Windows setting won't stay "enabled"

from WinCustomize Forums
I've been pulling my hair out about this and figured I'd see if anyone had any ideas.

I am having a problem with the standard Windows option "Show window contents while dragging". This is in the display properties, click on the appearance tab, then on the "Effects" button.

In short what happens is this. I turn this on (check it) and it works just fine. However when I log off and later log back on this setting is no longer checked and moving windows again function using the outline vs showing the contents.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Windows XP Pro SP1
WindowBlinds 4.2 (build 126)
2,001 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm, only thing I can think of is once you've set the option do a shut down and make sure Windows shuts down all on it's own. XP has a tendency to lose settings if it isn't shutdown properly. If this doesn't work, you're probably left with the typical MS product fix, re-install and set the option right after you've completed the install.


Good Luck!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I tried doing the whole shut down and restart bit to no avail. I haven't had any other problems either. I don't think I want to go through all the hassle/effort of a reinstall just for the "Show window contents while dragging" setting. Oh well, I was just grasping at straws.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know exactly how you feel.. Getting an install of windows where everything works as it should is rather hard to come by, which is why when I struck gold I made a ghost image of it and have never started from scratch since. Next time you're going through the process consider ghosting your install if everything is as it should be.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance..
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it may have something to do with your color settings...

Im not postive about this, but I dont think that shadows can be displayed unless you are running 32bit color. (Allows for translucency) On my laptop, the color only goes up to 24 bit and the shadows will not appear.

Right click the desktop and go to Properties>>Settings>>Color Quality...See if it goes up to "Highest (32bit)"...If it does, it and then go back to the shadow setting and see if it will work.


[Message Edited]
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually the shadows setting works just fine. It's just the "Show window contents while dragging" that I am experiencing trouble with. Sure enough though my setting are 1280 x 1024 at 32bit color. I couldn't image using less of a color setting with my 17" LCD.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ack...Didnt read your post correctly...

Duh..
Duh...
Duh....




Unfortunately, I dont think I can be of any more assistance here...
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like I have an answer to this mystery. I posted on the Community Newsgroups at microsoft.com and got a response from someone who took a guess that I had a Dell and pointed me to a thread in a Dell support forum. Doing a little more searching through the Dell support forums and I found the following post by a Dell Moderator


To All,

I just inherited this board, so forgive the late response.
The Dell Media Experience software automatically disables the "Show windows content..." option because having that option enabled could cause video corruption.
So, when you have the DME software installed, that option will be disabled by default.
You can try stopping the DME software in MSCONFIG like "JMK" suggested, or you can simply uninstall the DME software.
The "Show Window Contents While Dragging" option has been shown to cause video corruption on various systems depending on what other software or hardware may be installed.
That is the reason it was decided to disable this option when using the DME software.


I never would have thought to specify I was running a Dell. Figured I'd post a follow-up though in case anyone else has a similar problem.