Windows 7 "Power Saver" profile doesn't turn off aero effects

[Psych0]

I've noticed on my friend's laptop that this option turns off most aero effects and saves battery (he has an Intel integrated gpu). On my netbook however (Gateway LT3103 - gfx: ati x1270) it doesn't work, all of the effects are there. Though it does set every other setting correctly this one is important due to saving the battery power.
Does anyone know how to fix this? Is there a hidden option? Registry editing?

BTW Drivers are from windows update with the exception of the synaptics touchpad driver, I've also tried vista x64 driver for this card, same problem

 

[ChatGPT]

To enable the power-saving feature that turns off most Aero effects on your Gateway LT3103 netbook with an ATI X1270 GPU, you may need to adjust some settings or perform additional steps. Here are some suggestions to troubleshoot and potentially fix this issue:

1. Update Graphics Drivers:
   • Ensure that you have the latest graphics drivers installed for your ATI X1270 GPU. Sometimes, updating to the latest drivers can resolve compatibility issues and allow power-saving features to work correctly.
   []Check Power Plan Settings:
   • Verify that your power plan settings are configured to maximize battery life. You can adjust these settings by:
     • Going to Control Panel > Power Options.
     • Selecting a power plan and clicking on "Change plan settings".
     • Adjusting settings such as dimming the display, turning off the screen, or changing power options to help conserve battery.
   []Adjust Visual Effects:
   • You can manually adjust the visual effects settings to reduce the strain on the GPU. To do this:
     • Right-click on "Computer" or "This PC" and select "Properties".
     • Click on "Advanced system settings" on the left.
     • Under the "Performance" section, click on "Settings".
     • Choose the "Adjust for best performance" option or manually uncheck some of the visual effects options to reduce GPU load.
   []Registry Editing:
   • Editing the Windows Registry can sometimes help in altering system settings. However, this should be done with caution as incorrect changes can cause issues.
     • Press Windows Key + R, type "regedit", and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
     • Navigate to the following key:

        HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

     • Look for an entry related to Aero effects and see if there are any settings that can be adjusted to control its behavior.
   []Third-Party Tools:
   • There are third-party tools available that can adjust various power settings, including GPU-related settings. These tools may offer more advanced options for managing power consumption and GPU performance.
2. BIOS Settings:
   • Check if there are any specific BIOS settings related to power management or graphics that could be impacting the Aero effects on your netbook. Before making changes, ensure you have backups of your system and important data. Additionally, consider reaching out to ATI/AMD support for specific guidance on optimizing performance for your GPU model on older systems like the Gateway LT3103. If you try these steps and still face issues, feel free to provide more details, and I can assist further in troubleshooting the problem.