Member Avatar for tech291083

Hi,

Just thought that it would be nice to tell members here about the specific features of this new os. Here are the links. Let me know if they are any good for what you have in mind in terms of the version to be purchased in the near/not so near future. Thanks,


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Useful summary and practical notes that build on ’s links and the DreamScene tips from / @mmmmmmmmmmm.

Vista editions in one line: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate — Home Premium targets home/media use (Aero + Media Center), Business/Enterprise add domain/group-policy and corporate encryption features, and Ultimate bundles consumer + business features plus the “Ultimate Extras” add‑ons. Pick Home Premium if the main need is media and games; pick Business/Enterprise for domain join and management; pick Ultimate only if the Extras or every single feature matters. (learn.microsoft.com)

About DreamScene and hardware: DreamScene was distributed as an Ultimate Extra (content packs were later pushed via Windows Update) and relies on the Desktop Window Manager to composite video wallpaper, so the machine needs a Vista/Aero‑ready GPU and a WDDM/Direct3D driver for hardware acceleration. Because the compositor uses the GPU, DreamScene can increase power use on laptops; updating the video driver and confirming the system meets Aero requirements often fixes missing options. (blogs.windows.com)

Practical troubleshooting and alternatives (gaps the thread didn’t cover): verify the driver model and DirectX with dxdiag and check Device Manager for a WDDM driver; update the GPU vendor driver if Aero or DreamScene won’t enable. If DreamScene isn’t desirable or not available (non‑Ultimate systems), consider Stardock DeskScapes or player‑based workarounds (VLC, third‑party activators) that reproduce video wallpapers without Ultimate Extras — these tools also offer pause/stop controls to limit battery impact. For a stable choice on laptops, prefer a static wallpaper or pause animated backgrounds when unplugged. (howtogeek.com)

Short clarifying note: the posts here correctly identified that DreamScene was an Ultimate feature and may need an update/extra download; the additional checks above (driver model, DirectX, power tradeoffs, and third‑party options) fill the common troubleshooting and buying gaps.

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Member Avatar for binoj_daniel

Hi,

I have windows vista Ultimate on my laptop and i simply love it.

Member Avatar for mmmmmmmmmmmm

yh i hav ultimate on my laptop aswell i heard that you can get moving backgrounds??? is it true? if so plz tell me where i can get them from!


cheerz
xx

Member Avatar for binoj_daniel

Vista has an inbuilt support for "Motion Desktop", "Desktop Aurora" is a more fancier name for the same. You can even set video as a wallpaper.
To set an inbuilt one do this.

Right click on the desktop and goto "Personalize"
Then select "Desktop background" -> Select "Windows DreamScene Content" from the Content list. and choose any of the pre-loaded ones.
Thats it you are ready to go.

Member Avatar for binoj_daniel

Some things that you should know before you start using Windows DreamScene:

  • Windows DreamScene supports only .mpeg and .wmv video file formats.
  • Windows DreamScene video support requires a graphics card that supports Windows Aero.
Member Avatar for mmmmmmmmmmmm

thanks for replying to my post!

but theres one problem....

when i get to the background screen.... i cant find anything to do with dreamscene or how to choose content!!!!

sorry if i sound like a noob but its my 1st day with vista!!!

heres a screen shot to see if that helps

btw i have a nvidia geforce 7400

Member Avatar for mmmmmmmmmmmm

ok theres no need to reply to me as i hav solved my problem, i didnt realise that you first have to download dreamscene from the windows update page

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