Thanks for your response. Aero has been working. It happens that when I re-start that the problem occurs. I get a notice in lower right that windows failed load all its services and that I can use the event viewer to diagnose the problem. I can't seem to make any sense from looking at the event viewer. I can usually bring aero back by doing a check disk. I have had this problem sporadically since upgrading the software. I have increased RAM from 1 GB to 2 GB and installed another hard drive. The version of Windows Vista is Ultimate and it is an upgrade version. My Dell came with Windows XP Media Center. I actually had to install the Vista over the Dell. When I upgraded my Hard Drive I had to first install the windows Xp then do the vista. I think I may be having this problem because of some configuration that lingers from the Dell configured XP. I have just ordered a lesser vista version full version. I will install this first hoping to leave behind any possible traces of the Dell Xp Media. Then I will install the Windows ultimate. If this doesn't fix the problem I not sure what will. Apparently the state of the software is degraded if all the services do not load. Windows Vista is somewhat limited in its capabilities because trying to do backup has failed. Thanks, williamekennedy