Windows Server 2003

Bairman · 07-08-2004, 09:01 PM

I used to run Serenescreen Aquarium v1.1 on Windows 2000 Server and had no problems. I've since reloaded the exact same box with Windows Server 2003 and now the aquarium runs but the bubble column is frozen. I remember briefly having that problem under W2K Server, and upgrading to the latest video driver corrected the problem, but not so with 2K3. Does anyone know if there is some graphics functionality in W2K Server that was removed in 2K3 that could be causing the problem? The simple solution would be to disable the bubble column, but I rather like it. Any ideas?

Surferminn · 07-08-2004, 10:32 PM

Hi Bairman -- Just wanted to say welcome to the forum. Someone will be along with the answer to your question.

Minn

patscarr · 07-08-2004, 10:38 PM

Well, if you have upgraded your video card drivers, my next guess would be to make sure you are running DX9.

feldon34 · 07-09-2004, 01:47 AM

If you have an older video card, you can try scaling back the resolution and/or color depth of the Aquarium.

Fire up the Aquarium and press SPACE to bring up Settings. Set the color to "16-bit" and try that. If that doesn't fix it, try a resolution lower than "Desktop Resolution".

Bairman · 07-10-2004, 08:18 PM

Thanks to both for the help, but those things have been done to no avail. I'm guessing that MS has changed something in 2K3 Server that prevents Serenescreen from operating correctly. After all, it's a server OS and not necessarily designed to run such programs. But it would be nice to get it to work. If I find a solution I'll be sure and post it. Thanks again.

Bairman · 07-11-2004, 09:03 PM

I found the solution! Some DirectX features are disabled by default in Windows Server 2003. Upon running dxdiag, I found that Direct3D acceleration and AGP Texture acceleration were enabled, but DirectDraw acceleration was not. Once I enabled it... presto! I got my aquarium back!

Socrates · 07-11-2004, 11:44 PM

2K3 was touted as the first product from MS under their new (alleged) "security first" attitude.

They decided to start making it so that all optional features are off at installation. The idea being that instead of going through the machine at install and turning things off, you would go through and turn things on instead.

It means that at install the product will have many of it's features totally diabled.

Electronic Punk · 07-14-2004, 03:27 AM

And what CPU usage does the screensaver use on this system?

Bairman · 07-14-2004, 06:24 AM

Negligible. There's no impact on normal server operation, but bear in mind this is a home network with light traffic.

07-08-2004, 09:01 PM	#1
Bairman Registered Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	Windows Server 2003 I used to run Serenescreen Aquarium v1.1 on Windows 2000 Server and had no problems. I've since reloaded the exact same box with Windows Server 2003 and now the aquarium runs but the bubble column is frozen. I remember briefly having that problem under W2K Server, and upgrading to the latest video driver corrected the problem, but not so with 2K3. Does anyone know if there is some graphics functionality in W2K Server that was removed in 2K3 that could be causing the problem? The simple solution would be to disable the bubble column, but I rather like it. Any ideas? -- Bairman

07-08-2004, 10:38 PM	#3
patscarr Pet Shark Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Back in Buffalo Posts: 5,455	Well, if you have upgraded your video card drivers, my next guess would be to make sure you are running DX9. Patrick

07-09-2004, 01:47 AM	#4
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,938	If you have an older video card, you can try scaling back the resolution and/or color depth of the Aquarium. Fire up the Aquarium and press SPACE to bring up Settings. Set the color to "16-bit" and try that. If that doesn't fix it, try a resolution lower than "Desktop Resolution". "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

07-10-2004, 08:18 PM	#5
Bairman Registered Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	Thanks to both for the help, but those things have been done to no avail. I'm guessing that MS has changed something in 2K3 Server that prevents Serenescreen from operating correctly. After all, it's a server OS and not necessarily designed to run such programs. But it would be nice to get it to work. If I find a solution I'll be sure and post it. Thanks again. -- Bairman

07-11-2004, 09:03 PM	#6
Bairman Registered Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	I found the solution! Some DirectX features are disabled by default in Windows Server 2003. Upon running dxdiag, I found that Direct3D acceleration and AGP Texture acceleration were enabled, but DirectDraw acceleration was not. Once I enabled it... presto! I got my aquarium back! -- Bairman

07-08-2004, 10:32 PM	#2
Surferminn Senior Puddle Jumper Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 6,017	Hi Bairman -- Just wanted to say welcome to the forum. Someone will be along with the answer to your question. Minn

07-11-2004, 11:44 PM	#7
Socrates Sage Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 1,529	2K3 was touted as the first product from MS under their new (alleged) "security first" attitude. They decided to start making it so that all optional features are off at installation. The idea being that instead of going through the machine at install and turning things off, you would go through and turn things on instead. It means that at install the product will have many of it's features totally diabled. Bat rays? We don't need no stinking bat rays!

07-14-2004, 03:27 AM	#8
Electronic Punk Twisted Animator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Stone Henge Posts: 39	And what CPU usage does the screensaver use on this system?

07-14-2004, 06:24 AM	#9
Bairman Registered Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	Negligible. There's no impact on normal server operation, but bear in mind this is a home network with light traffic. -- Bairman