Solved Windows 7 Aero randomly stopped working

[carlos28355]

Just the other day my Aero stopped working. Ive been using Windows 7 and my graphics card since win7 was released. My graphics card is ati radeon 3450. i know its older but thats fine for me. money is tight so if so i want to avoid buying anything. im using Windows 7 x64. The MSFixit for Aero says that my graphics card does not support Aero. I know is false because its been working fine. I have directx 11 installed currently. I am all the way up to date on Windows updates. I have downloaded the latest driver for my card from ati's website. tried uninstalling and reinstalling it. Looked at my system restore points it shows nothing happened within a few days of my problem starting. im not sure what other info to give...thanks for your help!

 

[koolkat77]

Hi carlos28355

• click on the rb:
• type in search aero and it should show find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects
• run the troubleshooter and see if that fixes it

Keep us posted.

 

[carlos28355]

thanks for response i have already done that (just did it again to make sure) and that troubleshooter says it couldnt identify the problem. Only when i run the msfixit for aero is when it says the card is not compatible...

* i have no other problems with graphics or really anything else to make me feel that the card is bad. Although im sure thats always a possibility it just seems that if it was there would probably be other issues too...I am a head tech at a computer repair shop (hey we can always use help) ha. so i do know my way around a computer and ive checked everything i can think of. I am trying to avoid a clean OS install i dont feel like going through that process right now (=

 

[koolkat77]

Could you post a screen shot of how your desktop looks now? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[carlos28355]

thanks again for response! here is the screen shot of desktop..also i have stopped EVERYTHING in start up (not services of course) another thing aside from Aero not working is my windows stickies arent displaying properly. the borders of the sticky are the correct color, yellow, green, blue or whatever but now where the text goes is all white...which happened at the same time the Aero thing started and those 2 things are the ONLY things that are wrong as far as i can tell...

 

[koolkat77]

Follow these steps to enable Desktop Windows Manager:

1. Click the rb: (Start) in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen.
2. Type in: services into the Start Search textbox. If prompted by the UAC, provide a password or confirmation. Click Continue.
3. Scroll down until you locate the entry that is labeled: “Desktop Window Manager Session Manager”
4. Right-click on this service. Select Start from the context menu.
5. Right click once again on the entry. Select Properties from the context menu.
6. Go to the “General tab.” Change the Start up Type to "Enabled." Click OK.


Let us know if its working now.

 

[carlos28355]

That service was already started. I tried stopping it and starting it again. i do not have "Enabled" in startup type..have auto delayed. auto. manual and disabled. it was and still is set to auto

 

[koolkat77]

Do a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html and reboot if it finds violations

 

[carlos28355]

it found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them

 

[koolkat77]

Run it two more times.

 

[carlos28355]

alright done three times each time said the same thing that it couldnt fix some stuff i restarted after each scan..nothings changed

 

[koolkat77]

Did you try applying a aero theme?

 

[writhziden]

Did you recently update the graphics card drivers?

I know that older ATI cards have a difficult time with drivers beyond 11.7. The drivers in the 12.x range are actually intended for the 6000 and 7000 series cards and can cause problems with older cards. I have an HD 4850, and the newer drivers wreaked havoc on my system to an extent, so I removed them and let Windows choose the appropriate files for me.


Also, please provide us with your sfcdetails.txt file by following OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html.

 

[carlos28355]

just tried different ones..nothings changed

 

[writhziden]

Also, please provide us with your sfcdetails.txt file by following OPTION THREE of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html.

It appears you missed the above. Please read it again so we may provide better help.

 

[carlos28355]

It appears you missed the above. Please read it again so we may provide better help.

indeed i did...haha here it is sorry and thanks

 

[karlsnooks]

This is the file that is corrupted:
aero.msstyles

This file is normally located at:
C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\aero

You can go thru the agony of extracting that file out of your Win 7 DVD or you can go to another 64 bit computer,
copy the file to a usb stick and then paste the file into C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\aero

 

[carlos28355]

sweet ill try that...doesnt matter which version as long as its x64 correct?

 

[karlsnooks]

Correct.

 

[karlsnooks]

You really should, so that we can be of better assistance, use the following procedure to fill out your system specs:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.