Windows 7: Graphics subsystem resources are over-utilized

I keep getting the following messages in Diagnostics-Performance log, and have not been able to track much down regarding this on the web. (see attachment)

Any ideas what is causing this and how to resolve? I have a myriad of MCE7 issues related to tuners, but I still get this system error message even when there is no tuner cards installed.


Event ID: 500
"The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention."
Scenario: The Desktop Window Manager responsiveness has degraded

Event ID: 501
"The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention."
Reason: Graphics subsystem resources are over-utilized.
Diagnosis: A sharp degradation in Desktop Window Manager responsiveness was observed.

Desktop Window Manager is what enables all the aero theme stuff like transparency, and also what stores the contents of entire application windows in graphic RAM, thus allowing you to move windows around smoothly. The amount of video ram you need depends on how big your monitor is, how many monitors there are, and how many open applications/windows you have. With Aero on, that might become tight cusing the errors you are getting. Try the following:

1) Turn off Aero. Aero makes heavy use of the video card. See if that makes a difference.

2) Do you have 2 monitors? Try disconnecting one.

3) Try updating your video drivers as well.

The best solution of course would be to invest in a new graphics card, otherwise you'll need to significantly slim down vram usage.

I have this issue alot. I have dual graphics cards and 8Gbs of DDR2 1100. A Phenom II 965BE with liquid cooling and a cooler on the RAM. I just go into "Performance and Tools" in the control panel, then adjust visual effects in the left panel at the top and set the mode to performance from appearance when I run games then back again when working just with internet explorer and windows. It has stopped the issue for me. Even though when I am in game with appearance on windows still shows 6Gbs free memory I still see this problem. So I just set it to performance! If you are running a windows blinds like Darkmatter from Hyperdesk it will turn that off also. When done gaming or other just turn visual effects back to appearance and reapply the scheme. Sounds annoying but the frame rates are way better!