How to find WDDM compatible driver for my Asus X453M running on W7?

WimYogya · 12 Apr 2015

Hello,
I bought a new Asus X453M notebook/laptop for my partner. The shop installed (upon our request) W7 Ultimate but it was a terrible amateurish mess, including tons of spyware, browser hijack etc. Cleaning up the mess with various antivirus tools seemed finally successful - but it was NOT. Complete clean reinstall was necessary.

Before doing so I found out that this Asus model is preset for Windows 8.1 and BIOS-changes were necessary before installing W7. I followed the instructions, then installed W7 successfully. After that lots of W7-related drivers had to be downloaded, which I found on a website dealing with this Asus model. Most of all these steps were eventually successfully completed.

But there is ONE thing I cannot get done:
The W7 Aero glass look does not work and the task bar color cannot be changed in 'personalize'.
Troubleshooting says my video card can support the Aero feature, but I need to install a WDDM compatible driver for it.

But whatever I tried, I cannot find such driver.
Anyone?

If you reply, keep in mind I am not a computer expert at all. Every new step has a huge learning curve. So please be simple ;-)

Thanks, greetings,
Wim

AddRAM · 12 Apr 2015

Status Bar ? What are you talking about ?

Did you download and install the proper video driver from Asus ?

Did you run windows update ?

WimYogya · 12 Apr 2015

Sorry, my stupid mistake: not status bar, but task bar - where all the shortcuts of programs can be placed. I corrected the mistake already.
I installed the software/drivers that came with the laptop, and replaced the ones that were recommended on 2 website to 'change' my Asus into a Windows7 device. Not aware of any other Asus option - and nothing found if i keep searching.
And yes, I ran Windows Update, but in the first few runs no driver was installed that fixed the WDDM/Aero problem.

AddRAM · 12 Apr 2015

What happens when you click on an aero theme in Personalize ?

What message do you get ?

If all else fails, uninstall the video drivers, then just run windows update. See if it installs a driver.

WimYogya · 12 Apr 2015

When I click an Aero theme in Personalize, the theme is activated when it comes to wallpapers and sounds. But there is NO screensaver possible (video card not matching says the screensaver monitor), the status bar color does not change into the theme's one, the aero previews do not appear and the range of color icons to select a windows (taskbar) color does not appear.

No message.

Trying to find updates brings forward 3 or 4 different Windows screens saying that the driver should be changed/updated with a WDDM compatible one, but they do not tell you where to find it. Nor does Asus.

I am now updating all drivers that Driver Booster found and labeled 'extremely old' (2006-2010) or 'old'. See what happens next...

WimYogya · 12 Apr 2015

Hurrah! It looks like I did it...
After 5 different sessions of Windows Update, downloading tons of Windows7 drivers and installing updates for 13 outdated drivers that Driver Booster considered (very) old, the good old Aero Peek View is back, the task bar has the desired color and the screensaver works again.
What remains a miracle: why does a company sell a brandnew notebook with very outdated and problematic drivers?
Maybe everything is ok if you want the suggested Windows 8.1, but if they offer you the alternative of W7, they should give you the tools to make it work smoothly. Not an expedition into a digital jungle with strange monsters everywhere...
Disappointing start with this new Asus...

Hope this can help others.