The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Losing Windows Aero when i switch GFX

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Zill, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. Zill

    Zill Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    115
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Its all in the title really, I can't change to the Intel GFX without losing Windows Aero and if I switch back its the same thing, no aero...

    Anyone has the same issue? Any ideas?


    Thanks guys!
     
  2. azboomer

    azboomer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is it putting Windows into the power save profile when you go to the Intel integrated graphics? If so, put it back to balance or high performance.
     
  3. MegaTherion

    MegaTherion Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Have seen the issue here as well, and after driver installs (i.e. uninstall/reinstall of sound driver) Aero switches to Basic mode and I have to restart the Desktop Windows Manager Session Manager service or reboot. Not sure what's causing it, I assume some problem with the video driver.
     
  4. TechnoWhore

    TechnoWhore Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I had a similar issue with my R3 when i first got it, but it stopped doing it after I had to reinstall my OS onto a new drive. Do you have the latest version of Alienware OSD Application (from dell downloads). This has a fix for aero transparency failure. The only other time I have experienced this is when I switched GFX, but it didn't switch properly and got stuck on basic. Needed a reboot to fix. Happens when the HWINFO program crashes out (if you have it).
     
  5. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    5,395
    Messages:
    4,571
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    105
    The most recent version (9/25/2011) of Alienware OSD cures the aero problem for most people. It did for me. Drivers and Downloads.

    Edit: Beat me to it, Techno. :)
     
  6. MegaTherion

    MegaTherion Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for the info Techno and the confirmation Rev :)
     
  7. TechnoWhore

    TechnoWhore Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    31
    You wouldn't believe how many times I've been on the other end mate :) You were far more concise :)
     
  8. Zill

    Zill Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    115
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Thanks for your help everyone!

    I think its because I'm always switching the GFX whilst being in power saver moder which automatically goes into windows basic mode.

    I'll have a little try later and see what happens.

    I should think I have the latest OSD drivers since I just got my laptop 2 weeks ago! Will check though!

    cheers!