Wow, you guys are really persistent. :-)
Since I posted a comment in one of the previous discussions about the 915 Graphics Vista driver issue, that I was going to talk to the graphics group about the possibility of releasing an open source and/or "beta" unofficial WDDM driver, to let you at least try to get Aero Glass, Movie Maker, and DVD Maker working in Windows Vista, you've been coming here every day to see/ask if there's been any progress. So here's an update:
I haven't talked to the graphics group yet, because I'm trying to identify the right people to talk to. That's hard in such a big company (Intel has almost 100,000 employees, and I don't work directly with anyone in the Graphics group). But I'm going to find someone, eventually.
Why haven't I posted something sooner? Well, besides the fact that there wasn't any news, I was out of town last week for the MIX07 conference, and there's that whole matter of my job and having actual work to do. ;-) So I'm asking for a little patience on your part.
Also, remember that WINDOWS VISTA WORKS PERFECTLY FINE ON INTEL 915 GRAPHICS. It's just some of the advanced "eye candy" features, like Aero Glass, that don't work without a WDDM driver. To my knowledge, such a driver never existed. The fact that "it worked during the beta!" was due to the fact that Microsoft was allowing XPDM drivers to run the fancy stuff - the hard requirement for a WDDM driver wasn't put in place until later builds of Vista. There is no magical WDDM driver that Intel released during the beta, and subsequently pulled out of existence (someone would have found and hacked a version of that by now if that were the case). There is and only ever was the XPDM driver that exists today.
This isn't a ploy to make you all think that Intel "really cares" (sorry, conspiracy theorists!). I stepped in front of this bus on my own, and I intend to see it through to the end. I'm committed to maintaining transparency throughout the whole thing, too, so as soon as I know the outcome (good or bad), you will too. Stay tuned, and remember, there's NO guarantee or promise that anything will come of this! If the graphics group comes back and says they won't or can't release a WDDM driver for 915, then there's really nothing more we can do. At least we will have tried.
Since I posted a comment in one of the previous discussions about the 915 Graphics Vista driver issue, that I was going to talk to the graphics group about the possibility of releasing an open source and/or "beta" unofficial WDDM driver, to let you at least try to get Aero Glass, Movie Maker, and DVD Maker working in Windows Vista, you've been coming here every day to see/ask if there's been any progress. So here's an update:
I haven't talked to the graphics group yet, because I'm trying to identify the right people to talk to. That's hard in such a big company (Intel has almost 100,000 employees, and I don't work directly with anyone in the Graphics group). But I'm going to find someone, eventually.
Why haven't I posted something sooner? Well, besides the fact that there wasn't any news, I was out of town last week for the MIX07 conference, and there's that whole matter of my job and having actual work to do. ;-) So I'm asking for a little patience on your part.
Also, remember that WINDOWS VISTA WORKS PERFECTLY FINE ON INTEL 915 GRAPHICS. It's just some of the advanced "eye candy" features, like Aero Glass, that don't work without a WDDM driver. To my knowledge, such a driver never existed. The fact that "it worked during the beta!" was due to the fact that Microsoft was allowing XPDM drivers to run the fancy stuff - the hard requirement for a WDDM driver wasn't put in place until later builds of Vista. There is no magical WDDM driver that Intel released during the beta, and subsequently pulled out of existence (someone would have found and hacked a version of that by now if that were the case). There is and only ever was the XPDM driver that exists today.
This isn't a ploy to make you all think that Intel "really cares" (sorry, conspiracy theorists!). I stepped in front of this bus on my own, and I intend to see it through to the end. I'm committed to maintaining transparency throughout the whole thing, too, so as soon as I know the outcome (good or bad), you will too. Stay tuned, and remember, there's NO guarantee or promise that anything will come of this! If the graphics group comes back and says they won't or can't release a WDDM driver for 915, then there's really nothing more we can do. At least we will have tried.
Comments
Chris, the trouble with Linux distributions is that, while the new ones look nice, they are still utterly USELESS in comparison to Windows. I have Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn with Desktop Effects enabled. I'm quite impressed, it does look very good. Linux is good as a tool and to check hardware/make software modifications because of the freedom it gives you in that respect. However, in terms of functionality, Windows comes away gleaming. Linux could be great, if it were just that little bit more user friendly and that little bit more supported worldwide. Getting drivers from some Hardware is just plain NASTY with Linux, you have to go on these dodgy 3rd party sites and half the time the drivers just screw up. It's a fact, MS have the monopoly with their OS's. You get Windows XP for example, liklihood is that everything you try and install (within reason) will work, with or without a necessary patch. Windows also has the best entertainment capabilities, with Vista Premium and beyond coming with Media Centres which are actually quite good now. Linux, while always stable and virus-free, just cannot compete with the sheer functionality of Windows, especially if the word "Computer game" comes into the equation. You have to pay for Cedega just the play SOME PC games on Linux....sorry, but that's just no good.
Personally, i like the idea of Linux having a major rise in the world, in it's use. That would keep MS on it's toes and ensure they keep innovation up and perhaps even prices down. But until Linux broadens out a bit, that's just not happening.
Hey Andy, I completely agree with you. LINUX is not at all user friendly and neither is any other OS except windows. Windows outperforms all others. And Chris, what I think is happening is that, Vista is looking for WDDM Drivers, and since i915 has none, so it blocks Aero. I think, that if Intel provides a beta WDDM Driver for this chipset, then Aero can be enabled.
y ese conductor que van a tirar solo es para la tarjeta de video 915 o servira tambien para la 910gl
please diganme
Intel is Garbage just bought a new laptop with nforce chipset
and graphics and AMD processor, all your complaints are falling on deaf ears ill never buy intel again if i possibly
can they need more competition only then will they start listening to their customers......... well it was nice while it lasted i wont be checking this forum any more good luck to
all of you !!! and thanks josh even if your efforts were futile
Josh was nicely that we give some information how your conversations advance or at least lines 'more nothing boys...are patient more awhile'!
just knocked back a beaut ibm r52 AT a pittance of the new
price because i found it to have that gma 900 graphics engine,instead deciding to stick to the proven p111 recycled machine (rather opting for 945-965-975 chipset machine thus giving in to intell/microsoft manipulation schemes)WHY SHOULD I BOTHER WASTING TIME LOADING DRIVER AFTER DRIVER WITH INFERIOR SUPPORTED 915CHIPSETS IN 2k,XP,2k3 + OR CANNOT EVEN RUN AREO WITH vista ultimate,permium or buisness!
yep,intel screwed up the beaut r52 thinkpads with themsome graphics.(SHAME,SHAME,SHAME)!
not even a stinkin' beta driver implemnting no liability
towards intel or microsoft if one uses that driver
to keep everyone happy,bit scabby of them really.
A Yohansy: Sà, el Intel 910GL seràa cubierto también por los conductores. Contento podràa utilizar mis habilidades espaà±olas para algo ahora :P
At Kris, Intel may have a grey area on this subject, but AMD are by far worse with their CPUs. Btw Nforce is the name of your Chipset not your graphics. You'll likely have Nvidia or ATI graphics. There are perfectly acceptable reasons Intel has given on this matter, on the GMA900 support page.
I don't mind too much. Intel continue to provide excellent products at good prices and to me, that's more than enough to keep me happy, i don't need Intel to hold my hand support wise :P But, indeed, a WDDM driver for this chipset definitely wouldn't go amiss.
First & most important: thanks for your efforts!
I'm surprised how well Vista works on my week 1 Macbook, but, oh! for some pizzazz in looks!
q dicidieron lo van a tirar el driver digan please!!!!!!
GO Intel GO
It's true AMD has completely lost the war with INTEL CPUs and it seems that they have Given in! They lost their brains on the way to the defeat! It seems that AMD's webmasters have completely lost it. And now, directly from AMD's website you can buy an Asus laptop with a mobile Core 2 Duo CPU inside it.Yes!!!Aero comes intel will buy all World if is necessary. All for costumers!
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