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Thread: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

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    Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Tried to google this but it's pretty hard to explain via google.

    I recently changed motherboards and my copy of Windows 7 was deactivated. I'm also using the motherboard's onboard graphics card (Intel HD 3000). I can't seem to get Aero or even Windows 7 Basic to work. No matter which theme I choose in personalize, it just looks like Windows Classic (windows 95 style). Could this be because my copy of Windows was deactivated? Or perhaps something to do with me using onboard graphics? I've tried reinstalling graphics drivers.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Was it an OEM version of Windows? If so, you will probably ned to call Microsoft and explain why you had to change the motherboard. If it was a full retail, you should be able to re-activate it normally. Deactivation is the most likely cause of the problems, Windows 7 should play quite nicely with the onboard graphics. Have you installed any board specific drivers?
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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Hi again peter

    I actually just activated it through the automated phone system. 13 minute phone call because the damn computer lady wouldn't recognise the numbers I was putting into my phone. >.>

    So yeah it's activated and I still can't enable Aero so something else is wrong. I have a feeling it's the drivers. I've installed the motherboard's chipset drivers from the Gigabyte website (it's a Z68AP-D3) and the latest Intel HD 3000 drivers from Intel's website. Still no Aero though.

    I got this copy of Windows through MSDNAA at Uni.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Is it at SP1? If not, you may need to install it. Certainly looking more like a driver snag. Can you change display resolution etc?

    Oh yes, this might be helpful
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...troubleshooter
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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Yes it's SP1 and yes I can change resolution and such. The Intel HD Graphics panel/settings thing seem to work just fine.

    I ran the troubleshooter and got this: http://i.imgur.com/s036Uha.png

    The theme does support Aero for sure, I'm just using the Windows 7 one. Desktop Window Manager, don't know what that is. I checked Services and Desktop Window Manager Session Manager seems to be enabled and working.

    I think it's time for a format honestly.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    So it wasn't a fresh install? The cause is almost certainly a driver conflict. You might want to remove any instances of previous graphics cards and the drivers using system manager (even though the card may not be physically present, it may have a registry entry)
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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    No, it wasn't a fresh install. I've already tried removing everything to do with my 6870 and I'm pretty sure everything is gone. I think I'll just format. Thanks for the help peterb.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    What do you get in the windows performance index?
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    5.9 is the lowest, for both hdd and RAM. GPU is 6.2 for both and CPU 7.5.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Yes, might be best - its a question of pride in fixing it set against the saving in time with a fresh install (and finding all the install media ) Soetimes you can get away with changing the mono, particularly if the chipset is the same, but if the OS detected the difference (as it was deactivated) it might have just been that bit too different.
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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Yep, on a fresh install right now.

    Thanks again for the help

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Should have used something like driver fusion to remove all existing components of display drivers to see if that worked.
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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Quote Originally Posted by MrRockliffe View Post
    Should have used something like driver fusion to remove all existing components of display drivers to see if that worked.
    I did that, but honestly I hadn't formatted in over 6 months so it was a good time to.

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    Re: Does having a deactivated copy of Windows disable Aero?

    Oh okay
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