Update on the 915 Graphics WDDM Vista Driver Issue

By Josh Bancroft (Intel) (57 posts) on May 7, 2007 at 11:26 am

Wow, you guys are really persistent.

Since I posted a comment in one of the previous discussions about the 915 Graphics Vista driver issue, that I was going to talk to the graphics group about the possibility of releasing an open source and/or "beta" unofficial WDDM driver, to let you at least try to get Aero Glass, Movie Maker, and DVD Maker working in Windows Vista, you've been coming here every day to see/ask if there's been any progress. So here's an update:

I haven't talked to the graphics group yet, because I'm trying to identify the right people to talk to. That's hard in such a big company (Intel has almost 100,000 employees, and I don't work directly with anyone in the Graphics group). But I'm going to find someone, eventually.

Why haven't I posted something sooner? Well, besides the fact that there wasn't any news, I was out of town last week for the MIX07 conference, and there's that whole matter of my job and having actual work to do. So I'm asking for a little patience on your part.

Also, remember that WINDOWS VISTA WORKS PERFECTLY FINE ON INTEL 915 GRAPHICS. It's just some of the advanced "eye candy" features, like Aero Glass, that don't work without a WDDM driver. To my knowledge, such a driver never existed. The fact that "it worked during the beta!" was due to the fact that Microsoft was allowing XPDM drivers to run the fancy stuff - the hard requirement for a WDDM driver wasn't put in place until later builds of Vista. There is no magical WDDM driver that Intel released during the beta, and subsequently pulled out of existence (someone would have found and hacked a version of that by now if that were the case). There is and only ever was the XPDM driver that exists today.

This isn't a ploy to make you all think that Intel "really cares" (sorry, conspiracy theorists!). I stepped in front of this bus on my own, and I intend to see it through to the end. I'm committed to maintaining transparency throughout the whole thing, too, so as soon as I know the outcome (good or bad), you will too. Stay tuned, and remember, there's NO guarantee or promise that anything will come of this! If the graphics group comes back and says they won't or can't release a WDDM driver for 915, then there's really nothing more we can do. At least we will have tried.

Categories: Intel® Software Network 2.0, Mobility

Comments (562)

By James on May 7th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
The interesting thing is that Via and S3 have integrated chipsets with WDDM drivers that don't support Aero - they're only certified for Vista Basic (but I believe this allows some graphics acceleration and a 'Windows Standard' UI rather than 'Windows Basic' - see wikipedia). So it's not true that WDDM => Aero.

I've looked (briefly) at the Microsoft cert documents and I think you need a certain stability/speed to get Premium certification. So perhaps Intel could develop/release non-Aero WDDM drivers for the GMA 900?

By ISN Mobility Feed on May 7th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
one of the previous discussions about the 915 Graphics Vista driver issue, that I was going to talk to the graphics group about the possibility of releasing an open source and/or “beta” unofficial WDDM driver, to let you at least try to [...] (viaISN - Posts in the Mobility Category

By Josh Bancroft’s TinyScreenfuls.com on May 7th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Go readthis post on the Intel Software Network blogfor an update on the quest for an unofficial/beta/open source WDDM driver for Intel 915 graphics that the community has been calling for, that I, your unlikely hero, have taken upon myself. Short answer: be patient, I

By Slask on May 8th, 2007 at 8:15 am
Hey Josh, all we want is Aero Glass effect. We don't want all the fancy stuff like Flip 3D, Thumbnail preview, Alt-Tab Switching etc. Just Areo Glass. Thanks in advance.

By Ricardo Ramirez on May 8th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Hey Josh
How can we as the force we all together are, help you to convince the people who's calling the shots on this matter. Intel or Microsoft that releasing a driver or relaxing the Vista requirements in this case would be the smartest thing to do for their interests?

By Josh Bancroft on May 8th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Ricardo, you're doing exactly that. Leave your comments on the blog or in the forum, so I can point people to the direct requests that we're getting on this topic.

Or maybe "outcry" is a better way to describe it.

By Taylor on May 8th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Thanks for trying Josh, This laptop is 1.5 years old and can't run aero because of the 915 chipset. I don't know about you guys but I don't upgrade computers once a year...

By SESSE on May 9th, 2007 at 10:45 am
$$$$ - JOSH - $$$, we all are counting in on you. You are our last
and only hope.

By The Blade by Ron Schenone, MVP on May 9th, 2007 at 10:59 am
this is still up in the air. So if the Intel 915 gets the correct drivers to operate Vista using Aero is still unknown. I would suggest that those who are interested keep an eye on his future posts. I hope this helps. Comments welcome. Intel bloghere. Tags: intel, graphics, 915, vista, driver Related Articles:

By Slask on May 9th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Its really sad to know that Intel is treating us in such a way. It is we the customers who made Intel the number one brand and now Intel is refusing to help us? All we ask is Aero glass and vista aaps to run properly, thats all. We are not asking them to bring the moon.

By Pepor on May 10th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Slask, James: Did it ever occur to any of you that there might be a real, technical reason for the absence of an i915 WDDM driver? Just because it worked on a far-from-finished beta version of Windows Vista doesn't mean that it works on the RTM version. The technology behind all that is very complex and there's probably no way that a correct WDDM will ever be written for the GMA900.

It might be possible to code a hack to get Aero (or more specifically the DWM) to work, but it would affect system performance, stability and - above all - would probably keep any other application (like games or even Windows Movie Maker) from using the GPU at all. The important thing that's missing from the GMA900 (as far as I know) is a hardware scheduler that would effectively enable the GPU to switch its workload - much like the CPU switches from process to process. Implementing a proper WDDM driver without such a scheduler would mean an enormous amount of work - if it's possible at all.

Also, the glass effect is extremely expensive from the GPU's point of view (see Greg Schechter's blog - especially http://blogs.msdn.com/greg_schechter/archive/2006/03/25/561167.aspx - for interesting information about that).

If you'd like translucent window borders, you could try Stardock's WindowBlinds, which provides such effects for Windows XP and Vista (with or without Aero). Contrary to popular belief WindowBlinds does not neccessarily slow down the system or hog lots of resources, so that might be a viable alternative for you. You can download a free demo version at http://www.windowblinds.net.

By majortom1981 on May 10th, 2007 at 6:15 am
All I want is for dvd maker and movie maker to work on my laptop. Even if it is slow.

ITs funny how I can run Roller COaster Tycoon 3 at a good speed on my laptop but cant run vista aero.

By Dave Hunter on May 10th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Josh, thanks for looking into this! I'd love to be able to run aero, even if it's slow. It seems a shame to force people to not be able to use something, rather than let them find out for themselves that it's just too slow. I'm sure that by releasing a driver you'd up the view of intel with people, even if it wasn't supported and was slow for some things. I hope you succeed!

By IBB on May 10th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
your idea is not so bad Pepor...but neither with Stardock's WindowBlinds glass not work if you card is 'no aero support'!

By Pepor on May 11th, 2007 at 12:16 am
majortom1981, there is an updated version of Windows Movie Maker (2.6) that should work on PCs that are incapable of running Aero. You can download it at

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d6b.....=en&tm

By Pierre on May 11th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Salut Josh,

Je participe à ce blog pour manifester ma déception à l'égard d'Intel. TOUS LES UTILISATEURS VEULENT POUVOIR UTILISER L'EFFET AERO, glass, 3d flip etc...

Merci de faire le nécessaire, ce sera payant sur la fildélité des clients.

Pierre

By Anthony on May 11th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Curious if anyone has tried using a data projector on a laptop running Vista with these chipsets. It hasn't worked for me. Could care less about Aero, MS recognized the issue with MM and released a workaround (2.6 - thanks) but not much found on the forums about projectors/drivers and Vista.

Is it me?

By Anthony on May 11th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
So I installed Vista Enterprise (Corporate Vista) on a Lenovo T43 and I find myself with the same issues. So as much as I'd like to send my road warriors down that road, incorporating new security features such as Bit Locker and other helpful "corporate" related things, the fact that they can't run a simple PowerPoint through a connected Data Projector ("Your display setup is not supported") prevents me from doing so. And hey Mr. CFO, all that money we spent on MS "Software Assurance", ensuring the latest and greatest from MS to secure and run on our recently purchased thousand plus corporate laptops running Intel 915 Graphic Chipsets....ummm...better just write that off.

You guys (MS/Intel) need to fix this problem. It's not just the "eye candy".

By jkk on May 12th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
We can't even change window colors without aero !!

http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2007/05/reason-no-1008-why-we-want-aero-with.html

By ketchrock on May 13th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Well, this guy has figured it out....Ruanlu.Thank you Sir. This in fact proves that Intel has held out on the world. I have pasted his findings below:

"I've found a way to enable Aero Glass on my GMA900 Notebook.
The idea is to modify GMA950's driver and install in my GMA900 Notebook. By this way, you can cheat in Vista, and enable Aero Glass. But something I must to say is that I can't guarantee on the stability.

1. find out the hardware ID of your GMA900 in WINXP. (you can view this information in dxdiag)
2. download a latest Vista driver for GMA950 (i945GM chipset) from anywhere you want. (it's a good choice to download form intel's website. down the .zip one, not the .exe)
3. uncompress the driver.
4. edit a file \Graphics\igdlh.inf, find out the section [Intel.Mfg], and find the hardware ID of 945GM, replace the ID to your GMA900's.
find this one:
%iCLGD0% = i945GM0, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27A2
change to
%iCLGD0% = i945GM0, PCI\YOUR_GMA900_HARDWRAE_ID
5. save this file, and install this modified driver, reboot your system.
6. and then...enjoy the Aero Glass... Y^_^Y."

Ruanlu - May 10th, 2007 at 9:00 pm

By Vin on May 14th, 2007 at 6:33 am
@ Josh - I for one can appreciate the challenges you face in addressing this issue with the developers and the powers that be, and for that, thank you.

@ Anthony - I too have found the inability to easily switch to projector mode annoying, but somewhat embarrassing. I often have to give presentations to clients, and to do so, I need to setup a secondary monitor in the display driver, activate it, and tell PowerPoint to display the slideshow on the secondary monitor. This does not exactly wow clients as to Intel's and Microsoft's capabilities. It works, but not like it should. It is another example of actually losing functionality by upgrading to Vista. To be fair, it might not be an Intel issue; rather, it may be a Lenovo or HP (in my case) issue.

@ Intel - Understanding that there are some hardware limitations on the 915 Graphics Chipset that ultimately "fail" WDDM compliance, why is the Graphics Chipset considered to be DirectX 9.0 compliant? From what I can tell, that is the minimum level of compliance required for WDDM. That being said, is the Graphics Chipset compliant or not? If it is compliant, is it only because some of DirectX 9.0's requirements are met via software, and not hardware? If that is true, then the Graphics Chipset is not truly DirectX 9.0 compliant, using the logic being applied to the WDDM scenario (e.g. it must be hardware compliant to meet WDDM requirements.) One could make the argument that the graphics chipset was never truly DirectX 9.0 compliant, and should not have been labeled as such given the reduction in functionality that seemingly should be available to DirectX 9.0 compliant graphics chipsets.

In the end - who is right?
- Microsoft in stating that WDDM has minimum hardware requirements, all found in the DirectX 9.0 specification?
- Intel, in stating that the 915 graphics chipset is DirectX 9.0 compliant?
- Microsoft's DirectX standards, allowing non-hardware compliant graphics chipsets/cards to get the DirectX 9.0 stamp of approval?

I am not trying to be argumentative; rather, I am attempting to convey, logically and professionally, the general frustration in the situation that many of the posters here and throughout the Internet have conveyed.

Again, Josh, you are going above and beyond to even attempt to address this situation, and I wish you the best.

By IBB on May 14th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
ketchrock...its not so simple,not work this solution for me...

By IBB on May 14th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

By Rawr on May 14th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Ketchrock...I can't find my HW ID anywhere in dxdiag. Know specifically where to look?

By Gabe on May 14th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
@ketchrock: hehehe althought it is a nifty trick, it does not exactly work. Upon boot Vista did not detect my resolution, I had to set it manually and that was fine. So positive signs. But checking the device manager showed me the same error as IBB. And then running the system rating again did not change the score and Aero could not be enabled.

But I am interested in knowing if it actually truly worked with some people out there. By the way, my card is the i915 and not the gma900.

By Rawr on May 14th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Nevermind. I found the HW ID in Device Manager. I'll update on whether this works for me.

By Rawr on May 14th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Not getting any errors, but Aero is not available after modding and installing the GMA 950 driver. This is on an Acer Aspire 3620.

By Rawr on May 14th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Installing the 945GM driver stopped my 915 from being recognized as a D3D device. Therefore no aero. =(

By DocArt on May 15th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Hi,
Same here with the mod driver ... (Intel 915GM HP NC6120)
Error 43 with no D3D Support ... trying with an other version of I945GM driver, say no error but non aero.
Any idea Ketchrock ?

By Allison on May 15th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Intel Sucks. My brand new Sony Vaio laptop is less than 5 months old and i just spent $300 buying into the whole Vista Experience hype. But now i can't get the Aero Function?? Intel is a greedy company and I will never buy intel products again. My next pc/ notebook will have amd in it, not Intel!!!

By Allison on May 15th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
bolted975 said (in the intel foum):

Totally agree, we were sold a card which was said to support DX9 however it doesn't do this fully. According to the upgrade advisor this card meets all requirements except for a having a WDDM driver. If this is true why don't we have a driver? and if a driver can't be made due to it not supporting DX 9 properly why was it sold as being able to??

My sentiments exactly!! >_

By Alex on May 16th, 2007 at 4:01 am
Yo Josh,nice job mate,hope u can make it mate,goodluck.Counting on you.

By Alex on May 16th, 2007 at 4:09 am
abd ketchrock,u might be right about 900GMA ,but like 80% of the ppl here got the 915GM/GMS 910 GML Express Chipset(like me).So...might not be so easy..

By Alex on May 16th, 2007 at 4:12 am
the best solution would be a specific wddm driver for 915 gm/gms 910 Express Chipset . And not the modify of other chipset driver as the 915 and 945 got "few" diferent things (as far as i know).Just patience and lets hope Josh makes it with the wddm driver.

By Slask on May 16th, 2007 at 7:37 am
I m in the same boat. I also tried it and got the same error.

By Enrique Leon on May 16th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I just came aboard the Vista bandwagon and having the same problem all of you are facing... it simply amazes me no one has found a hack to force aero yet. Where's Kevin when we need him?

I'm sure other people w/ different yet capable video cards are having the same problem. We should take the fight on with Microsoft to remove this "feature".

By Ray on May 16th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I've tried 1001 ways to make 915 display Aero in Vista RTM on my NEC Versa E3100 and I'm sorry I don't think it's possible.

I've modded drivers, registry hacks and all that, and to no avail. I think there will be no solution unless Microsoft lift some of the specs that are binding the 915 to no-aero.

I've read in places you need 1gb of ram atleast for it to work, and various other ploys. I'm just not sure.

By Luis Slaova on May 17th, 2007 at 5:21 am
Ketchrock, what version of the driver are you using? Because I have the same error 43. Thanks

By Alex on May 18th, 2007 at 9:01 am
hmm u might like the looks of this http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q292/XtrmShadow/Untitled.jpg

By Alex on May 18th, 2007 at 9:05 am
look at the diference between the normal window and the WMP gadget,its similar to vista aero right?so it must be using same effect but doesnt need wddm drivers...so bleh...915GM can run aero well if my logic works right,

By Alex on May 18th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I dont want to be persistent Josh ,but just trying to demostrate (as far as i can)that the 915GM is capable of runing vista aero ,well at least theme,not sure the 3d flip .
Regards

By IBB on May 18th, 2007 at 9:54 am
I think........!
Intel is the great power with thousands above usual intelligent men which have not heard for the problem. For the interest of the small and large buyers and usesr.Want aero...no problem gets these him...Intel will turn the whole world and Microsoft if is this necessary....dont have worried about they,Intel is here for us! Intel forever! Aero comming soon!

By Alex on May 18th, 2007 at 9:54 am
hmm..another lil proof http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q292/XtrmShadow/Untitled2.jpg
and josh,correct me if im wrong about this.
Thanks

By Alex on May 18th, 2007 at 10:00 am
@IBB yea they can solve it,and my guess is that they will as they are a huge enterprize in the computer world(even the biggest).Im just showing some proof to ppl that might 915GM isnt capable of runing vista as alot of ppl say it doesnt,also showing josh the same.

By Slask on May 18th, 2007 at 10:48 am
@Alex, v all know that i915 is perfectly capable of running Aero and your screenshots have proved it yet again. But the problem is, Intel dosen't want to agree with that. I just hope that someone finds a way through to enable Aero because I dont think there is much point counting on Intel.

By Psycho46 on May 18th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I'm getting sick with all this driver talk...Damn!!! Are we going to get it on SP1?

By Camilo Soler on May 19th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Hey Josh very thanks for this post is a hope for see my windows vista run aero. I don't understand, why vista need this recurs, if operative system like unbuntu run xgl beryl and compiz without problems, and more they have much effects that flip 3d and aero glass. I have ubuntu and run perfect, but importunely i need windows because work with much utilities for windows and pay much money for this shit, is so frustrate have vista without effect graphics, sure this is yhe unique change of vista to xp.

By funny on May 20th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Hi Josh! Is there any news? I am always looking forward to this. Thanks again for you!

By Antz on May 20th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
@Alex

I've noticed that too! I was wondering why there was the glass effect. I figured some intel or MS person would simply throw it out the window by saying that was some software rendered bla bla bla...

By http://www.vidblogcast.com on May 21st, 2007 at 8:16 am
Go readthis post on the Intel Software Network blogfor an update on the quest for an unofficial/beta/open source WDDM driver for Intel 915 graphics that the community has been calling for, that I, your unlikely hero, have taken upon myself. Short answer: be patient, I

By Wolfeyes on May 22nd, 2007 at 11:31 am
We are all counting on You Josh

By Killer Vamp 09 on May 22nd, 2007 at 4:36 pm
ok josh if it isn't possible to run aero then fine... just release a WDDM driver for the intel 915 chipsets so we can play HALO 2 VISTA dang it

By Ultima on May 22nd, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Where do you find the HW ID?

By Yoshi on May 23rd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
@Alex - That is not Aero that you are seeing in the gadgets, thats just transparent PNG's. If it were really Aero, then it would have the Aero effect/blur.

By Andy R on May 24th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I really hope Intel does make a WDDM driver for the GMA900. Even if it's just a Vista Standard scheme supporting only version, that doesn't support Aero. It's just that some games will start to need WDDM drivers to even run now, like Halo 2 Vista. Now, that game isn't that demanding and my other Laptop specs far exceed it. Here's to hoping this comes through, at least SOME time. It would be much more convenient and would make Vista look so much better, for us GMA900 users.

By Killer Vamp 09 on May 24th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I know i have just bought halo 2 vista, but to my surprise... it requires WDDM drivers. Which really sucks because my desktop passes the recommended requirements all the way at high settings... i just need a WDDM driver to play it. So PLEASE Itel driver devs PLEASE make a WDDM driver for the intel 915 integrated graphics chip. It would be greatly appreciated not only by me, but by everyone else who wants to play the games that now require WDDM drivers. I do not even care if i have Aero or NOT.

P.S.-It can even be an unofficial beta release... but please make one.

By IBB on May 25th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Why so boring with this aero,Intel have had the more important work....
''Intel has just created a laptop that's as pretty as a supermodel, and thinner, too. Codenamed the Intel Mobile Metro Notebook, this prototype was designed by Intel along with Ziba Design, and it's a mere .7 inches thick and weighs just 2.25 pounds. It's no dumb blonde, either, packed with Intel's speediest and most efficient components, which will probably be plenty fast by the time this machine is manufactured, maybe even as soon as the end of this year''.

P.S. Maybe this laptop computer will support aero!!!

By mengqinglu on May 25th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Just to inform everyone that, WINDOWS BLIND 6 will support the glass/blur effect aka AERO

stuff MICROSOFT, if only I am experienced enough to use Linux, I would never ever touch Windows again

and same goes to INTEL, NOT GOING TO BUY ANOTHER INTEL PRODUCT AGAIN, ever.

By dufang on May 25th, 2007 at 6:20 am
If Intel won't make one, please someone could come out with a way that can remove the limitation for wddm driver on vista, because there was no limitation on the vista beta version, this might not be too difficult.
Or a modified wddm driver from the original xpdm driver. please! we really need it!!

By Mathias on May 26th, 2007 at 1:44 am
please make that driver,
Is that so much work to make that driver?

And Josh, Are we going to get it on SP1?

(translation of a dutch sense)

By jon on May 26th, 2007 at 6:46 am
I think everyone of us have been a victim of this new market strategy by either Intel or Microsoft by not releasing a driver support for vista. We are not even asking much from Intel, we just new Intel to release a WDDM driver for 915 chipset as they all knew that it is a popular chipset especially on laptops, it's just showing that Intel doesn't really mind extending their customer service support for those who bought their products.
I bought a laptop 6months ago and hoping that when windows vista comes out into the market I could use it's fully functional capabilities. But what happen? No support from Intel. No support from Microsoft.
As we all knew this is a highly monopolised market and we as a small consumers can't bring this powerful company down. But I hope this will serve as a lesson for buying future products (especially from Intel) in which this company doesn't have any customer service at all. The only way the consuming public to take down this powerful companies is to discontinued support for their products in the future, which means to say that they will experience a huge drop of sales in the market.
INTEL PRODUCTS SUCKS AND HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WILL GET THE IDEA AND NOT TO BUY INTEL PRODUCTS ANYMORE IN THE FUTURE!!!

By Slask on May 26th, 2007 at 10:50 am
http://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/odnt2008/odnt2008.asp

Comon man, when they can do it, y not u????

By BoySoft on May 27th, 2007 at 5:22 am
please make that WDDM drivers

That areo is not SO importand, but we can't also us the movie maker and the dvd maker.

By Alain Coballes on May 27th, 2007 at 9:55 am
The easiest way to achieve at least the Aero Glass effect is to use Ashampoo 4. All the visual controls are so easy to use even a toddler can tinker on it, unlike all the fuss you can have from installing the popular but messy Windows Blinds.

By chris on May 27th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
hey josh, i just stubled apon your blog. i think your doing a great job by the way. i have a gateway MX3228 laptop. i bought it about 4 months before the release of Vista (i know i'm an idiot). i went ahead and bought it at Best Buy because the Geek Squad guy there told me that Vista compatible ment "really good computer." i thought that vista compatible meant that it would do ALL of the stuff vista can do. the laptop came with a Via/S3 uniChrome Pro IGP Graphics Card. it can play Hi-Def video and play high graphics games, but no Aero. i have all of the other requirements for aero (1.5 GHz processor, 1GB Ram, and 60 GB harddrive) Question: i heard about Vista Aero Standard (not Windows Basic or Vista Basic, but Aero standard) it had not transparency or 3D flip. i just want the window borders. is it possible to get the Aero Standard theme on this notebook? please help...bug the mess out of MS and Intel please!!!! lol

By IBB on May 28th, 2007 at 6:47 am
yes......but you dont have WDDM Driver Dude!

By Andy R on May 28th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Uhh, Chris? That's a VIA chipset, not intel. Intel will not help you with another company's product. Also, i very much doubt you are playing games with decent graphics. Most new games need at least three times the power than VIA graphics give you. At least you can play SOME DECENT GAMES with Intel graphics and the chips are pretty much free with the motherboard.

To all of you laying into Intel, give them a break! They have the best CPU's on the market and they have some of the best integrated graphics cards out there as well. I find their customer support to be very good on the whole. This is just one grey area. At least Josh from Intel is trying to get something sorted. The trouble is, with older products, it's hard to make drivers for them if they just don't perform well enough! There is a page on the GMA900 section of Intel's website, which does explain some of the reasons they initially did not make a WDDM driver. However, if they reconsider and try and make one even if it doesn't support full Aero Glass, i'll be very pleased with Intel

Hope you pull through on this one Josh!

By Ricardo on May 29th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Sorry guys but i give up
My Vista crashed and I went back to XP
And let me tell you "I liked it"
My machine behaves way faster and smoother by far.
So "Hasta la Vista Josh..."

By Chris on May 29th, 2007 at 8:46 am
When you bought your 915 chipset machines, you bought them designed to run the then-current software it was bundled with- Windows XP. They have a solid but not super-speedy low-cost graphics chip.

If you then choose to install a generation of software four-five years newer (2006 vintage, not 2001) than the XP your machines were designed to run, you can't expect them to perform to meet 100% of that software's demands.

The disabling of Aero features is the work of Microsoft, not Intel, so quit blaming the hardware maker- flame Microsoft instead for shipping bloat-ridden Vista that requires the latest greatest hardware to run.

If you want freedom to have eyecandy 3D desktops that you can enable or disable under YOUR control, depending you your assessment of the performance on your hardware, may I suggest you try one of the Linux distributions that bundle such 3D desktops- Compiz, Beryl and so on.

Compiz is a project run by Novell, I believe. They have a very capable Linux distribution, SUSE, you could try. Other like Mandriva, Ubuntu and so on come with the Compiz desktop.
WINDOWS VISTA AERO VS LINUX UBUNTU BERYL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5uEe5OzNQ&mode=related&search=
gives an idea.

Nevertheless, reality dictates that such fancy desktops are going to perform quite slowly on modest low-power-consumption hardware like the 915- which was designed way before such software became available. I mention the low power because that's one of the things that was done to give more battery life on laptops.

Chris

By Slask on May 29th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Chris, the thing is, i915 chipset is perfectlly capable of running Aero glass and the beta versions of Vista have proved this. We are asking Intel only to give us a beta driver that can just enable Aero glass. Thats all. Is that too much to ask for?

By DjKoRn on May 29th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
you know what? Vista Sucks Intel Sucks! Install OSX86 on your laptop!!!! GMA915 run smooth on MAC'S why Vista? Install XP+OSX86+Linux Beryl then your good to go! dont waste your time with VISTA sh!t id rather use Linux Beryl for the eye candy, and XP for my Windoze Applications, Then OSX86 for SUPER COOLER Applications...

Summary
Vista = eats huge Memory/Hard disk space
Linux = Minimal Install + Beryl ROCKS!
OSX86 = got nothing to say!! AWESOME OS!!!!! Keynote, iphoto,itunes,imovie... etc.........

just a cent...

(peace!)

http://djkorn.mine.nu
http://youtube.com/djkorn

By Alex on May 30th, 2007 at 12:43 am
@Slask meh,we should hope but the thing is...intel might get out the driver for the I915 GM but that can take a week or probably a year,so yeah we should hope,but concentrate on your patience,we gonna need it :p and btw,stardock stuff arent very good ,yeah its just like 12mb of ram and 1-10% of cpu usage (depending on your CPU type) but still,dont you prefer haveing that small %tage of the ram and cpu for other stuff?
@Yoshi Hm mate,they might be PNG's that might be true but...even so,(as far as i know)the diference between one and another cant be THAT big..Correct me if im wrong.

By jim st james on May 30th, 2007 at 2:39 am
what a joke,the good ol bx chipset does everything a 915chipset can do or nothing the 915 chipset can do that he bx can't do from what i ever ask of it(strictly buisness + all multimedia tasks, pity the suckers(speak of myself too that nearly or got lured into this not so old chipset 915 spec notebooks).
the p111 bx chipset platform runs rings around them,(fully loads vista ultimate +activated on the net too in abit over half an hour on only 320mb ram!(with the killed vista rort ram issue cd rom version of ultimate!)add to the equation come reload every single certified driver loads in 2k,me,xp,2k3+vista,by the time the bx is up and running on the net you are still manually loading drivers with themsome newer chipsets worrying if 1 gb is enough to substantiate no glass effects. now tell me which is the more intelligent pc!
really now.
save the planet recycle the trusty ol pc ,you will be immenselly rewarded by no brainer seamless operation
without the lies and dissapointments.
so much for my personal ambitions.

By Chris on May 30th, 2007 at 2:59 am
It seems that it is Microsoft who are stopping the installation of the Aero features when the i915 chipset is detected, so even if you had the driver you would not get the features you are seeking.
The hack above changing hardware ID's is one attempt to get around this.
Have you tried asking Microsoft if there is a way to disable their blocking feature? Good luck with that....
Of course many of us are locked in to Windows, via our employers, but if you are not, then an alternative OS you can configure to your needs rather than the needs of the maker's marketing department might be a possible route.
It's the software vendors who drive the upgrade treadmill, by loading their products with new features.

Interestingly, just before Vista launched I received a mail from AMD, a RAM maker and Microsoft (sent by Microsoft) trumpeting the sales opportunity for RAM and motherboards that the new OS represented for PC dealers.
Maybe this marketing tieup is a clue why MS is limiting the features of Intel's mainstream product?

By Andy R on May 30th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Chris, the trouble with Linux distributions is that, while the new ones look nice, they are still utterly USELESS in comparison to Windows. I have Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn with Desktop Effects enabled. I'm quite impressed, it does look very good. Linux is good as a tool and to check hardware/make software modifications because of the freedom it gives you in that respect. However, in terms of functionality, Windows comes away gleaming. Linux could be great, if it were just that little bit more user friendly and that little bit more supported worldwide. Getting drivers from some Hardware is just plain NASTY with Linux, you have to go on these dodgy 3rd party sites and half the time the drivers just screw up. It's a fact, MS have the monopoly with their OS's. You get Windows XP for example, liklihood is that everything you try and install (within reason) will work, with or without a necessary patch. Windows also has the best entertainment capabilities, with Vista Premium and beyond coming with Media Centres which are actually quite good now. Linux, while always stable and virus-free, just cannot compete with the sheer functionality of Windows, especially if the word "Computer game" comes into the equation. You have to pay for Cedega just the play SOME PC games on Linux....sorry, but that's just no good.

Personally, i like the idea of Linux having a major rise in the world, in it's use. That would keep MS on it's toes and ensure they keep innovation up and perhaps even prices down. But until Linux broadens out a bit, that's just not happening.

By Slask on May 30th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hey Andy, I completely agree with you. LINUX is not at all user friendly and neither is any other OS except windows. Windows outperforms all others. And Chris, what I think is happening is that, Vista is looking for WDDM Drivers, and since i915 has none, so it blocks Aero. I think, that if Intel provides a beta WDDM Driver for this chipset, then Aero can be enabled.

By yohansy on May 30th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
y ese conductor que van a tirar solo es para la tarjeta de video 915 o servira tambien para la 910gl
please diganme

By Kris on May 30th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Intel is Garbage just bought a new laptop with nforce chipset
and graphics and AMD processor, all your complaints are falling on deaf ears ill never buy intel again if i possibly
can they need more competition only then will they start listening to their customers......... well it was nice while it lasted i wont be checking this forum any more good luck to
all of you !!! and thanks josh even if your efforts were futile

By IBB on May 30th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Josh was nicely that we give some information how your conversations advance or at least lines 'more nothing boys...are patient more awhile'!

By jim st james on May 31st, 2007 at 12:25 am
just knocked back a beaut ibm r52 AT a pittance of the new
price because i found it to have that gma 900 graphics engine,instead deciding to stick to the proven p111 recycled machine (rather opting for 945-965-975 chipset machine thus giving in to intell/microsoft manipulation schemes)WHY SHOULD I BOTHER WASTING TIME LOADING DRIVER AFTER DRIVER WITH INFERIOR SUPPORTED 915CHIPSETS IN 2k,XP,2k3 + OR CANNOT EVEN RUN AREO WITH vista ultimate,permium or buisness!
yep,intel screwed up the beaut r52 thinkpads with themsome graphics.(SHAME,SHAME,SHAME)!
not even a stinkin' beta driver implemnting no liability
towards intel or microsoft if one uses that driver
to keep everyone happy,bit scabby of them really.

By Andy R on May 31st, 2007 at 4:43 am
A Yohansy: Sà, el Intel 910GL seràa cubierto también por los conductores. Contento podràa utilizar mis habilidades espaà±olas para algo ahora

At Kris, Intel may have a grey area on this subject, but AMD are by far worse with their CPUs. Btw Nforce is the name of your Chipset not your graphics. You'll likely have Nvidia or ATI graphics. There are perfectly acceptable reasons Intel has given on this matter, on the GMA900 support page.

I don't mind too much. Intel continue to provide excellent products at good prices and to me, that's more than enough to keep me happy, i don't need Intel to hold my hand support wise But, indeed, a WDDM driver for this chipset definitely wouldn't go amiss.

By fluxam on May 31st, 2007 at 5:54 am
First & most important: thanks for your efforts!
I'm surprised how well Vista works on my week 1 Macbook, but, oh! for some pizzazz in looks!

By yohansy on June 1st, 2007 at 6:30 pm
q dicidieron lo van a tirar el driver digan please!!!!!!

By IBB on June 1st, 2007 at 11:20 pm
GO Intel GO

It's true AMD has completely lost the war with INTEL CPUs and it seems that they have Given in! They lost their brains on the way to the defeat! It seems that AMD's webmasters have completely lost it. And now, directly from AMD's website you can buy an Asus laptop with a mobile Core 2 Duo CPU inside it.Yes!!!Aero comes intel will buy all World if is necessary. All for costumers!

By Slask on June 2nd, 2007 at 10:43 am
Can anyone tell me whether I can upgrade the Chipset of my laptop from 915 to 945 or 965?

By dufang on June 3rd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Hi slask, I think it's not so easy, for a laptop, that's why we are expecting the wddm driver for 915. But you could have a try. Good luck!

By yohansy on June 3rd, 2007 at 5:06 pm
This is what says intel

Q3: Is Intel providing WDDM drivers for Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 (Intel GMA 900) on Intel 915 Express chipset-based platforms?

A3: Intel will provide support for WDDM drivers beginning with the Intel® 945 Express chipset family and beyond. See question 5 below for a detailed explanation of WDDM support on Intel® 915 Express chipset-based platforms. However, Windows Vista is supported on the Intel® 865G, 915G Express desktop chipsets and 852/855GM mobile chipsets running XPDM (XP Display Driver Model) driver included on the Windows Vista install media. Windows Vista will install on these platforms, but advanced features such as Windows Aero will not be enabled as XPDM drivers do not support Windows AERO.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-023606.htm#3

By Dan on June 3rd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
I think this is a disgrace. I have the 915 chipset and was very disappointed when I learned that Aero doesn't work. I have now replaced Vista with Ubuntu 7.04 and am running Beryl, with all effects turned on. The 3D effects are much better than Aero and it runs perfectly. I doubt I will ever go back to Windows and will most likely opt for non-Intel hardware in future.

By IBB on June 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Good morning yohansy have you slept the winter dream so far?
we know this

By zeeram on June 4th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Still nothing has happened @_@.

By yohansy on June 4th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
When Driver available for download is going to be????

By dufang on June 5th, 2007 at 11:07 am
i will always be waiting here!

By Sid on June 6th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Hi! I purchased a HP laptop, 1.70GHz 1GB memory. My ratings are:
Processor: 3.5
RAM: 4.1
Hard Drive: 4.3
Graphics: 1.9
3D Gaming: 1.0

I have an Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family graphics accelerator. Is there no way that I can run Aero glass on this. Please help, since I really need to activate this, I dont want 55000 bucks to go waste. Please suggest any registry tweaks or some alternate WindowBlinds skin that looks like aero glass. Plz plz plz plz help....

By Alex on June 6th, 2007 at 1:50 am
im affraid it can take a good while for the driver to be on,intel might not even be reading this blog and just made it so ppl can argue and not fuss on their forums to create more threads and "keep them busy" so...there is a chance of 50% driver will be out,but there is 50% it might not.IF it comes out then that is great but for me,they gonna have to proove me that they are working on it or at least trying to work on it.You guys should think that Josh might be saying the truth aswell as lie to keep us shut from post on the forums.I dont want to be rude but we should face the reality,85% of the things sayd a day by corporations/Hypermarkets/are based on lies,doesnt matter that the person who sayds them is from a huge company as much as from a small fruit market.They do everything for costumers to buy their stuff.
Anyways,we can just hope they are saying the truth,but dont expect much.

Cheers.

By Alex on June 6th, 2007 at 1:53 am
Para Yohansi : Es posible pero lee mi post,puede que si pero puede que no,eso depende si mienten o no,porque ya sabes que un 85% de las cosas dichas al dia de todo tipo de marcas es mentira para que les compren cosas.Lo que podemos hacer es esperar y haver que pasa...si es verdad o no lo que dice Josh:p

saludos y si te hace falta mas informacion escribe :p

By yohansy on June 6th, 2007 at 6:17 am
Josh says something

By Andy R on June 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I think Josh could have forgotten this for a sec. He'll probably see all these posts in a few weeks and go "Oh shit"

By Israel on June 6th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
What about someone finding a torrent for the beta version of Vista that had the drivers and take them out and try them on the retail version of Vista?

By Rony Tran on June 6th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Please give us an an update been waiting for quite a while please say something....

By Wolfeyes on June 7th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
The WDDM Drivers for the beta version of Vista doesn't work on the final one.

By Toby on June 7th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I think some expertise on chipset drivers in the GPL community may help by changing the beta or the 945/950 one. Some one (unfortunately only this text lines were sent to me, no author name) post an alteration in 945/950 WDDM driver, stating it works. I personaly did not test it, however if some one wants to have a try:

I've found a way to enable Aero Glass on my GMA900 Notebook.
The idea is to modify GMA950's driver and install in my GMA900 Notebook. By this way, you can cheat in Vista, and enable Aero Glass. But something I must to say is that I can't guarantee on the stability.

By Fulano on June 7th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
A SOLUTION? In the old days I used a program called "3d Analyze" to play games with features that my video card didn't have. This application was able to trick the game to recognize my video card as another one more advanced... as an ATI or NVIDIA to be more specific. With this app it was like having a new video card, and it really worked as a new video card. I wonder if there is a programer willing to study how this software worked and how and if its possible to trick Windows Vista to recognize our video cards as another one, more advanced. Make it an ATI or NVIDIA PLEASE!!! Thanks!!!

All of "3d Analyze" i found on the web. It seems the author is selling the source code. Take a look:

http://www.tommti-systems.de/go.html?http://www.tommti-syste...../shop.html

http://www.shareit.com/product.html?productid=300002147&.....LIVERY=EML

http://www.tommti-systems.de/go.html?http://www.tommti-syste.....files.html

http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/download/

http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/tutorials/

http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/archive/

By Alex on June 8th, 2007 at 12:21 am
Doh,Its useless =/ as i sayd "They arent even watching this thread and just created it to pass the time" anyways,only way i see is windowblinds for the Glass effects on the edges but need to pay 20$ for that :/ and all the rest of effects from aero wont work (things like 3d-flip etc)so bleh,Oh and btw,everyone who got an laptop from PackardBell, Sony Vayo etc,try going on your laptop's homepage,maybe your laptop's corporation has the driver with WDDM as some of them might actually do them to encrease their sell cause intel (josh and the team)seems that they care a drat about this :p

Cheers.

By yohansy on June 8th, 2007 at 6:47 am
Josh speaks please

By dufang on June 8th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Josh, where are you? Say something please!

By Luke on June 8th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Hey I tried that method posted By Toby on June 7th, 2007 at 1:34 pm.

1) I downloaded the latest driver and couldnt find that file that i was ment to edit.
2) I couldnt find the hardware ID in dxdiag. To find the hardware ID go to device manager, expand display and view properties of your graphics card then go to details then drop down list should be changed to hardware ids.
3) I downloaded all the past drivers but i couldnt find that file either in them, i looked myself then searched but found nothing

Can someone else try this ive had a look around on google and s few people seem to have posted this method to exceed the allowed limit on resolution. Maybe it does work but i got very confused.

I would really like a good hack for this to work.

Post here if you find anything, good try toby.

Ps. I did something and installed a different driver (i thought i had edited) then rebooted and the screen was just red lol so if this happens just reboot again and keep pressing the 'delete' key then start in safe mode, go to device manager and roll back the driver you changed.

Also if you want to try windowsblinds its availible on bittorrent if you use that
Luke.

By Psycho46 on June 8th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
It look's like we are wasting time here waiting for miracle....

By Disappointed_person on June 9th, 2007 at 2:10 am
Intel rather make more profits than creating the driver for WDDM, we believe that intel is cheating customers by labeling intel 915 GMS as 128MB.
This is a worst joke ever...
128MB is nothing right compare to nvidia and Ati...
We spent thousand of money buy intel's product and they did not show any respect on us!!!
Making us a stupid customer and labeling the laptop which is not older than 1 year old as OLD LEGACY EQUIPPED GRAPHIC CARD BASED LAPTOP....
@Josh...
You have done your best... just you were at the wrong company...
Hope they understand MONEY is more important than customers...
Poor Intel.... So despo for money

By martin on June 9th, 2007 at 7:40 am
i have been running vista ultimate on my laptop since late last month. the only problem is that i have thi 915 card

i got drivers for every thing else but the graphics driver for the 915 is a xddm driver...whats the difference.

theres no doubt that josh is sittin in his officedoin his other work

intel wont bring out a driver for the 915...vista works fine without it..

for all it would be better to get it...im happy both ways

By reedfoo59 on June 9th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Bonjour,

Je suis dans le meme pétrain que vous tous, j'ai Vista mais pas de aero. Cest vraiment dommage que ca ne puisse pas fonctionner avec cette carte graphique.
En plus je ne suis pas tres bon en Anglais donc je ne comprend pas exactement ce qu'il se passe mais vu le nombre de message il doit y avoir quelque chose d'important concernant cette carte graphique.
Est ce qu'il y a un driver qui permet de faire fonctionner l'effet aero en developpement???
Si quelqu'un est bilingue pourrait il me resumer en 2 ou 3 ligne ce qui se passe sur ce blog

Merci !!

By daniel on June 9th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Driver modification of GMA950 to intel 915 did not work!

By robbie on June 10th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Seriously, this is not about eye candy. Imagine people buy a laptop, they like to portability. Now they upgrade OS, and the movie maker will not open! Some of us don' want to spend more money on 'extra' products. Look at apple and steal the idea, make a system that runs out of the box, email, mp3 player, movie maker, picture viewer...
Don't expect end-users to upgrade OS, then have to purchase 'extra' software so they can get back to where they were before.
Work with and demand satisfaction from MS, it only make Intel look like their development teams did not push back on MS development teams.
Screw the eye candy' just make sure the OS and features work properly, for customer satisfaction!

I have since sold my toshiba/w intel chipset and moved to HP/AMD.
I don't think it is as nice a machine but Intel had lost my business, for now.
-robbie

By Malta on June 10th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Intel is crap guys.. I bought a Sony Vaio one of the best expensive notebooks on earth and guess what it has the intel 915 chipset grrrrrrrrrrr...No Aero, No Halo2 Vista , No DVD Maker and No Command and Conquer 3.... Its not loosing only Aero...Intel made our notebooks redundant...

By Luke on June 11th, 2007 at 7:00 am
I have atempted to have a go at what Toby posted on June 7th, 2007 at 1:34 pm but ran into problems.

1) I downloaded all of the latest and past releases of the graphics driver but could not find the file 'igdlh.inf' to edit.
2) I searched for that file and found one on my computer already and not careing about my laptop that much becuase theres always a way to reverse anything except the system bios, i edited it according to the instructions and then rebooted and the system just went onto a red screeen every time so i went in safe mode and changed it back to the previous version.
3) If anyone can find out more about this or how to make it work please PLEASE post it here!

PS. This is the second time ive posted this, I think my last was deleted so dont know why.

Luke.

By Andrew W on June 11th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Toby I tried it and it seems not to work.

By Alex on June 12th, 2007 at 12:33 am
well well...3 months?and still nothing out ,well thats enough i guess,im gonna sell my lappy and the vista DVD to half price ^^ and with those 2 i might buy an other lappy with amd,nvidia and screw vista and intel :p gonna install Linux ,for what i need(Web designing/Multimedia editing) its great as it works and dont need an dratty wddm driver sheesh,so damn hard is it to make that driver?i mean gosh,they made the 945(card and driver) in less than a month so wth? anyways,see u guys out and dont expect much,want styling?just rollback to winxp (or install XP) and Vista Transformation Pack 6 with Windowblinds 5.5 enhanced for the "glass" and 2k Glass for transparency on windows.Cya guys.Cya Intel.
P.S : For Intel : Im not the only costumer u will loose :p dont worry about that XD

Cheers Mates

By krish on June 12th, 2007 at 4:33 am
Driver modification of GMA950 to intel 915 worked.. Thanks a lot ketchrock for the hack.. Now I have Aero glass enabled in Ultimate...Wow its wonderful.. Movie maker and DVD maker too are working...

By Slask on June 12th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Its really a shame for Intel that a new company like Stardock with a work force of few hundred people can bring about the Aero effect and Intel, such and old and renowned company with a work force of 100000+ people cannot do so. Intel should be ashamed of themselves. Till now, i was a die hard Intel fan, but not anymore. I've lost my respect for Intel.

By dufang on June 12th, 2007 at 8:39 am
to reedfoo59:
en fait il y a pas grande chose qui s'est passe dans ce blog, tout le monde n'est pas content et c'est tout. ce que je trouve peut-etre utile pour toi c'est le post de ketchrock. cherche le en haut de ce blog
desole pour mon mauvais francais.

By W3 on June 13th, 2007 at 8:11 am
One result of this fiasco?

While I'm still holding out a faint hope of getting a proper driver for my 915-based laptop, I just advised my own mother to buy an AMD X2 based system. (Note: I almost pulled the trigger on one for myself as well...)

So, Josh, if you're still monitoring this, you can report to your superiors that the decision on this issue IS impacting sales, at least in some small way.

By Slask on June 13th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Does anyone know which file is responsible for enabling Areo? Or which file is blocking Aero, in our case.

By Andrew W on June 13th, 2007 at 10:03 am
It's not a file blocking Aero. After the beta drivers were released for the 915 Mirosoft changed the specs on Aero, so it will not work on the 915 at all.

By Andrew W on June 13th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I just ran ati vista readiness and this is what it says for the 915 specs.

Video Card
Best: 256 MB 100% DirectX 9 graphic card with Pixel Shader 3.0 hardware support (ATI Radeon X1800 series or better)
You Have: Intel® 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family () Upgrade Recommended: Sorry, your video card does not meet this requirement. Upgrading to a more powerful video card will make all your applications look better. Click the 'We Recommend' button to see some great options.
Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card Video RAM: Required - 256 MB , You have - 122.0 MB
Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes
Video HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - No
Vertex Shader Ver.: Required - 3.0 , You have - 0.0
Pixel Shader Ver.: Required - 3.0 , You have - 2.0

By randomblame on June 13th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I just thought I'd throw in the obligatory "Microshaft Blows" post in here. Oh yeah and intel should stick to CPUs they OBVIOUSLY dont have the capability to compete with AMD/ATI in driver development to support advanced GPUs. Centrino is a great platform, they should work to keep it's reputation.

By Fulano on June 13th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
krish can u please explain step by step what u did to get the hack to work? what is the exact model of ur intel card?

By dky on June 13th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Josh Bancroft wrote: "As always, in the spirit of transparency, I'll keep you all updated."

where are you? i cant see your updates? are they transparent also?

By yohansy on June 13th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
krish can u please explain step by step what u did to get the hack to work? what is the exact model of ur intel card?

please please please

Josh speaks please

By IBB on June 14th, 2007 at 5:57 am
you are the liar krish!!!do not believe you...because this is impossibly

By Andrew W on June 14th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I follwed the same instructions and it didn't work on the 915 on a dell E310.

please post step by step krish.

By Andrew W on June 14th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Are the GMA 900 and the 915 the same chip? He is using the 900GMA and we want a hack for the 915.

By Ali on June 14th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Hi, This may be a start on a way to enable glass on non WDDM devices like my Intel 915, it will be enabled but it would give a error after some time.

Instructions:

Step 1 - Download Fast Aero
http://www.mytempdir.com/1322627 or
http://fastaero.wordpress.com/

Step 2 - Extract the files and run "fastaero.exe", click on "start vista glass..." then click "OK". Notepad will apear so exit it.

Step 3 - Open "Task Manager"; Ctrl+Shift+Esc, make sure your on "processes", right-click "explorer.exe" and click end process.

Step 4 - Again on "Task Manager" click; File --> New Task then type "explorer" and hit "OK."

By Andrew W on June 14th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I tried it again and it says the computer doesn't meet the minum requirements to install the software.

By Francisco Puente on June 14th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Hi,

I installed Windows Vista Beta2 on this computer some time ago, using an intel 915 chip, and it ran Aero Glass without any problem at all. Now that I installed the final version of Windows Vista Business, it doesn't.

Seems to me that the hardware is just ok to run Aero Glass, if Microsoft don't let Intel "create a certified driver" I think you could release the driver as "beta", "uncertified" or maybe "run-it-at-your-own-risk"... most people would be satisfied with it, many of us just want to run the full Aero thing (not gaming), or as a fix for the DVD playback.

Thanks.

By HelpUs on June 14th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
This is worse than the Pentium calculation error from the early '90s - which Intel rapidly addressed. Can you say Tylenol? Intel this is a customer service DAYMARE! Do something. Help US!!!

This could be the final blow to Microsoft pushing people to use Linux or go with OS X.

We all know a driver WILL be released, just let it out of the gates NOW. You're only hurting yourself. Need I go on?!?!

By Andrew W on June 14th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Ali that says it is fow Windows xp not vista

By IBB on June 15th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Vystal is a program that can change the apperance of your Windows borders to Aero glass ...its for XP but work on Vista to!

http://vystal.de.vu/

By Psycho46 on June 15th, 2007 at 4:00 am
ali post worked on acer 3610

By dky on June 15th, 2007 at 5:59 am
to those that still dont know weather its microsoft's fault or intel's...

open COMMAND PROMPT on "start>all programs>accesories>Command Prompt" (right click and select run as administrator)

once "Command Prompt window" opens type: "c:\Windows\System32\>winsat features" press enter

probably you'll just need to type: "winsat features" press enter

Its Intel's fault, no doubt abolut it. The only thing missing on my computer is the LDDM Driver.

Josh do you still need more proof? hardware limitations? thats bs!

By CageIT on June 15th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Tried the modified 950 driver install and
it does not work. The driver installs for me
but windows can't start it. Intel really should
have supported this chipset in Vista from day one.
I am very disappointed.

By Andrew W on June 15th, 2007 at 10:58 am
After runing the winsat features the only thing missing on mine is the LDDM driver also.

By Hikashi on June 15th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
That is why intel graphic card promises to the customers...
If they handle things like that...
then so be it....
it would be a proof to all the customers what will happened if same problems pop out...
they better figure out and solve it ASAP...

By Slask on June 16th, 2007 at 6:56 am
ali post worked for me too. thanks Ali.

By Andy R on June 16th, 2007 at 10:45 am
The thing is guys, the Intel GMA900 was never designed with Vista in mind. Also, Graphics is not one of Intel's major market investments, despite a broadly successful start. Intel is first and foremost a CPU hardware development company, this is where they really deliver.

I think it would be nice if Intel came out with a driver by the Vista SP1, but i won't be ultra worried if it doesn't, just disappointed. I wouldn't try a hacked driver if someone payed me to do it, my Laptop is far too important to screw up.

By Yoshi on June 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Enable Aero on SUPPORTED Cards, with no drivers!
------------------------------------------------------------
1. Click on the start menu and type in devmgmt.msc and Enter to load it up.
2. Expand the Display Adapters section and right click on each device and select Uninstall.
3. Reboot the computer.
4. When it restarts, it should install a generic video driver so your screen will still work.
5. Go back into Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters section again and then right click on the device and select Update Driver.
6. This time select Browse My Computer for Driver and then Let me pick it from a list.
7. Go to the Graphics section closest to your Graphics Card and select the Driver closest, too.
8. Hit OK and install the new driver. Restart your computer.
9. Once you have rebooted, right click on your desktop and select Personalize again.
10. Click on Windows Colors and Appearance.
11. Click on Open classic appearance properties for more color options.
12. In the Color Scheme box, select Windows Vista Aero.
13. Hit OK and glass will now load.

By dky on June 16th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Andy R installing a hacked driver would never screw your Laptop, unless you dont know what you are doing.

By Slask on June 17th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Check this out:
http://maxupload.com/img/13B0155E.jpg
Is anybody out there still in doubt that i915 is incapable of running Aero/WDDM?

By arkoss on June 17th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
@Slask

you have fastaero running on your pc, is not the same thing to have a wddm driver

By Andrew W on June 17th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Slask is that your computer? If it is how did you get to run?

By ajeffreys on June 17th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Please tell me how you did that if it is your computer.

By DocArt on June 17th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Slask do you have any solution(s) ?
Regards

By dky on June 17th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
IMPORTANT INFO!!!!!!!!! HERE'S MORE PROOF!!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------
For those that still have doubt of the hardware capabilities for running AERO on an intel 915...
------------------------------------------------
Fist of all: Intel 915G = GMA 900
------------------------------------------------
On Intel's website I downloaded the following document: "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 Series Software Developer's Guide". On page 8 of this developers guide Intel compares the Intel 915G Chipset with other two video cards. Take a look and you will see that Intel 915G Chipset is superior on all hardware specifications. One of the cards compared is an nVidia GeForce FX 5200 and guess what? it has WDDM support. See for yourself:
------------------------------------------------
Intel' developers guide:
http://download.intel.com/ids/gma/Intel_915G_SDG_Feb05.pdf
------------------------------------------------
nVidia's drivers support website:
(select: "Graphics Driver > GeForce FX Series > Windows Vista 32-bit" and hit "Go" on the left. On the left menu of this new page select "Products Supported". And there is the GeForce FX 5200.)
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
------------------------------------------------
Intel please stop lying to your customers. I know we are different species from you but we still are intelligent beings and we have feelings.

By Andrew W on June 17th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Slask looking at your screenshot again it looks like you are using a laptop. We need the Desktop driver for the 915 not laptop driver.

By midnight72 on June 18th, 2007 at 1:26 am
Slask using Fastaero not WDDM driver

http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=i915rs0.jpg

Fastaero is a free beta software like windowblinds

By midnight72 on June 18th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Slask is using Fastaero, NOT WDDM DRIVER!!

http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=i915rs0.jpg

Fastaero is a free beta software like windowblinds

By dufang on June 18th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Slask! How did you do that! Tell us please!! We will all appreciate for that!

By midnight72 on June 18th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Slask is using Fastaero NOT WDDM driver!!!!
http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=i915vn1.jpg

Fastaero is a free beta software like windowblinds!

By luke on June 18th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Slask used fast aero can you not see how the inside of the aero effect is dodgy and some buttons are missing (minimize etc...) Someone posted abot fash aero before, i tried it but it was too dodgy for me try it for yourself if this is the kind of solution you want...

'Quote'
By Ali on June 14th, 2007 at 2:12 pm

Hi, This may be a start on a way to enable glass on non WDDM devices like my Intel 915, it will be enabled but it would give a error after some time.

Instructions:

Step 1 - Download Fast Aero
http://www.mytempdir.com/1322627 or
http://fastaero.wordpress.com/

Step 2 - Extract the files and run "fastaero.exe", click on "start vista glass..." then click "OK". Notepad will apear so exit it.

Step 3 - Open "Task Manager"; Ctrl+Shift+Esc, make sure your on "processes", right-click "explorer.exe" and click end process.

Step 4 - Again on "Task Manager" click; File --> New Task then type "explorer" and hit "OK."

Luke.

By Slask on June 18th, 2007 at 7:01 am
Hi everyone, that screenshot is from my own laptop and as u can see i m having the i915 chipset. i tried the method described by Ali i.e. using Fast Aero and it worked for me. I think it should work for your all as well.

By Andrew W on June 18th, 2007 at 8:19 am
The trick does not wor on a Dell Dimension E310 with an Intel 82915 vidoechip. I tried it 2 different and it didn't work.

By Slask on June 18th, 2007 at 8:48 am
@ arkoss, my point is, i915 is perfectly capable of running Aero and hence a WDDM driver can be written for it. It is true that Fast Aero only enables the glass like effect but that is only to the upper portion of the window i.e. Title Bar, the rest is not rendered translucent. as u can see from the screenshot that the area near the address bar and search fiels of Control Panel is still vista basic.

By Andrew W on June 18th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Kirsh what model of intel chip do you have? Is it a desktop or laptop?

Still waiting for you to post step by instructions

By Slask on June 18th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Hey Andrew, I m also waitin for Kirsh to reply. I wonder if he is even visiting this page as his purpose is solved now.

By Andrew W on June 18th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I just hope if he does come back that he is using a desktop and not a laptop.

By Dino J. on June 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Thank you so much, Josh Bancroft for all your efforts. I pray that yes a beta open source release of WDDM for 915 would be successful.

This battle is so unfortunate. The lesson we learn in here is NOT TO BELIEVE PC vendors and Software vendors . . . I guess it is better to wait before making any purchase . . .

God bless you all.

By Slask on June 18th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I hope that they realese a 915 WDDM driver for both laptop and desktop. By the way Andrew, is there any difference between desktop 915 and laptop 915?

By Andrew W on June 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I don't know. I think there might be. I tried he 945GM driver repacing the 945GM hardware with what is listed as the hardward ID of the xp driver that vista installs since I don't have xp.

By Andrew W on June 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I would be happy if they just release the driver or workaround to enable the dvd/movie maker in vista.

By romanca on June 19th, 2007 at 8:37 am
I am having another issue. I connect my notebook with intel 915 card to external monitor which is wide screen. when I first instaled vista in the february I could get a widescreen resolution 1680x1050 working. After they have released update to driver trough windows update I have lost this widescreen resolution and I can get only regular 4:3 resolutions. Can I do something about it and get widescreen resolution working again?

By Ali on June 19th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I Have found a similar way to enable the newer version of FastAero without the errors on any Graphics Card even without WDDM like Intel 915.
Instructions:

Step 1 - Download FastAero build 0600: http://www.uploading.com/files/UEA9F01I/FastAero_beta0600.7z.html (Needs Winrar or 7Zip to extract)

Step 2 - Extract the archive in a familiar place where you would rememeber like root; C:\

Step 3 - Open taskmanager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC), on 'Processes' right-click 'explorer.exe' and click 'End Process'

Step 4 - Again in taskmanager click on file->New Task and choose the file 'FastAero.exe' (Where you extracted the FastAero archive)in my case c:\, click 'Start' on fastaero

Step 5 - On Taskmanager click File->New Task and type 'explorer' and hit 'enter' or click 'ok'.

This works better than the previous version where there were errors after a window was minimized/maximized.

By Andrew W on June 19th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Ali

I can't get that to work. I tried 7zip and it does nothing. Winrar says the file is corrupt.

Andrew W

By IBB on June 20th, 2007 at 3:20 am
This seems uglily on my laptop...full bugs.

By Ali on June 20th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Anderw W
The file must be corrupt, re-download it and I recommend opening it in Winrar.

Download - http://www.uploading.com/files/UEA9F01I/FastAero_beta0600.7z.html

http://fastaero.wordpress.com/

By Ali on June 20th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Is it possible to retreive DWM files, Winsat, or even some regestry keys from Vista Beta which the 915's Aero glass worked!

By IBB on June 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Its not possible...915 worked during the beta tests because Vista didn't need WDDM at that time..and now need!

By yohansy on June 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
josh josh josh speaks please!!!!!!!!!

By Lara Pujangga on June 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Is'it Possible that we change the graphic card on our notebook? (Mean Upgrade intel915 to intel945)

By Hikashi on June 20th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
he has gone for real...
maybe intel just threat ppl like that...
consumers right = nothing at all...
money speaks

By IBB on June 21st, 2007 at 12:33 pm
No Lara...you cant change graphic card in you notebook...only you can do its wait like us,or buy better laptop if you want aero or movie maker....

By Andrew W on June 21st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
I just got a resonse back that Intel will not release the driver. I even enclosed the output of the winsat features command.

By zeeram on June 21st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
http://softwareblogs.intel.com/2007/05/24/whats-our-problem-.....out-intel/

By Frozenbox on June 21st, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Hey, I got an Idea!!

Let me upgrade my laptop by ripping it open, blow torching the 915GM out of it and soldering a GM950 onto it. Crappy Acer Aspire 1640 with GM915...

6 months b4 vista Launch - US$1130 @ Circuit City.

Friends, I got happily hosed, by Acer and Intel - And I've been a HUGE fan of Intel since my first 80286 (Olivetti M250).

What's a guy to do?

By kostas1500 on June 22nd, 2007 at 9:21 am
how can i download drivers for intel 950 gm 128???i've installed the game:infernal and windows said that i need to update my drivers.(i have a laptop)

By funny on June 23rd, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Josh! Come back!

By ULTRA MOBILE PC TIPS on June 24th, 2007 at 4:19 am
this post

By Manuel on June 24th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hi all from Spain,

I tried installing 945 driver.

Result--> crash.

:-((

I can't believe Intel is going to allow losing so many customers because of this issue. Because they will. For sure.

By Ayrton on June 24th, 2007 at 10:58 am
hello i found this:
1. Open up Regedit.
2. Navigate through HKEY_local_machine, Software, and Microsoft.
3. Create a new KEY called DWM.
4. In the new DWM key you created, create a DWORD called EnableMachineCheck.
5. Make sure this value is set to 0 and hardware checking is now disabled.
has enyone tried it?

By Colin on June 25th, 2007 at 9:33 am
WDDM driver for gma900!!!! Intel!

By Andres Ventura on June 26th, 2007 at 6:32 am
the video card Intel Graphics Average Accelerator 950GM supports Directx 10 ?

By Slask on June 26th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Yes, 950GM supports Directx 10 and so does GMA 900/915.

By Slask on June 26th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Yes, 950GM supports Directx 10, and so does GMA 900/915.

By dufang on June 26th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Ayrton, does it work? I don't think so

By Censored on June 26th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Im just wondering...if the driver that came with the beta2 release worked fine, then how hard would it be to pull that driver out and try using it with the retail version?

By Censored on June 26th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
ugh, never mind my last comment...i dont think WDDM was implemented at that stage, so...

By Luis Slaova on June 27th, 2007 at 1:00 am
Ayrton, it worked in the beta, but it isn't working in the final version of Vista.

By Ayrton on June 27th, 2007 at 2:33 am
the only thing we can do is wait for intel to release the driver!

By Fast Aero on June 27th, 2007 at 8:00 am
http://www.petitiononline.com/intel915/petition.html

By Slask on June 27th, 2007 at 8:55 am
That petition is there forever. I dont know when he'll submit it to Intel.

By arkoss on June 27th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
@Censored

driver in beta release not working on retail or rtm, driver name is intel lakeport wddm and after installing on vista final version you have a pc with a black screen

By dky on June 27th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I wonder if Josh was able to speak to graphics team...

By Kannan on June 27th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I don't think intel will consider wddm for 915 until unless if they face legal notice. But we can't do this. So either we can exchange our laptop or live with XP. But the learning curve is don't belive company like intel. Insted of intel we can move AMD, and ATI(video) etc.....

By Bill_Gets on June 28th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Nothing is going to enable the INTEL 915 GMS to enable Window Aero Theme Or Running Window Movie Maker....
Please Take Note...

Thanks For Giving Us The Experience Of Enjoying Aero Effect At Beta....

Flame You For Being Such A Self-Centered Person...
I know 915 Meet The Requirement and WE JUST WANT TO RUN THE SOFTWARE ONLY....

IF YOU, INTEL Cannot Promise Us Such A Easy Task...
I bet AT Future You Guys Will Get What You Deserve.....

By LWW on June 28th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Well my company just received 165 laptops that have the i915 video, and I installed Vista Enterprise and discovered that the Aero Glass and associated features ie: Movie Maker and DVD Recorder were not functional. Consiquently, we have obtained an RMA for the whole shipment and have arranged to have all units replaced with ADM processors/chipsets for the same model of laptop. Guess Intel better wake up and come up with a Firmware upgrade and Driver for their products to remain compatible with the latest OS that Microsoft is producing. Fairwell INTEL or is that NUNTEL.

By Arthur on June 28th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Josh Bancroft,if are already open this question and give us some hope then us at least became skilled how advance or at least lines if give up or have not solved nothing along this question.....is not nicely that nothing do not say because crowded here expects your results.

By Nick on June 28th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Well, I also communicated with Microsoft on the Vista blog.. they say that "Intel has no plans to release WDDM drivers for your graphics card" (ie. 915GM) I don't think that there should be any problems from the Microsoft's side to permit the WDDM driver... its just that Intel is promoting it's 945 GM card... Thanx to intel, my brand new laptop is just garbage.. Ive got a double duo processor with a 2GB ram, but i cant run Aero becoz of this WDDM issue.. this really sux.... But yeah, someone got the link to windowblinds 5.5 enhanced with crack working in Vista (I dont wana spend more money on buying softwares cuz Ive had enough)

By Nick on June 28th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Check this out:
http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-023606.htm#3

I guess this clears all doubts... No WDDM for 915 for sure..

By Andy R on June 29th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Dear god...the noobs!

No, neither the Intel GMA900 nor the GMA950 support DX10, they are both DX9 only. The GMA900 supports DX9b and the GMA950 supports DX9c. Only the GMA3100 supports DX10 and that's intel's latests integrated graphics chip.

And Kannan, why are you even here if you're an AMD guy? Go buy AMD, for what little they're worth, and be done with it! Jeez, u turn what is an ordinary support thread into a flame thread. I don't want to touch AMD processors, they're just not as good, especially in Laptops. For PCs, Intel are currently way in the lead with their CPUs, WAY in the lead! ATI i'm not so fond of either, although i would buy a graphics card from them. I'm not happy with the way AMD have pudged them, so now they came out with DX10 cards months later than they should have and even then, they're not up to scratch to compete against the Geforce 8 series from nVidia.

By G Mayhew on June 29th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I feel cheated and I am very irrated by the very short support span that intels products have. I personally have now changed to AMD, and I would recommend people do the same. If you were to look at dell's site now you would see that AMD is starting to replace the Intel market.

By G Mayhew on June 29th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
lol i just read the slogan at the top of the page...

Intel has the software.... let the dialogue begin

More like

Intel lacks the software... let the moaning begin

By sam on July 1st, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Krish tell me the detailed steps of how u enabled aero?? r u telling the truth..because people come and check daily this page.. If there is any reply.. I dont think u have got it enabled.. if so y r u hiding the truth..Please post......

By Tritsma on July 1st, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I'm Affraid he's right about the support for DirectX 10, just look at the graph in this wiki article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA

By John Abraham on July 2nd, 2007 at 2:56 am
Hello everyone,
Just came acroos this page while browsing..so I thought of putting a word to u all..I dont understand y people are so much crazy about having aero enabled on their pc's. Its just an eye candy..I myself is using Vista ultimate with aero turned off..and if it is for Movie maker, microsoft has already released movie maker 2.6 and for DVD maker there are many other softwares such as Adobe - Encore DVD CS3..which I personally consider as the best DVD authoring program on this planet..So y bother having "AERO"...
and I say to u people out there that never ever can AERO be enabled on Intel 915 chipsets as the hardware scheduler is missing..the fact that it worked on Vista Beta 2 is that Vista was using XP driver model to enable aero..
As a chip design engineer, I would like to say... all the hack mentioned above are a gud waste of time either it will screw up the components by installing modified driver which will wrongly interpret the driver software to make that particular hardware to work.. So guys dont waste time by trying these worthless hacks..
You can always buy a gud graphics card from vendors like Nviidia... etc..by putting some dollars.. If at all u want AERo support..

Thanks,
John...

By yohansy on July 2nd, 2007 at 8:23 am
Josh Bancroft you are a liar

By Andrew W on July 2nd, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Hey John Why should the customer who upgraded to vista have to buy more software just to burn movies in Vista since tjhe 82915 has no WDM driver?

What are people supposed to do when all they have is the integrated graphics and the pci slots are full?

By John Abraham on July 3rd, 2007 at 4:14 am
Andrew W, such impossibilities have to be overruled in my opinion.. people should think in a positive way I mean they have to accept the fact.. the reality..
They have to find an alternative...may be a freeware equivalent to Windows DVD maker..
I have found one for you:
http://www.dirfile.com/video_dvd_maker_free.htm

By frax on July 3rd, 2007 at 7:07 am
Why Intel has developed a new version of XP drivers for GMA 950 and upper (v 14.29 April 2007) and not for GMA 900 (last version 14.25 January 2007) ?
I rise this question because 14.29 drivers works fine on a GMA 900 under Vista. I think that Intel wants to leave the support for GMA 900 because it is an ancient product that already does not bring benfits.

By Andrew W on July 3rd, 2007 at 9:04 am
John you are missing my point why should I have to install more software (even if it is free it takes up room on the hard drive) if vista already has it and it would work if the video card had WDM drivers?

By John Abraham on July 3rd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Andrew, I already mentioned in the previous post that 915 was designed well before Vista's WDDM specification came in.. that means in the layman's term "WDDM Driver for 915 cannot be written" or it is impossible to write.If at all there was to be a WDDM Driver for 915 it would'nt work properly as an Integral component called Hardware Scheduler is missing in 915 chipsets..which enables Hardware Transform and Lighting(HTL) that refers to the task of converting spatial coordinates, which in this case involves moving three-dimensional objects in a virtual world and converting the coordinates to a two-dimensional view. Lighting refers to the task of taking light objects in a virtual scene, and calculating the resulting colour of surrounding objects as the light falls upon them.
And u can check this page which says the truth abt HTL:
http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-011910.htm

Hope this answers your question..

By krish on July 3rd, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Guys... I'm back... sorry to say that my PC crashed after installing the modified driver.. I fired the PC this morning and I'm horrified to see that the welcome screen is with random green patches.. Now I'm afraid is there anything abt the hardware which got screwed up

By jake on July 4th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Im really stuffed. My Intel M 23GHz laptop i only got about 8 months ago. I ran xp for about 6 months with WindowBlinds vista skin! it was great. Then i bought vista ultimate- thought id have aero and evreything- just vista basic! No Aero scheme nothing! I have a Intel 915GM 128MB ram, 512MB Intel M 23GHz Toshiba! Help!

By jake on July 4th, 2007 at 2:08 am
Can i just add that on XP i had vista aero with blur- worked perfectly- Now im on the real deal and its not there! Is there some registrey hack i could try?

By Douglas W. Goodall on July 4th, 2007 at 9:02 am
I am waiting for a class action suit about the "Vista Capable" stickers. I purchased three VC desktops and a pricey Sony Vaio none of which have enough hardware to run premium Vista. I will never forget this and I vote with my wallet.

By Andrew W on July 4th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Isn't the driver really software? If that's the case why can the 82915 emulate the aero interface using windows blinds?

By Slask on July 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I Agree with Andrew. Check out this screenshot posted earlier by me:
http://maxupload.com/img/13B0155E.jpg
Here, a small program called FastAero can bring about the glass effect, then why not Intel write a proper WDDM driver for the i915. This screenshot also proves that i915 is perfectly capable of running Aero user interface and hence a WDDM driver can be written for it.

By Andrew W on July 4th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Slask do you have a desktop or laptop? That is not the same chip the 82915 not the mobile intel.

Well I finally decided to abandon the hopes of getting the wddm driver and bought a new video card and it should be here by friday.

Even though I will have the ew card I will still hold out hope for the driver.

Also did anyone notice a major pc seller switched video chipsets from Intel to a better one?

By Andrew W on July 4th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Slask I am sorry after reading more the chipset is the same sorry for asking. Like I said before if the 82915 chipset can run run aero like features using window blinds/fastaero, why doesn't someone write a driver for it?

By John Abraham on July 4th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Andrew W, May I know which graphics card u have ordered and the cost of the same

By Andrew W on July 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I ordered this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814161017

Since I have no free pci slots and the dell dimension E310 has only a pci express1 slot this was my only option.

By Pamela on July 6th, 2007 at 3:40 am
Is Josh Bancroft sleeping...Ohh Josh wake up from deep slumber,,,,,,,,,,

By Andrew W on July 6th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
John I recieved the card to today and if you have a pci x1 slot without a free pci slot I would reccomend that card. The dell actually runs faster and I can use movie maker now.

By John Abraham on July 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Andrew, What is the score do u get for Aero in the performance rating??r u able to run Aero??

By Andrew W on July 6th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Yes it's running Aero.

2.0 for graphics and 3.4 gaming graphics

By Andrew W on July 6th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I forgot to add Movie maker runs also.

By bmorris1006 on July 7th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I would just like to post that since upgrading to Vista this last weekend, I have been unable to play WOW due to my driver stopping responding. Actually all of my games more intense than Solitaire will go to a black screen and then unfreeze for a few moments. After spending time with Warcraft tech's on the phone, we have come to believe that my Nvidia GeForce 6200 PCI card is not to blame, but that my 82915 is not compatible with Vista. Is there any way around this to get my games to work? Or am I at the mercy of Intel to release a driver? Or is it possible to just upgrade the chipset without rebuilding my whole computer? Any advice would be helpful. My WEI is 3.9 Procc, 4.4 Mem, 2.7 Graph, 2.8 Gaming, and 5.4 HD.

By Charbel Saad on July 7th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Hey there, I have a Sony VAIO VGN-BX561B Laptop with a Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset and it doesn't run Aero.
- Is there anyway to upgrade my graphics card?
- Does anyone know how can I replace the Vista Basic Theme with the Vista Standard Theme, or maybe just replace the caption buttons (Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons) to look like the ones in Aero?

By funny on July 8th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
anyone knows if a laptop can change the video card? I think no. So I have to wait here.

By Andrew W on July 8th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
nope you can't change a laptop video card.

By JMPZ on July 8th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Josh is trying to help - stop flaming the guy who is trying to help.

My 2 cents:
When you manufacture components designed for integrated systems, it is expected that people will be using them beyond the typical lifespan of an upgradable component. It is the manufacturers responsibility to actively support their product while it is still incorporated in systems, and used by a significant number of people.

When the majority of users request a feature, it is good practice to "waste" some resources providing the feature.

The 915 can do everything necessary to be WDDM except one: be certified.

It might be a little slower, because some feature must be done in software rather than hardware, but I can assure you that none of us care. We just want the ability to use the features. Unsigned, uncertified, under-the-table drivers would be a blessing.

If intel refuses to work on it because they consider the chipset to be "legacy", then for heaven's sake, release some source code and let the bored masses do the work for you!!!

Thanks.

By Miguel A. Zafra on July 8th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Each day I'm sure that Intel is waiting that this storm will be over.. They will not publish any driver at a