Vista Ultimate 32bit + SolidWorks + X1400

Hi guys,

I have this weird problem with solidworks: whenever I open a new part or assembly, the background of the main window is projected on top of the main part of the part or assembly window. For example, you how if you open word, excel or any program like that but don't open up a new document and just have that shell with the menu and the grey background? Well that background shows up OVER the main part of whatever new document you opened. It only happens on solidworks though. I can see the actual background if I am actively clicking on the main window. But as soon as I let go (unclick), the grey background comes right back. So obviously I cannot work since I can't see my part.

I figured this was a problem with my graphics card drivers and vista since I had an x1400 on an xp system and solidworks worked fine

Anyways here is what I tried so far:
-Default mobility ATI drivers that came with the system
-Latest mobiliy ATI drivers from lenovo
-Latest radeon ATI drivers installed with mobilitymodder from driversheaven.net
-I tried to softmod to FireGL 5200 (using this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/arch.../t-111727.html) but it failed to install (said I wasn't in the default VGA mode even though I uninstalled all the drivers)
-No drivers (default VGASAVE)

Only the last option has worked but obviously there are performance issues. Now I can see my stuff but rotating anything takes forever. Also, vista reinstalls the default ati drivers whenever I restart

Does anyone have any tips or help? I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not looking to assemble a truck or anything, just some relatively simple parts

System stats:
Lenovo T60
Core 2 Duo 2 ghz
2 gb ram
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
Vista Ultimate
(like I said earlier, solidworks worked on an identical dell system that ran XP...)

THANKS!!!

 

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/SystemRequirements.html

What version of SolidWorks are you using? As you can see in the link above, only SolidWorks 2008 and up is compatible with Windows Vista, however all versions have full compatibility with XP.

 

hi thanks for the reply

i'm using 2007.. I guess that's it..

i feel like it should work though because all the features work.. just one silly little background rendering error...

 

Oh wait! Try running it in compatibility mode for XP! Find the executable or shortcut, right-click on it, and select the compatibility mode. It probably won't work, but its worth a shot and there is nothing to lose.

 

Tried it, it worked one time. then i restarted and the same problem appeared