Aero, transparency and Windows blinds problem

I really don't understand..

from Stardock Forums
I recently installed Vista, and one thing I just love and bow to is the transparency effect. The only problem is that I don't have the settings, nor do I have an Vista Aero theme to choose.

When I'm about to go to color schemes and customization, this is basically what I get:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/_Tristan_/wr.jpg

I've also tried Windows blinds, but no themes are applied, and as soon as I've applied a theme, it throws me back to the classic Windows look. It's really frustrating, as no customization seems to be working.
And no, I haven't used any previous version of Windows blinds, so I doubt that It's a program conflict. Do you people have any idea what it can be? :/
5,866 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Please post your system information from the WB System information page.

Also how much ram do you have?

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 1

Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 1.9

WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 5 (5.50 (build 100 x86 - Vista Edition))

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

(Generic PnP Monitor) 1 is attached to RADEON 9250 (Microsoft Corporation - XDDM)

Wblind.dll 2007/02/21 16:07:20
Wbsrv.dll 2007/02/21 16:08:05
Wbconfig.exe 2007/02/21 15:06:33
Wbload.exe 2006/09/30 13:59:14
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 15:37:07
Tray.dll 2006/04/28 18:27:49
Wbload.dll 2007/01/23 18:48:56



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I've got 1024 mb ram, but it really shouldn't matter. A friend of mine got just as much, only that he has the Aero theme.

Come to think about it.. Doesn't Vista scan the computer at the first startup, and adapt the Vista operative system based on that?
Could it be that my graphic card sucks? (Which it actually does).
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If your graphics card doesn't have the right drivers to apply Aero, you won't have the transparency option. Windowblinds can't display transparency if Aero isn't enabled.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Radeon 9250 does not support Aero as it is a DX 8.1 card rather than a DX9 card.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
*Nods to Neil* I was also gonna say that it would Seem to be a video card or video driver issue..
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
The Radeon 9250 does not support Aero as it is a DX 8.1 card rather than a DX9 card.


So even if I do update the card with the latest drivers, I'm not going to get it to work, since the card is too old, right?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You will never get Aero to run with that card.

WindowBlinds should work, but on Vista you will not get per pixel transparency.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

You will never get Aero to run with that card.


WindowBlinds should work, but on Vista you will not get per pixel transparency.



Ah, I see. Many thanks. (: I'm going to buy a new configured PC tomorrow with Vista Ultimate pre-installed, so everything will hopefully run as it should. (:
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The cheapest solution is to buy any recent ati or nvidia graphics card (ATI 9500+, X series, nvidia 6200 or above)
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 1

Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 1.9


Let me add that Vista will not be much fun with that scores.

EDIT : I see You are going for a new one, okay. makes my posting obsolete.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Your computer has a Windows Experience Index base score of 1

Your Windows Graphics Experience score is 1.9


Let me add that Vista will not be much fun with that scores.

EDIT : I see You are going for a new one, okay. makes my posting obsolete.


What kind of things are you able to do with a better PC that runs Vista exept for Dream and dynamic themes?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd stick with XP