HELP! Vista themes not working SP1

[MrGonzo]

Hi

I have Vista ultimate SP1. I recently did some windows updates from microsoft, and once I restarted my system after the update, my windows themes/color and appearenxce settings were set on "windows standard". I want to use the "Aero theme".

I have all the right windows services running. Does anyone know whats going on?

Here's some pics of my desktop so you can see exactly what I'm talking about:
[img=http://img42.imagevenue.com/loc888/th_09333_dkt-1_122_888lo.jpg] (http://img42.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=09333_dkt-1_122_888lo.jpg)

[img=http://img257.imagevenue.com/loc512/th_09339_dkt-2_122_512lo.jpg] (http://img257.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=09339_dkt-2_122_512lo.jpg)

Please give links for hitfix or step but step info.

HELP!

[thelastfreeman]

What happens when you change it to Aero? Does it only last until the next reset?

[MrGonzo]

I get an error message "The visual styles could not be applied"

[thelastfreeman]

Did it work with objectdock before

[MrGonzo]

Did it work with objectdock before

"Objectdock" what is that?

[thelastfreeman]

Isn't that what you're using to get the maclike toolbar

[MrGonzo]

I'm not using a mac I'm using a PC laptop with vista ultimate SP1

[MrGonzo]

...And not that is my vista start bar using "windows standard" theme. It wouldn't let me switch to Aero

[thelastfreeman]

I'm talking about the toolbar at the bottom of the screen

[MrGonzo]

that is something else all together it has nothing to do with this problem

[thelastfreeman]

What was the update? SP1?

[mountain_rage]

Here is what you have to do. Its important you carefully follows the instructions, otherwise it might not work.



Open your disk drive and place your Vista installation disc in it
Simultaneous depress the ctrl - alt - del keys.
Select to reboot the system.
During the initial boot sequence hit del
Enter your advance options and change the initial boot option from IDE0 to your optical drive containing the vista disc
Save the changes and exit your Bios, often the F10 Key
If requested hit any key (meaning a key of your choice) to boot from disk.
Follow the onscreen instructions specifying the preferred options.
Accept any option to override current installations.
Congratulations, Aero should once again be functional.

This is a full proof solution, I'm not responsible for any loss of data caused by following the procedure. If you are unhappy with the solution you can call 1-800-279-2229 thats 1-800-CRY-BABY.

Its not my fault, I was given this role by the majority.

All seriousness aside. I'm assuming that you have a legitimate copy of Vista, if not I can't guarantee that these changes won't lock you out. Go to control panel - services - check to see that themes is currently running, and set to run on start up. Also in the services menu, check to make sure Desktop Window Manager Session Manager is also running and set to automatic.

[w31n3r]

hehe, the funny thing is, both solutions are absolutely spot on.

[wapazoid]

Did it work with objectdock before

Was thinking the same thing. There could be a possible conflict. I wouldn't immediately dismiss that as a separate issue.

[thelastfreeman]

That was what I initially thought since it does mess with the theme but he never answered about SP1. A friend of mine was locked out immediately after updating to SP1 on a bootleg vista ultimate.

[wapazoid]

I must have lucked out. I've been using a well known pirated copy of Ultimate x86 on one of my systems. No problems after SP1.

[thelastfreeman]

It's been a while. Methinks he screwed up his comp and locked himself out.

[wapazoid]

lol

I've seen some weird shit myself.

[mountain_rage]

After years of using pirated copies of Windows, I finally caved in and bought a copy. Not because of being locked out if I updated, but because asshats kept making stupid changes to the installation files. It caused so many incompatibility issues when people removed what they considered non essentials.

[thelastfreeman]

Most of it is, like extra themes and drivers. I'm amazed at how small they've gotten the xp install to be. Currently the performance edition sits at 99mb.

[w31n3r]

same here. i cursed when i had to buy XP for my office, but i guess if there's one windows version you should pay for, it's XP. i have a legit copy of vista home only because it came with a laptop for the office.

[wapazoid]

What amazes me is how expensive XP still is.

[MrGonzo]

that bar has never been a problem. its a stand alone program

[MrGonzo]

my copy is not a hacked copy is bought

[MrGonzo]

thanks for your help guys ive done everthing i can and still no joy. Fick I hate Vista sometimes!
Hope tjey fix this theme issue in SP2

[Allansia]

Yeah, I have pirated XP and Vista.
I downloaded a copy of Vista Ultimate and, well, I met a problem where my graphics card wouldn't install properly.
I had to spend 30 minutes looking up on the internet for a fix.
Then my screensaver was screwed up, it went into the screen saver, but moving the mouse or tapping keys didn't work, and I had to reboot.
So yeah, in my opinion, stick with XP, but you can make your XP look like Vista using stuff like Vista Inspirat, and yeah, it looks really good.

[wapazoid]

that bar has never been a problem. its a stand alone program

It's a stand alone program that alters the operating system's gui. Try uninstalling it to see if you can use aero again.