Vista - fullscreen games not compatable with vista aero

The problem I've been having is that when I try to run a game in full screen mode the game will just minimize itself and no matter how many times i try to bring it up it just flashes a black screen and then returns to the desktop with the game still minimized. I believe I've found what causes this but I'm still not satisfied with my current solution. What I've found so far is that on my computer full screen games don't like to run in 32bit color mode. I've got an ati card and when I change the color setting in the catalyst control center to 16bit also disabling aero the games seem to run fine. What I'm trying to find out I guess is
A. am i fixing the root of the problem by doing this?
B. is there a way to have games incompatable with aero automatically adjust the color and aero settings when started then return the settings to normal on close?

Thank you all so much for your help, I was browsing through the forums for a bit earlier looking for a solution and didn't find it; but you all are clearly very knowlageable in dealing with vista related issues and I'm sure you can help me find some answers.

Did you try to run in compatibility mode: Using Windows Vista Compatibility Mode :: the How-To Geek

Did you try updating your video card drivers?

Hello NickC1689,
Can you post your system specs please.
Also has this just started and is it in all games ?.

that is weird all my games work fine with aero and fullscreen i even have dreamscene running and have no issues.

what resolution are you running?

what video card? i know you said ati but which one?

and yes if a program is incompatable with aero vista should stop aero and restart aero when the program is ended, at least it does on my wifes laptop.

I run Everquest fine in full screen mode under vista 32-bit. I can even run both my accounts in full screen.

I'm not sure if you have to change the color bit depth settings in the ATI control panel and then from the display menu under personalization, but have you looked in device manager for your gpu and if there is an exclamation mark? This sounds like a driver issue. What graphics card do you have?

There is also the option of right-clicking the game in question and then under compatibility disable desktop composition by putting a check mark in the relevant box and applying the settings. Try adjusting the other settings too. Lastly, patch the game to the newest version.

Hi

I got a similiar problem to that with some games i had, it only happen on games that used direct x 7

Only way to solve it was turn aero off before running that game.

there is an option to disable themes on particular games when you right click the shortcut and go to compatability.