Windows Aero
I have an onboard graphics card with 128mb of video ram, which is just enough for Windows Aero. Unfortunately, it doesn't support Windows Desktop Manager. Does anybody know how to force enable Windows Aero through a registry hack, .etc. I am not ready to upgrade my graphics card just for Aero. For those who are curious, I have 3.5gb of RAM so that isn't the issue.
January 29th, 2009 9:00am

Hi And what is you video card model, and why you think that it cannot supports aero?
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January 29th, 2009 3:25pm

First, what is the video chipset of your onboard video? To get Aero (in the case you are using the basic theme), right-click your desktop and select Personalize. Select one of the themes from the Windows Themes section. That alone should enable Aero for you. If you still lack the Aero enhancements, you may have to double-check your performance settings. Right-click Computer on the Start Menu and select Properties. On the left side of the dialog box, select Advanced System Settings. When it comes up, you should be on the Advanced tab. Click the Settings button under the Performance heading. See what your Visual Effects tab reads.
January 29th, 2009 4:43pm

Well, I have an Intel 82915G Graphics card and I tried to enable Aero through advanced settings and it didn't work. I set performance options to adjust for best appearance. If anybody has a suggestion, please let me know. If I can't enable Aero, I will purchase another graphics card later, because I also used tips from different websites on how to force enable Aero through Windows Registry editor and I had to reinstall Windows 7.
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January 30th, 2009 1:18am

The entire 915 chipset family, only supports the XPDM driver model, to support Aero you'll need a WDDM driver capable chipset. Willy.
January 30th, 2009 1:26am

Do you know how to force enable Aero, because I haven't seen Aero on Windows 7 before and I heard that they made changes to the appearance of it. I don't want to replace my graphics card yet for a couple of bells and whistles.
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January 30th, 2009 1:31am

Willy has your answer. For Aero, you will need a supported video cardprovided you have an available slot. Hacking the registry to bypass an architectural requirement will leave you in situations where you will have to reinstall Windows 7. Dont start off using bad habits.
January 30th, 2009 3:32am

AsDarienHawk67said messing around with the registry settings could leave you having to reinstall windows. One tricke to try is to set the Windows Desktop Manager service to Automatic(delayed) and see if the service starts up. It can sometimes start without fail even on unsupported graphic cards. If you have problems after setting the service to automatic you can easily boot up in safe mode and disable with no need to reinstall
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January 30th, 2009 4:34am

So, how can you enable Windows Desktop Manager?
January 30th, 2009 5:41am

Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Administrative Tools > Services Find the service "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" Right click on the service and set to automatic, then apply, then click on start
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January 30th, 2009 5:44am

I went to turn on Windows Desktop Manager and it was already running. I restarted the service and tried to apply a Windows Aero theme and it only changed the background. I plan on replacing the graphics card later but I would at least like a preview of Windows Aero. My graphics card got a system rating of 1.0.
January 30th, 2009 5:59am

You'll most likely have to get a newer graphics card if you want to use Aero.
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January 30th, 2009 9:37am

Well, since everybody insists for me to get a new graphics card, what would you recommend? I have an HP dc5100 SFF, so my space is limited. It only accepts PCI and PCI express. I am also on a budget. I hope not to spend over $100.
February 11th, 2009 1:24am

well depends what else you want to use the card for, but i would say unless your planning on getting into gaming pretty heavily you dont need anything too powerful. heres a link to Neweggs low profile range. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=low+profile+pci+e+video+card&x=0&y=0Im not too hot on the Radeon models, but having had a look through the prices, theres some pretty nice Geforce 9600 models inside the price range you quoted. Theres also a nice 9800 at $129.00 but i didnt link that as you said up to $100. Pretty much any card in the Geforce 8xxx range and 9xxx range as long as PCI-E, low profile and Direct x 10 compatible should be more than adequate for what you are wanting, and i am sure others will point out equivalent Radeon based cards.
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February 11th, 2009 2:13am

Thanks for the info. They have reasonable prices. I may take one into consideration later.
February 11th, 2009 5:27am

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