Windows 7 Basic Theme Freezing

Are you restarting after the change to a basic theme? It shouldn't be necessary, but I thought I'd ask.
As the issue affects sound and graphics, there must be a timing issue when you change from Aero to basic themes.


A Guy asked about another user profile on the machine. If you don't have a 2nd user, try creating a temporary user to test if the issue is user profile related. After creating the new user, log off your normal profile and log on to the new profile. Try the same test with the new profile (change theme from aero to basic, then minimize a window). Same issue?

You might see if adjusting System Properties > Perfomance Options > Visual Effects helps.

If you have a custom scheme, record your existing settings (screenshots will do)

Try the upper three option picks (Let Windows, Best appear, best perf)
Minimize a window after each change is applied and see if any make a difference.

Thanks Jason,

the regQuery on your machine and mine are identical.

Sorry... I wasn't clear when I asked about a custom scheme. I meant "Do you select a custom set of options for Visual Effects in System Properties > Performance Options". It's moot now.

Excellent sleuthing on the Best Performance pick - your analysis makes perfect sense.

I run a custom set, opting to turn off most of the animations, slides, fades, shadows....




Does this qualify as a solved issue?

Fair enough.

I'm curious about the sound issue too. If you set it to best performance, is the still a lag in audio?

Yeah, it's not a matter of hardware handling the effects, I think it's a software timing issue. Windows is told to animate the minimize and the basic theme doesn't employ aero to animate the process, so it "shrugs". I don't think it's all that weird - you're telling Windows to do something (animate minimize/maximize) in one configuration and telling windows not to use the feature (aero) that allows the first configuration. Should Windows behave differently... probably.

You could try choosing Best Appearance and unticking the two min-max windows animations.

While perhaps not solved, it seems to be a viable workaround. Especially since you say you normally run in Aero.

That's all I can add, good luck.

Bill
.

1.) This is a longshot, but have you tried the built in windows 7 aero troubleshooter?

, control panel. System and Security-Click Troubleshoot common computer problems under action center. Click display aero desktop effects.

Let me know what the troubleshooter says.



2.)

Please Run sfc /scan now using option 2 in this tutorial: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please post back the results.
Please indicate what message was displayed at the end:

Windows found no integrity violations

OR

Corrupt files were found, and windows was unable to fix them.

OR

Corrupt files were found, and windows successfully repaired them

3.) Go to here:

Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 7

Download the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager and merge the file. Restart.

This happens with the discreet HD7870? Can you test with the IGPU HD 4000? See if it's the same. A Guy

Same thing. It always freezes for a few seconds.

I notice that if I unplug or plug in my mouse (receiver or cable), that it also freezes for 1-2 seconds including sound.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I also get window trailing on Basic and High Contrast themes.