Vista color calibration- everyone having problems?

Just wondering if everyone using Vista is having the same color calibration problems I've been having.

I use spyder2express and vista home premium, using Intel integrated graphics. Using latest drivers from computer manufacturer for video, and latest software for colorimeter, and have applied all Vista updates.

The message appears at startup that its loading the profile, and I seen the screen change slightly. Problem is, I see it change 2-3 times! Not sure if profile loaded correctly.

Then, when I think its loaded correctly, and the screen dims for one of windows messages, when it brightens again the colors have changed.

Going to the startup folder and running the Colorvision startup says its loading profile, but doesn't have any affect on the display. Only way to see the colors change again is to reboot.

Is this a Vista problem, a Colorvision Spyder problem, or an Intel problem?

I've heard numerous reports about this from different sources, using different hardware, so it leads me to believe its a Vista problem. If so, I'm surprised people aren't screaming about this more.... it makes Vista totally unworkable for image editing in a color-managed environment.

davidcrebelxt wrote in post #4004493
the screen dims for one of windows messages, when it brightens again the colors have changed.

From what I've read, at least this one is a Vista problem...

Edit: found it: Click

"Due to Vista's non-handling and mishandling of graphics card calibration curves it is next to impossible for a professional user to be confident that their system is properly calibrated and displaying color correctly. For this reason I do not recommend Vista for professional workflows at this time. When Microsoft addresses the calibration-clobbering bug in a future service pack then I think Vista will make an effective platform for high quality color production."

And off course a few pages of discussion after that...

It's video card ICM issue. The ColorVision installer does not put the profile in the right loading sequence.

there are about 10 threads on this already...

Thanks for the reply Rene.

I'm getting fed up with color-mangement...

First I was using a laptop with an ATI card that (although it let you load profiles, had colormangment tab, etc) it wouldn't actually write the changes to the LUT. That's written off Compaq and ATI for me in the forseeable future.

Now I've upgraded my ancient PIII desktop to a new system with Vista, and Vista loads my profile, but won't leave it alone.

More people should be made aware of this situation, and MS better fix this soon, or even more people will be switching to Macs!... if I could've saved up for another 6 months, maybe I would have done that myself.

In the thread I posted, there seems to be a workaround... Not sure, since a) the thread is quite old and b) I'm on a Mac

If it pisses you off that much, make the profile expire as soon as possible and when you have finished rebooting loading click ok on the ColorVision nag window and it will load last.


Do you reboot THAT much?

cosworth wrote in post #4004556
It's video card ICM issue. The ColorVision installer does not put the profile in the right loading sequence.

there are about 10 threads on this already...

I've heard reports of problems with x-rite and huey too. So what happened, did MS pull the rug out from everyone and leave them all scrambling? And what's taking so long to get it fixed?

I know there's a few threads on it... but this is one of those issues that is just unacceptable. Searching over the internet doesn't reveal it to be the MAJOR issue I expected, either.

[Side Question]
In the Vista control panel Color mangements app... what settings are recommended we use on the second tab, if any?