A while back I built a computer for a workmate. He opted to get Vista Home Premium.
I noticed once i had installed it that the desktop and the features I expected (for example taskbar thumbnails etc) were not working. Its like when your desktop changes to basic when running an old programme. At first I thought it was the onboard graphics on the motherboard and pursuaded him to purchase a proper card. He got an Nvidia 8600GT 512mb. I installed it yesterday and fired up vista. The exact same thing is happening.

So why is this? Is home premium simple not made to use this feature? Is it ultimate only? Or am I doing something wrong?

I use ultimate so I couldnt really suggest anything to him.

Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate have the Aero interface and the taskbar thumbnails. I would update the drivers for the graphics card and see if that fixes it.

+1 Update all drivers. It might help.

I downloaded the latest drivers for the Nvidia card and still nothing. Because I only really see him at work, I cant really do testing to see what the problem is. The only other thing I can update is the motherboard drivers. But thats all I can think of.

Make sure you have all drivers as stated above then check if you're running the Windows Vista Aero theme and not the Basic one.

Hi

* Make Sure AERO Is In Use (Theme)
* Right Click On TaskBar, Select Properties & Make Sure "Show window previews (thumbnails)" is ticked

Thanks

Had this problem also. Some app disabled Aero temporary, but it stayed that way. I used some utility from neowin forum that restored it. Vista Glass or something

+1, or ALSO right click my computer, properties then advanced system settings (on left hand side).
Go to "Settings" Under performance section (first of the three), and make sure that "Enable transparant glass" is enabled...or just make sure that everything is ticked. Press OK and you may need to restart.

Wow... someone actually +1'd my response >.>