Windows vista aero theme not working?

This is actually more frustrating then it sounds. I've been looking online for solid answers and I have tried virtually everything that people had to offer. I've tried just doing a simple restart on my computer because 90% of the time a restart will more than likely fix my problem (this time it didn't).

I have downloaded and ran the Microsoft Fixit and that did nothing to help.
Here is my results:


imgur: the simple image sharer


Then it proceeds to send me to this link:
Microsoft Fix it Online

Tried all of these... tried updating my computer until there were no more updates available.
Tried this: imgur: the simple image sharer

Updated my graphics card (I think)... Made sure Nvidia was up to date (It was).
Made sure ClearType was on.

One link pointed me to this website about Java and I have no clue where to even begin with the "install" ----------------> Java SE 6 Platform Installation
(Also I don't suspect this has anything to do with Java)

After going through more forums and that whole fix it page. Can't seem to find anything that will help me. I do remember that i was messing around with my Monitor display settings before all of this started to happen... (Also I was doing a lot of windows updated and I updated and downloaded Silverlight)...
I remember doing this after I downloaded a game off steam called Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Here is a picture: imgur: the simple image sharer
(It wont let me change back to the default monitor and when I do change it back it wont let me turn the resolution up... I vaguely remember it being at default when my aero theme was working...
So hopefully that will give you guy insight to what I'm still trying to figure out.

Here is pictures of what it does when I actually try to change the theme and Window color and appearance.
This is what it says my current theme is: it isn't even windows classic... it's like a weird bright white box shaped like windows classic ------> imgur: the simple image sharer

This is what happens when I change it to Windows Vista theme: imgur: the simple image sharer

This is what happens when I want to change the Window color and appearance:

imgur: the simple image sharer
&
imgur: the simple image sharer

(Just sits there in black screen)

Alright well hopefully someone out there might know what to do. I'm always down to try new suggestions and ideas. Sorry if I seemed a bit negative but this is definitely something I don't like looking at, or not being able to fix.

Cheers!
Oh and here is what the taskbar looks like:
imgur: the simple image sharer

Thanks in advance!

Right on the start menu and in the box type in services.msc. Find Desktop Window Manager Session Manager and double click on it. Make sure that startup type is automatic and click on start.

When I turned that off I lost aero so if that's your problem turning it back on should fix it.

It was actually something to do with vista glazz... problem is fixed.

thanks fellaz

I'm glad that you where about to figure it out. Please share your resolution with us.

Possible Answer:

Double check the Windows 7 "Themes" Service is running.

Some folks, including me, followed a performance tweak and were stuck with the Windows 7 toolbar being a white (Windows Classic). Altering the theme did not correct this. It turned out the Themes service was not automatic.

If you have this problem, where Desktop (right-click) "Personalize" "Windows Color" showing only as Windows Classic).

Run "services.msc", ensure the "Themes" service is Automatic (and Started). That is the Windows 7 default mode for this Service.

Then you can then select any Windows Aero theme and it will provide the toolbar transparency again


Here's the interesting thing, I don't remember having altered the Themes service.
My fault for doing this, but I had followed a tip, which I believe caused the issue.
If you Right-click on Computer, Properties, left margin Advanced system settings, then Settings button in Performance section. On Visual Effects tab, Adjust for Best performance, you may end up with this issue once you Log Off or Restart.

Later, I realized I wanted my default Windows 7 Toolbar look back! Aero troubleshooting and a Microsoft FixIt attempt did not find the problem. After repeating the above, but choosing Adjust for best appearance, I thought I'd reverse this, but I seemed stuck with Winodws Classic for Color and Toolbar and was quite frustrated. I went back to check ALL default Windows 7 Services and found the Themes service had been set away from Automatic. Hopefully, my learning the hard way may help you avoid going to far in this same way.