Theme glitch: half aero, half classic

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #1

    Theme glitch: half aero, half classic


    Hello, entire 7F community,

    I put this problem here because it relates not just to theme files, but is also about system files and/or advanced solutions. I know that this question (or at least its other variant) has been asked before, but I didn't manage to find the solution.

    The problem is:
    After failed boot with incompatible firewire card (tried WinXP drivers as legacy hardware driver, etc) I removed it and just to make sure that the PC would boot I've copied whole system32 from Win7 installation disk (X:\Windows) directly to original windir (C:\windows) using "xcopy /E /H /R /Y" thus attempting to fix somehow incorrect and not included in C:\windows IEEE 1394 driver in the process. The PC booted. But now I noticed that the taskbar was in classic style with aero top edge (see here) and any explorer window looks like this (notice the edges of the window and compare it to organize/system properties/etc bar).

    Steps I have taken since then (in order):
    • Ran chkdsk /f /r
    • Ran sfc /scannow
    • Done an in-place upgrade
    • Set visuals to maximum quality (best appearance)
    • Reinstalled GPU drivers
    • Restarted themes and uxsms many times (aero/basic themes become grey until reboot)
    • Ran Fixit troubleshooters


    None of those helped.

    I didn't set up system backup/recovery, so this option won't help me a bit.
    Last edited by paulius5; 27 Jul 2013 at 10:47.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,454
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit Professional
       #2

    Hello Paulius5, and welcome to the SevenForums,

    Please patch your system with Universal Theme Patcher by following step one to six of this tutorial and reboot afterwards.
    If the Aero theme still resembles the Windows Classic theme, please report back to us.


    Good luck and keep us posted,
    Nommy
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Updated, but no go. Any other solutions?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,454
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit Professional
       #4

    Hello Paulius5,

    Here are a few things, please try the first one first, and if that doesn't work, try the second one, which will force Aero to be displayed.


      1. Navigate to the Control Panel.
      2. Under System and Security, click on Find and fix problems.
      3. In the new window under Appearance and Personalization, click on Display Aero desktop effect.
      4. Follow the on-screen instructions.





      1. Open Notepad.exe.
      2. Copy and paste the text in the following code box into notepad:
        Code:
        Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
        
        [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM]
        
        “UseMachineCheck”=dword:00000000
        “Blur”=dword:00000000
        “Animations”=dword:00000000
      3. Save it to the desktop as Aero.reg .
      4. Double click it and execute it.






    Good luck and keep us posted,
    Nommy
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    I think your issues partly stem from this....

    paulius5 said:
    just to make sure that the PC would boot I've copied whole system32 from Win7 installation disk (X:\Windows) directly to original windir (C:\windows) using "xcopy /E /H /R /Y" thus attempting to fix somehow incorrect and not included in C:\windows IEEE 1394 driver in the process.
    I would attempt a repair reinstall and go from there - Repair Install

    BTW Windows 7 does have native IEEE 1394 support; however, as you noted if you're trying to use an older card, that may be an issue. Seems a little weird though considering as I said, there is already support for 1394.

    Anyway try the repair reinstall and go from there. The other issue could also be video drivers. Try reinstalling/updating those as well.

    Let us know.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #6

    nommy the first: Sadly, those two didn't work. The troubleshooter says that everything's OK, and registry hack didn't do anything at all.

    sygnus21: repair install IS an in-place upgrade, since it's just upgrading Win7 to Win7.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,454
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit Professional
       #7

    Hmm, if that doesn't work then all I can think of are steps three, five, seven, eight, twelve and thirteen of this troubleshooting guide.

    If none of those work, then you might want to preform a Clean Reinstall of Windows..


    Good luck and keep us posted,
    Nommy
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #8

    #3 - out

    #5 - didn't find that

    #7 - what should I see in that?

    #8 will wait until next boot, but I doubt it's RAM related.

    #12 - the only problem is Hamachi, harmless and unrelated with this issue.

    #13 - no go.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    paulius5 said:
    nommy the first: Sadly, those two didn't work. The troubleshooter says that everything's OK, and registry hack didn't do anything at all.

    sygnus21: repair install IS an in-place upgrade, since it's just upgrading Win7 to Win7.
    You might see it that way but it actually isn't since nothing is being "upgraded". What's happening is missing/corrupt/deleted files are being installed, replaced, and/or repaired... not "upgraded"....


    Do a Repair installation if:
    • A System Restore did not help fix your Windows 7.
    • There is no other easier option left that can fix your Windows 7.
    • You DO NOT want to do a Clean reinstall of Windows 7.
    • You DO want to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers.
    Source: Repair Install

    Peace
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,454
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit Professional
       #10

    paulius5 said:
    #7 - what should I see in that?
    Could be a registry issue.

    I agree with Sygnus, if nothing works, try a repair install just to be sure.


    Good luck and keep us posted,
    Nommy
      My Computer


 
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