Windows needs WDDM Compatible driver for Aero Effects

cdmoomaw · 30 Oct 2011

Hi. I've recently installed Windows 7 Pro x64 via VirtualBox (See System Specs for specifics) because like it or not, if you want to run OS X and Windows Side-by-Side, it really only works one way. but when trying to use Windows, I find that many Aero Effects and 3D Games just don't work. I am currently downloading the AMD Catalyst 11.10 Preview 3. Is this what I need to be downloading? Or is there something else that I am missing.

Thanks,
~ Chris

cdmoomaw · 30 Oct 2011

Okay, I've finished downloading the above mentioned download, and it's hung at "Detecting graphics hardware" the same thing happened when trying to use AMD's auto driver detection software. Anything?

Kari · 30 Oct 2011

You can not install GPU and soundcard drivers on a virtual machine running on VirtualBox. A virtual machine does not use the hardware of your host computer; instead it uses emulated hardware. All Windows guests running on VirtualBox use Microsoft Basic Display Adapter which supports Aero but is not very good on games and 3D.

The only way to run Windows on Mac using the Mac's physical hardware is to install Windows on Boot Camp.

Kari

cdmoomaw · 30 Oct 2011

okay...that explains a lot. But whether it is supposed to or not, Windows says that the GPU installed does *not* support Aero. Is there a driver I need? if so, could you so kindly supply a link.

Kari · 31 Oct 2011

I'm not on my own rig now so can not make specific actual screenshots, but first thing for you to do is to open settings for your Windows virtual machine, select Display from the left pane and set video memory to max (128 MB) and enable 3D Video Acceleration (see screenshot on this tutorial, part 1 step 15; tutorial is for Linux but procedure and settings are the same).

Secondly, if not already installed you need to install VirtualBox Guest Additions for better integration between host and guest (screenshot here, part 2 step 15; it's a tutorial on installing Linux on VirtualBox but the menu from where you'll find Guest Addition link is the same).

Kari

cdmoomaw · 31 Oct 2011

Thanks, but I've already done that prior to even opening this thread (in fact I've actually set the memory it 256 megs). Nonetheless, windows still claims to be on a non-supported adapter.

**cluberti** · 05 Nov 2011

As previously mentioned, the only way you're going to get decent graphics performance for Windows 7 on the Mac is to run it in boot camp, not in a virtual machine.

cdmoomaw · 06 Nov 2011

cluberti said:

As previously mentioned, the only way you're going to get decent graphics performance for Windows 7 on the Mac is to run it in boot camp, not in a virtual machine.

Thanks, that's what I did anyway. It's an incontinence, yes, but not only are the graphics better, I have the system's entire 4 GB of RAM and processor available for use as opposed to partitioning it off, in fact, I am posting this from Boot camp windows now.