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    Differerent Colours With Aero Off?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by NikonUser, Jan 17, 2008.

  1. NikonUser

    NikonUser Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi there,

    When I am using my laptop on battery power I like to turn off Aero in Vista as I have heard it sucks up battery life...

    However I really don't like the default colours of the 'non-Aero' theme. Is there any way to change the colours like you can with Aero? I just want a dark/black theme.

    If not, is it possible to download more themes from somewhere like you can do for XP? If so, can you suggest where?

    Thanks
    Paul
     
    NikonUser, Jan 17, 2008
    #1
  2. MYK

    MYK Newbie NBR Reviewer

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    You can, I use graphite black which looks great. I'm no longer on Vista, don't remember exactly where/how but I remember it's the transparency option that gives you the option to change the color of the tabs. Without going into aero, you just turn off transparency and choose graphite rather than default. It's somewhere around display properties, or graphics properties.
     
    MYK, Jan 17, 2008
    #2
  3. NikonUser

    NikonUser Notebook Enthusiast

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    Graphite black is what I want....

    However transparency options are only available with the Aero theme enabled. As soon as I turn off the Aero theme the options go to the XP-like dialouge box.

    Is transparency what sucks up the resources? I don't mind using Aero with transparency disabled if it will give the same effects as turning it off.

    Paul
     
    NikonUser, Jan 17, 2008
    #3
  4. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

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    How to turn off (and then on) Aero in Vista?
    P.S: I am new to windows(ex Mac user).
     
    jimmy-floyd, Jan 17, 2008
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  5. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Control Panel - Appearance and Personalization - Personalization - Windows Color and Appearance.
     
    Lithus, Jan 17, 2008
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  6. mr.bobharris

    mr.bobharris Notebook Consultant

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    think about using vistaglazz. it patches the necessary files so that you can download and install new themes from places like deviant art and whatnot. there are lots of nice themes that dont require aero.
     
    mr.bobharris, Jan 17, 2008
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  7. cloud_nine

    cloud_nine Notebook Evangelist

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    Disabling Aero will save only a minuscule amount of battery (1-4%). The other settings within the Vista power options are much more dramatic, such as CPU throttling, and display settings. Start on those if you want longer battery life.
     
    cloud_nine, Jan 18, 2008
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  8. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    I don't really know what uses exactly how much resources, but...

    Try this:

    Control Panel > System Maintenance > Performance Information and Tools > Adjust visual effects

    Custom

    Turn off everything except:

    Enable desktop composition
    Smooth edges of screen fonts
    Use visual styles on windows and buttons

    This is the minimum that I consider reasonably decent to look at. You can see if it helps with battery or not, and how much... I don't really know.
     
    swarmer, Jan 18, 2008
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