. Something that I plan on doing very soon.

Right now my notebook (Alienware) is running with the 512 MB of RAM, and running Vista pretty slow. My notebook is also currently running with a video card that my computer defines as this...

Caption: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600
Adapter RAM: 128MB
DriverVersion: 6.14.10.7810

From what I understand this video card is at least above average. But still, my vista does not load with the complete Aero theme, nor will it allow me to use the windows 3d Flip (Alt-tab) feature. When I go into the control panel and go to performance information, my graphics and gaming graphics both got scores of 1.9 and 1.0 respectively. Is it my video card or the lack of RAM that is making my computer not run these features and be "inferior" in the graphics department. I thought I had a good video card at least.

Thanks in advance

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cando · 02-06-2007, 09:20 AM

To run Aero you need 1gb ram

felix8406 · 02-06-2007, 09:23 AM

Cando is correct. Here are the requirements from MS Site:

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs

Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor¹).

1 GB of system memory.

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)², Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.

40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.

DVD-ROM Drive³.

Audio output capability.

Internet access capability.

Znod · 02-06-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Matt

I recently updated my XP home to Vista Home Premium. I did use the upgrade advisor and the only thing recommended was that I upgrade my RAM (512) to 1 GB. Something that I plan on doing very soon.

Right now my notebook (Alienware) is running with the 512 MB of RAM, and running Vista pretty slow. My notebook is also currently running with a video card that my computer defines as this...

Caption: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600
Adapter RAM: 128MB
DriverVersion: 6.14.10.7810

From what I understand this video card is at least above average. But still, my vista does not load with the complete Aero theme, nor will it allow me to use the windows 3d Flip (Alt-tab) feature. When I go into the control panel and go to performance information, my graphics and gaming graphics both got scores of 1.9 and 1.0 respectively. Is it my video card or the lack of RAM that is making my computer not run these features and be "inferior" in the graphics department. I thought I had a good video card at least.

Thanks in advance

I think you do have a good Video card, but Vista has upped the ante. As you know, 128 MB, with WDDM is the minimum for full Aero. It is possible that you will need to obtain a beta driver from NVIDIA. The betas are easy to find on the company's site, but let me know if you have problems.

Others have noted that your problem also may be a function of not having enough RAM, although your card score is too low too. A work around, which would not be considered to be a crack or contrary to the MS EULA and is supposed to allow machines with 512 to run full Aero has been posted various places, including here I think. I will search for it and get back to you if I find it. Again, I am not sure if the mod works, in general, or would work for you specifically.

Edit: I have searched, but no luck so far. It looks like I can't go far enough back in time.

felix8406 · 02-06-2007, 02:24 PM

[QUOTE=Znod]A work around, which would not be considered to be a crack or contrary to the MS EULA and is supposed to allow machines with 512 to run full Aero.QUOTE]

I think this what you were talking about http://www.vistababble.com/downloads...other-tips.pdf, page 35.

The issue has to do with Aero Glass not enabling itself even though the rating indicates that the PC should be able to run the Aero Glass. It’s supposedly a known issue with Vista RC2 and should be fixed in RTM. However, if you don’t get the RTM, there is a walk around so you can take advantage of the Aero Glass now, without waiting until January.
1. Click Start, type RegEdit and it Enter.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Windows and click DWM
3. Double-Click Composition (right pane) and set the Value data to 1 and click OK
4. Double-Click CompositionPolicy (right pane) and set the Value data to 1 and click OK.
5. Close RegEdit.

But the key words there iare that the PC must be able to run Aero in the first place. I have not try it, so I cannot comment about it, but maybe it'll work.

The Matt · 02-06-2007, 03:07 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. Once I do upgrade my computer to 1 GB of RAM and download all the drivers I can from NVIDIA, I'll try it out again. Any problems and I know where to look for great help. :-)

Znod · 02-06-2007, 03:51 PM

You are very welcome, and good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Znod · 02-06-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felix8406

Quote:

Originally Posted by Znod

A work around, which would not be considered to be a crack or contrary to the MS EULA and is supposed to allow machines with 512 to run full Aero.

I think this what you were talking about http://www.vistababble.com/downloads...other-tips.pdf, page 35.

Humm? I don't understand what I am supposed to do after following your link or the reference to p. 35. But, thanks, whatever.

felix8406 · 02-06-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Znod

Humm? I don't understand what I am supposed to do after following your link or the reference to p. 35. But, thanks, whatever.

I was referring to your comment: “A work around, which would not be considered to be a crack or contrary to the MS EULA and is supposed to allow machines with 512 to run full Aero has been posted various places, including here I think.”

So if you go to the link I provided it will take you to the PDF document, which will have the information you were seeking on page 35, or you can use Ctrl+F, enter Aero to help you find what you are looking for. Here’s the link again just in case http://www.vistababble.com/downloads...other-tips.pdf

Znod · 02-07-2007, 09:38 PM

I see. Well, the Ctrl+F did not take me anywhere of significance. Maybe, I did not follow your instructions correctly. And, I was trying to use a more narrow descriptor than "Aero" since there are so many "Aero" posts. It appeared to me that the search record would not take me back far enough in time when I used the more specific descriptors. But, on the other hand, maybe my descriptors just didn't go very far back in time. I did a search using the search tab at the top of the screen. I got way more posts than I was willing to look through.

joseph · 03-10-2007, 01:39 PM

TO RUN aero, you do not need 1GB of ram if you are using a Video card that has 512MB RAm, because Vista (i think) will just share your VRAM with ur RAM, so you get Run AERO, with maybe a little not smootly, but trsut me i have 768MB RAM, 512MB VRAM, and AERO runs like a horse.

02-06-2007, 08:58 AM	#1
The Matt Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2	Graphic Problems? Aero and Alt Tab not working properly... I recently updated my XP home to Vista Home Premium. I did use the upgrade advisor and the only thing recommended was that I upgrade my RAM (512) to 1 GB. Something that I plan on doing very soon. Right now my notebook (Alienware) is running with the 512 MB of RAM, and running Vista pretty slow. My notebook is also currently running with a video card that my computer defines as this... Caption: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6600 Adapter RAM: 128MB DriverVersion: 6.14.10.7810 From what I understand this video card is at least above average. But still, my vista does not load with the complete Aero theme, nor will it allow me to use the windows 3d Flip (Alt-tab) feature. When I go into the control panel and go to performance information, my graphics and gaming graphics both got scores of 1.9 and 1.0 respectively. Is it my video card or the lack of RAM that is making my computer not run these features and be "inferior" in the graphics department. I thought I had a good video card at least. Thanks in advance
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02-06-2007, 09:20 AM	#2
cando Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15	To run Aero you need 1gb ram
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02-06-2007, 09:23 AM	#3
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	Cando is correct. Here are the requirements from MS Site: Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware. A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least: 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor¹). 1 GB of system memory. Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)², Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel. 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space. DVD-ROM Drive³. Audio output capability. Internet access capability. __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
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02-06-2007, 02:24 PM	#5
felix8406 ABXpert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,628	[QUOTE=Znod]A work around, which would not be considered to be a crack or contrary to the MS EULA and is supposed to allow machines with 512 to run full Aero.QUOTE] I think this what you were talking about http://www.vistababble.com/downloads...other-tips.pdf, page 35. The issue has to do with Aero Glass not enabling itself even though the rating indicates that the PC should be able to run the Aero Glass. It’s supposedly a known issue with Vista RC2 and should be fixed in RTM. However, if you don’t get the RTM, there is a walk around so you can take advantage of the Aero Glass now, without waiting until January. 1. Click Start, type RegEdit and it Enter. 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Windows and click DWM 3. Double-Click Composition (right pane) and set the Value data to 1 and click OK 4. Double-Click CompositionPolicy (right pane) and set the Value data to 1 and click OK. 5. Close RegEdit. But the key words there iare that the PC must be able to run Aero in the first place. I have not try it, so I cannot comment about it, but maybe it'll work. __________________ Your site for Free Always software: [URL="http://http://www.softdorm.com/"]http://http://www.softdorm.com/[/URL]
(Offline)

02-06-2007, 03:07 PM	#6
The Matt Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2	Thanks for all the input guys. Once I do upgrade my computer to 1 GB of RAM and download all the drivers I can from NVIDIA, I'll try it out again. Any problems and I know where to look for great help. :-)
(Offline)

02-06-2007, 03:51 PM	#7
Znod ABXpert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 3,136	You are very welcome, and good luck. Let us know how it goes. __________________ [CENTER][sigpic][/sigpic] [COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"][/COLOR][URL=http://homepage.mac.com/donv1/.Pictures/Vista/Bannerxx.jpg][B]Larger Sig Pic Linked Here[/B][/URL][/CENTER]
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02-07-2007, 09:38 PM	#10
Znod ABXpert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 3,136	I see. Well, the Ctrl+F did not take me anywhere of significance. Maybe, I did not follow your instructions correctly. And, I was trying to use a more narrow descriptor than "Aero" since there are so many "Aero" posts. It appeared to me that the search record would not take me back far enough in time when I used the more specific descriptors. But, on the other hand, maybe my descriptors just didn't go very far back in time. I did a search using the search tab at the top of the screen. I got way more posts than I was willing to look through. __________________ [CENTER][sigpic][/sigpic] [COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"][/COLOR][URL=http://homepage.mac.com/donv1/.Pictures/Vista/Bannerxx.jpg][B]Larger Sig Pic Linked Here[/B][/URL][/CENTER]
(Offline)

03-10-2007, 01:39 PM	#11
joseph Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 95	TO RUN aero, you do not need 1GB of ram if you are using a Video card that has 512MB RAm, because Vista (i think) will just share your VRAM with ur RAM, so you get Run AERO, with maybe a little not smootly, but trsut me i have 768MB RAM, 512MB VRAM, and AERO runs like a horse.
(Offline)

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