I fixed my own problem!
I used System Restore, set for a few days before messing with the printer,
and there was Windows Aero! There was already some HP printer software on the
computer, maybe from previous attempts (there had been a few), and when I
selected "Add another device" (or something to that effect), it simply reset
the network connection for the printer, which is wireless.
So now I have the wireless printer connected AND Windows Aero back! It looks
so pretty now!
"JT12" wrote:
> The Windows Aero style has disappeared from my Vista Home Premium. I've had
> this computer for 4 months, and Aero has been displayed without any problems
> until two days ago, when I was trying to resolve a fatal error in installing
> a printer software. I went through two online chats with tech support, doing
> questionably complicated work with editing registries and whatnot, before I
> finally called tech support and had the problem resolved through remote
> access. However, now Aero is disabled and I only see the boring Vista Basic
> style.
>
> My computer meets or exceeds all of the minimum hardware requirements to
> display Aero. **I have tried everything recommended in troubleshooting to fix
> this** - set color to 32-bit, set monitor refresh rate to the highest
> possible (60 Hz), refresh Windows Experience Score, etc. - but Aero hasn't
> been restored. It still exists as a file in the "Themes" file folder, but the
> Aero option in the appearance settings is gone.
>
> Is there something more technical about Aero that could have been messed
> with and could be fixed to restore Aero?