Author Topic: Vista Aero Failed. (Read 14964 times)

AIBaon · « **on:** December 15, 2008, 10:51:48 AM »

I have an Alienware m15x notebook computer running Vista Home Premium 32 bit. I have 4 gigs of RAM and an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.

I had Vista's lovely Aero interface working well, until I needed to install software on my computer for my engineering class (student at Syracuse University). We used the stupid Lego Mindstorm RCXs, which aren't meant for Vista, so we had to modify a few things, run installers in compatibility modes and the rest.
One such major modification was removing my current Quicktime, and installing Quicktime 4 in its place - this made Vista not want to run vista aero, so I was stuck with Windows Vista Basic (The visual theme that looks like XP).

Now that I no longer need the Lego software, I have uninstalled it all except the Control panel "Lego USB Tower" which it won't let me uninstall. It says, "error deleting control panel applet." and then freezes and won't respond. I have also downloaded the newest Quicktime, but I still cannot change the theme to Vista Aero, it's not even on the list in Appearance Settings. Does anyone know why?
Aero was the best part about Vista... I don't have it now

... help please!

AIBaon · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2008, 06:36:51 PM »

.....Anyone have ANY ideas?

Broni · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2008, 07:09:03 PM »

How are you trying to delete Control Panel applet? There is no Delete option for Control Panel applets.
You can prevent them from starting, though: http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/55/1/Remove-Control-Panel-Applets (this is for XP, but same procedure applies to Vista).

AIBaon · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:18:51 AM »

So I want to do more than just delete the icon from the control panel, I want it gone. If I open the applet, it has a button to uninstall it, which doesn't work.

http://screencast.com/t/eZHWqcqwoqS

I'm afraid that removing the control panel applet will simply remove it from showing from view.

Broni · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2008, 06:08:07 PM »

Quote

I'm afraid that removing the control panel applet will simply remove it from showing from view.

No. It'll prevent the applet from loading.
After that you can search your computer for Lego ".cpl" file, and delete it.

fgdn17 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2008, 06:17:05 PM »

"so we had to modify a few things, run installers in compatibility modes and the rest."

and is this maybe the reason for "error deleting control panel applet." , modifying a few things

?

and/or maybe the control panel applet NEEDS to be uninstalled FIRST...!!!?

Broni · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:18:23 PM »

Quote

it has a button to uninstall it, which doesn't work

AIBaon · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:44:30 PM »

Okay, so I removed it and searched lego.cpl, deleted everything that was in that folder.

It still shows in the control panel, I'm assuming I need to reboot. I'll do that soon.

Broni · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:48:18 PM »

Yes, you need to reboot for registry changes to take effect.

AIBaon · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:19:29 PM »

Okay, I just rebooted, It's still there, except now when I try to uninstall it, it first says what it did before, "error deleting control panel applet." and then immediately after clicking ok, it says "Uninstallation successful, you may now unplug your Lego USB Tower."

But more to the main objective, Appearance settings still doesn't have Aero.

Broni · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:22:03 PM »

Do you have any restore point from before installing that Lego thingy?

AIBaon · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:24:53 PM »

Okay, I just rebooted, It's still there, except now when I try to uninstall it, it first says what it did before, "error deleting control panel applet." and then immediately after clicking ok, it says "Uninstallation successful, you may now unplug your Lego USB Tower."

But more to the main objective, Appearance settings still doesn't have Aero.

AIBaon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:26:34 PM »

Quote from: Broni on December 16, 2008, 08:22:03 PM

Do you have any restore point from before installing that Lego thingy?

Nope, in hindsight, I should have... but didn't. Everyone has 20/20 hindsight though.

Broni · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:33:17 PM »

Go Start>Run ("Start Search" in Vista), type in:
sfc /scannow
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy.
If System File Checker (sfc) will find any errors, it'll ask you for the CD/DVD.
If sfc won't find any errors in Windows XP, it'll simply quit, without any message.
In Vista you will receive the following message: "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations".

Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder. You'll see CBS.log file.
Usually, it's pretty big file, so upload it here: http://www.flyupload.com/, and post download link.

AIBaon · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:48:37 PM »

Okay, so I don't have a Windows CD handy, but I'll have access to it when I get back to School (Jan. 12)

Should I still run this?

patio · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:54:28 PM »

I've ran it 3 or 4 times in Vista as a test and it did not ask for the DVD...
Your Mileage May Vary......depending on what needs fixed.

Broni · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:55:28 PM »

...and we may see something in that log.

AIBaon · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:05:49 PM »

Okay, I ran it, it didn't give either of the replies you said, just opened a console window for an instant and then closed (I have Vista by the way.)

And now I can't open the CBS Log file, it says access denied. I went into properties to allow myself to open it, and gave myself "full control", but it still said access denied.
I tried to upload it, but it wouldn't let me do that either. Vista's trying to protect itself from me

patio · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:10:07 PM »

It's learning....

Broni · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:11:03 PM »

Take ownership of that file: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13157

AIBaon · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:13:58 PM »

Quote from: patio on December 16, 2008, 09:10:07 PM

It's learning....

If my computer is the start of Skynet, I'll be mad. (From Terminator, if you didn't catch that.)

AIBaon · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:18:38 PM »

Quote from: Broni on December 16, 2008, 09:11:03 PM

Take ownership of that file: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13157

I click "take ownership" : a console window appears for a little bit, disappears, and then nothing else happens. I try to open it again, and "access denied", once more. Maybe I'm using this program incorrectly?

Broni · « **Reply #22 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:21:53 PM »

Quote

I click "take ownership" : a console window appears for a little bit, disappears, and then nothing else happens

You're doing it correctly.
Right click on CBS.log, then "Open with", select Notepad.

AIBaon · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:26:08 PM »

yeah, same thing, access denied.

(my default program for that is notepad, I also tried opening it with notepad++, nothing new.)

Broni · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:33:12 PM »

Hmm....interesting...
Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows Vista: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/enable-the-hidden-administrator-account-on-windows-vista/
Login to it, and see, if same thing happens.
When done, disable it back - you don't want to mess it up.

patio · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:36:18 PM »

Vista will become fully aware on Aug 12th 2012......

AIBaon · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2008, 10:44:29 PM »

Quote from: Broni on December 16, 2008, 08:33:17 PM

Go Start>Run ("Start Search" in Vista), type in:
sfc /scannow
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy.
If System File Checker (sfc) will find any errors, it'll ask you for the CD/DVD.
If sfc won't find any errors in Windows XP, it'll simply quit, without any message.
In Vista you will receive the following message: "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations".

Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder. You'll see CBS.log file.
Usually, it's pretty big file, so upload it here: http://www.flyupload.com/, and post download link.

Here it is:

http://www.flyupload.com/?fid=763723974

May I ask what you're doing with this file? or how it's going to help?

Broni · « **Reply #27 on:** December 17, 2008, 09:28:46 AM »

The above file may show, if there are some errors regarding system files.
The file is big, so it may take a while to review it.

Broni · « **Reply #28 on:** December 17, 2008, 09:40:20 AM »

I can't tell, if this is gonna help, but I discovered several errors concerning two M$ files: Mferror.dll, and Mf.dll
There is M$ hotfix for this problem: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953395
Disregard the subject, just download it, and apply.
Create Restore Point, first!

AIBaon · « **Reply #29 on:** December 18, 2008, 06:36:34 PM »

Okay, I downloaded the hotfix and ran it.

Now what? What was it supposed to do?

Broni · « **Reply #30 on:** December 18, 2008, 08:42:25 PM »

I'm out of ideas....

AIBaon · « **Reply #31 on:** December 18, 2008, 08:51:15 PM »

Okay

Thanks anyway.

Broni · « **Reply #32 on:** December 18, 2008, 09:21:48 PM »

I wish, I was of more help....

AIBaon · « **Reply #33 on:** December 19, 2008, 09:22:44 AM »

Do you think maybe if I copied all my important files to an external USB or something and then did the laptop recovery thing, that would take care of it?

Broni · « **Reply #34 on:** December 19, 2008, 10:34:19 AM »

It absolutely should.

AIBaon · « **Reply #35 on:** December 19, 2008, 03:45:20 PM »

Okay, So Now do you think it's worth it?

I'll have to reinstall all my programs, right?

Broni · « **Reply #36 on:** December 19, 2008, 03:50:20 PM »

Yes, you'll have to reinstall all programs.

AIBaon · « **Reply #37 on:** December 21, 2008, 08:36:47 AM »

Sorry to keep resurrecting this fairly old thread now, but I found something that might help.

Instead of the screen savor I had, ribbons, it now displays, "This screen savor can't run because it requires a newer video card or one that's compatible with Direct3D" I know my video card is good enough to run this stuff because it has before. What is Direct3D and how to I make it work with my video card?

Broni · « **Reply #38 on:** December 21, 2008, 12:02:23 PM »

I think, this is all connected to your previous problems. I think, you have to reinstall.

Raptor · « **Reply #39 on:** December 21, 2008, 01:15:23 PM »

It doesn't seem that Quicktime is required to run Vista Aero, it is preventing it from running. See This

What if you remove Quicktime (And -everything- that belongs to it) in its entire?
Here is a guide that tells you how to remove most of it.

I -never- install Quicktime because I consider it an intrusive program so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information on these pages. If you're in doubt, you should report back here and we can evaluate the step they ask you to take.

What I do install is this; QuickTime Alternative 2.7.0 Less intrusive, same codecs.

AIBaon · « **Reply #40 on:** December 21, 2008, 10:16:38 PM »

Okay, so I completely removed Quicktime, and installed that alternative.

Aero still doesn't work, and my screen savor still shows that same message. any other ideas?

Broni · « **Reply #41 on:** December 21, 2008, 10:24:11 PM »

QuickTime has nothing to do with your broken aero.
If you had a chance to click on

Quote

See This

it says:

Quote

Published 07 March 07

I made a post about a year ago regarding how some applications have a side effect of disabling Aero. While it is still possible to create applications that have this side-effect (due to the underlying problem of applications accessing the primary display buffer directly), many of the applications that exhibited this behavior during the Beta process of Windows Vista have since been updated by their respective ISV's to no longer cause this.

The folks at Apple have done a great job specifically with updating iTunes and Quicktime prevent this problem

AIBaon · « **Reply #42 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:07:55 PM »

So... I'm still screwed?

What about this Direct3D?

Raptor · « **Reply #43 on:** December 22, 2008, 03:22:38 AM »

Quote

many of the applications that exhibited this behavior during the Beta process of Windows Vista have since been updated by their respective ISV's to no longer cause this.

The folks at Apple have done a great job specifically with updating iTunes and Quicktime prevent this problem

Didn't the guy claim he installed a very outdated version?

Raptor · « **Reply #44 on:** December 22, 2008, 03:25:16 AM »

Quote from: AIBaon on December 21, 2008, 11:07:55 PM

So... I'm still screwed?

What about this Direct3D?

Have you got Vista SP1 yet?
Have you tried uninstalling both SP1 and your videocard drivers then reinstalling them?

I mean, if Boni thinks your best solution is to reformat you might as well experiment around a bit first, eh?
Make sure that you create some back-ups.

AIBaon · « **Reply #45 on:** December 22, 2008, 10:30:36 AM »

Quote from: Raptor on December 22, 2008, 03:22:38 AM

Didn't the guy claim he installed a very outdated version?

Yes, but then I reinstalled the latest version of Quicktime after I no longer needed the old version.

Quote

Have you got Vista SP1 yet?
Have you tried uninstalling both SP1 and your videocard drivers then reinstalling them?

I mean, if Boni thinks your best solution is to reformat you might as well experiment around a bit first, eh?
Make sure that you create some back-ups.

I have SP1, and I've tried updating my video card. Nice Vista it says it's working perfectly though. How do I uninstall SP1?
I've already made a system restore point.

Raptor · « **Reply #46 on:** December 22, 2008, 11:19:56 AM »

Do you also have a system restore point of from before everything went haywire? And if so, have you used it yet?

Go here for SP1 removal advise.

I trust you made those backups?

AIBaon · « **Reply #47 on:** December 22, 2008, 03:56:11 PM »

Quote from: Raptor on December 22, 2008, 11:19:56 AM

Do you also have a system restore point of from before everything went haywire? And if so, have you used it yet?

I hadn't unfortunately.

Quote from: Raptor on December 22, 2008, 11:19:56 AM

I trust you made those backups?

Which backups? Backups of what? for what?

Raptor · « **Reply #48 on:** December 22, 2008, 04:00:07 PM »

Quote

Which backups? Backups of what? for what?

Yeah, who needs backups?

Well, I guess you can around to uninstalling SP1 and your videocard drivers. I'd run Ccleaner afterwards.

Test Aero after installing the latest videocard drivers.

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Author Topic: Vista Aero Failed. (Read 14964 times)

AIBaon

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

fgdn17

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

patio

Broni

AIBaon

patio

Broni

AIBaon

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

patio

AIBaon

Broni

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Broni

Raptor

AIBaon

Broni

AIBaon

Raptor

Raptor

AIBaon

Raptor

AIBaon

Raptor