Lesson 2: Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows Aero

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Checking Whether Aero Is Running

After you have determined that the graphics adapter meets the necessary specifications to run

Aero and you have installed Windows Vista, you will need to actually check that Aero is run-

ning. At a superficial level, Windows looks the same when it is using either Aero or the Vista

Basic theme. When you are more familiar with Aero, you will more easily notice what separates

Aero from other options. The easiest way to determine whether Aero is working on a computer

is to use the Flip 3D function. Flip 3D, shown in Figure 3-20, is a feature that allows a user to

switch between applications. Each application is cascaded in three dimensions and keeps run-

ning even when displayed in this three-dimensional cascade.

Figure 3-20

Browsing open windows three-dimensionally in Flip 3D

To use Flip 3D, hold down the Windows key, and then press the tab key. If Windows Aero is

working, you will see the 3D window cascade. If Aero is not working, nothing will happen.

Another quick way to tell if Aero is running is to look at the title bar. An Aero title bar is usually

transparent, but when the Vista Basic theme is running, the title bar is opaque. Title bar trans-

parency is not always an accurate method of determining whether Aero is running because it

is possible to disable transparency and still run Aero.