Windows Vista Forum / Sidebar & GUI Customization / Vista Multimedia

Open browser-gadgets in Firefox?

chrisscorsese88 — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:45:11 GMT

In some gadgets like compact search, it opens in Firefox, but others (for instance [url=http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=4dbd588c-df24-4b3a-9b77-ea975df18859&bt=1]this[/url] one), it opens in Internet Explorer. How can I make the second one open in Firefox if possible?

Need Help To Fix Boot Logo

Davekyn — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:24:08 GMT

Need Help To Fix Boot Logo
OS…Vista Home Premium/service pack 1

This is the best install I have ever done (or was)…I did a fresh install and followed a tweak guide at http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532 which was to very enlightening, to say the least. From there I have been to a few other sites and moved on to fully customizing my desktop/login and……well…this is where I stuffed up…My BOOT screen no longer works properly, even with the original “winload.exe.mui” file replaced.

I downloaded and used “Vista Boot Logo Generator” I loved the results on my last install…It worked well. Upon deciding to do a fresh install with Tweaking in mind, I simply coppied over a Boot logo I made previously after allowing permissions and all that as well as changing the NO GUI in msconfig…ect….BUT

The problem is as follows:……..The original auora background comes up?...and without the Windows is Loading Text???......I mean wtf…I just moved and replaced the original file and I get this on reboot. I have tried making more logos but everytime I restart the same thing. I have disable and re-enabled the boot gui option in msconfig…even putting back the original file does not get it working properly as the loading text is gone from that pic???

Is it something I stuffed up with permissions…or some service I tweaked? I would love to fix the problem without reloading as I have put so much effort in thus far…

Any Ideas would be great…I will try them all!

3d art dreamscene

serdarcamlica — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:23:48 GMT

[center]my new 3d art Dreamscene

[url=http://3dfiction.com][img]http://3dfiction.com/news/49/fractal04.jpg[/img][/url]

i hope you liked

serdar camlica

[url=http://3dfiction.com]http://3dfiction.com[/url][/center]

Nice Folder Gadget! Very Useful & Speedy!

Jason — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:25:02 GMT

Want to quickly fling files into their correct folders? Download the free Magic Folder Gadget - this creates a virtual folder into which you drag files. You can dump them all in a single folder, or set it up to move them to a specific location based on their file type.

The Magic Folder Gadget turns your sidebar into a drop-off point for files

Customize Vista Basic Theme

maestrooscuro — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:08:27 GMT

On my notebook, my main machine, I can't run Aero, but would like to change the colour of the Vista Basic theme. Does anybody know if there's a registry entry or something like that that would allow me to change it?

Virtual pc 2007

VistaRocks — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:11:44 GMT

I believe this would go into this catagory.

Running Virtual PC 2007 on Windows Vista

Anyone who has tried Virtual PC 2004 on Windows Vista knows that the experience can leave something to be desired. But today, from the hard working folks on the Virtual PC Team, we have Virtual PC 2007.

Virtual PC 2007 was optimized for using Windows Vista as the host operating system, allowing you to run multiple operating systems on a single PC and have an excellent experience doing so. Virtual PC 2007 has also been optimized for Windows Vista running as the guest operating system as well. Here it is running on one of my Windows Vista boxes:

Virtual PC 2007 can be a huge asset to business users. Many businesses have custom applications that are designed to run in a specific environment, and upgrading a PC to Windows Vista may break those custom applications. With VPC2007, business users can enjoy the upgrade to Windows Vista without to having to give up access to those custom or proprietary applications. Instead, custom apps are accessible in their native (albeit virtual) environment, exactly as you remember them.

Download: Virtual PC 2007

View: Complete article

LogonStudio Vista 1.0

Island Dog — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:39:05 GMT

LogonStudio made it easy to change your logon screen in XP, now you can do the same thing in Windows Vista. It's simple to apply logon screens you have downloaded, and you can make your own by simply dragging an image into the configuration windows.

Download (freeware): [url=http://www.logonstudio.com]Link[/url]

Screenshot: [url=http://www.stardock.com/products/logonstudio/LogonStudioOverview.jpg]Link[/url]

:)

New Helpful Vista Gadgets Downloads

Devram — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 01:27:31 GMT

Welcome to my thread this are New windows Vista Gadget and Sidebars
Hope this could help you all.
Thank you!!!

Wait for more!!!

Vista Orb Clock
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E2RY47S1

utorrent Search Bar
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L0MDGS9W

Battery life Stat
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SXFIOKI6

Weather Report
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SH3FUSVS

Internet Search Gadget
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X6X5CHQ8

Easy Shutdown, Restart and Computer Lock
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GTWHP8JE

Super Search Bar ( FireFox)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PJJ62C8Q

Yahoo World News
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BJ8W7MIA

Wireless Network Stat Bar
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KYYH735K

Internet Domain Navigator
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GTWHP8JE

Best Gadgets

King_Alpaca — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:25:06 GMT

Hey everyone,

I recently got a new laptop. It came with vista and I was wondering what sidebar gadgets does everyone like/use?

[url=http://www.hiup.com/page_toplist.php?id=111]cast your vote for your favorite gadgets here[/url]

-Thanks

How to add an image to the network login

arlab — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:31:18 GMT

How can I add an image to the small square of this type of login:

[img]http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/image179.png[/img]

Can anyone help me? Thanks.

[url=http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/enable-ubuntu-style-logons-in-windows-vista/]Here's how I got this login[/url].

Disappearing Menu Bar

newsomer — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:58:53 GMT

Hello, I'm new to Vista and new to these forums. I have a strange problem that I am not sure will have a solution but I'll be glad for any input.

I am running Vista on a new laptop using a port replicator allowing me to connect to my old desktop's LCD monitor so I get an expanded desktop. In addition to that I am using a four port KVM. That all works fine but the problem is if I run the laptop using Aero and I use the KVM to switch the second monitor, keyboard, and mouse to another computer my menu bar goes completely transparent except for the upper edge and the start button. I can still access the toolbars and program icons but I have to find them by hovering and reading the pop up tag. They still work I just can't see them. If I set the laptop to use standard theme settings (anything but Aero) the menu bar is fine.

Anyone else have a similar problem with Aero?

Album Icons in Vista

Toxin — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:26:22 GMT

Does anyone know if its possible to display JUST the album art as the icon for an album folder, instead of the icon of an album being a folder with the album art coming out? The new folder icons in vista are annoying, the old XP icons with the album art on the front were fine...
Any help would be appreciated :)

Flip 3d Button

babyb — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:44:13 GMT

Ok so after a bit of use, I've decided I quite like this new Flip 3D feature. (WIN+Tab)
It's nicer than the ALT-TAB and I find that sometime with ALT-Tab it's difficult to decide which winow is which.
Anyway I've loist the icon from my taskbar and can't figure out how to re-instate it.
Anyone know how or where to put this back?

[img]http://www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsvista/images/features/kb_bov_flip3d3.jpg[/img]

New vista customized visual theme!

Jason — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:44:46 GMT

Guys have been working on improving the non-aero theme. From the looks of it it is a big improvment over stock.

[img]http://blogs.technet.com/photos/blog_photo_gallery/images/440503/original.aspx[/img]

Check it out w/ more screenshots:
[url]http://blogs.technet.com/windowsvista/archive/2006/07/06/440510.aspx[/url]

Dual Monitor Wallpaper?

bccsrc — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:34:36 GMT

I hope this is in the correct place.

Does anyone know how to setup Dual Monitor wall paper? I actually have 3 monitors and I want to stretch the wallpaper across all three like in windows XP.

Thanks,

Brandon

Newbie Vista User, Have a couple questions.

Mysticle31 — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:25:46 GMT

Hello guys,

I'm a new Vista user. I've been having some issues with it thought, besides just needing more ram ;) I set at 80% usage just typing this message.

1) I use a program called BeyondTV as my DVR app. When I start it windows will switch from Aero to Basic. Is there any way to force it not to?

I do not understand the love affair with Aero glass, so I disabled that. The only two things I like about the Aero interface are the pop up thumbnails of the program and flip 3d. That's all I want. Well, I do like the different look to the X, max, and min buttons to, but would happily live without them.

I also would like to install Vista on my Tablet, which does not have a graphics card good enough to support Aero. Can I trick it in to getting these features? It wouldn't bother me if it took some time to load.

I've read this article on Kam VedBrat's blog.
(http://blogs.msdn.com/kamvedbrat/archive/2006/04/02/566788.aspx)
I'm not familiar enough with video card hardware to understand the front buffer, and what it means to lock it. Any good reading tips? Articles online?

2) If I do have disable Aero, I would like to find a nice black theme that would have a close color to Aero graphite on full color intensity.

3) I cant make the quick launch appear for the life of me. I like one button to click to get the process switcher and show desktop. Perhaps I deleted the contents of the quick launch folder on accident, where is it on Vista?

4) Every time a download finishes in Firefox, or a pop up in the taskbar, it steals focus from this window and I can't keep typing :)

Any suggestions? I plan to poke around on here a little bit.

desktop icons

megagold5 — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:13:01 GMT

I have vista on 1024x768 screen and for some reason the desktop icons are about 4 times the size they were in xp, is it ment to be like this? thanks.

Glow in window borders

rakris — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:01:39 GMT

I want to enable Glowing in window borders... like a thin white light..
is it possible...Because i saw a third party theme which has Glowing white borders....:D

live gallery problems

blackhat — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 05:12:52 GMT

for some reason I can't acces galery.live.com, live spaces, etc
when I try to acces the page it doesn't work

I've tried this with both IE and firefox

any solutions (or are those m$ guys working on something)

Where's the 3D alt+tab application in Vista?

SwiftImmortal_1 — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:16:41 GMT

One of the most intriguing features in Vista for me was the 3D application switcher...where is it? I have a copy of Vista Ultimate and I can't seem to find the option to turn it on :blink:

Offical VistaForums.com Topic Ticker Gadget!

Jason — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:19:58 GMT

V1.1 is now available for download. Fixed the Year 2007 bug along with adding an extra post to the list. Plans for a v2.0 coming up soon which will have more features.

Download Now!

Install Directions:

Once you have downloaded the .zip file:

Open the file
Extract to the following directory: "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets" Replace "C" with whatever the drive letter is in which you installed Vista on.
Once extracted if you navigate to that folder you will now see a folder named "VistaForumsV1.Gadget" along w/ the other .gadget folders.
Your Done!
Just go to your sidebar, right click > "Add Gadget". And scroll down until you see the Vista Forums gadget, right click and drag it over to the sidebar.

Enjoy.

Windows+G to show sidebar

davidrools — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 23:35:23 GMT

The sidebar is really convenient to see but ordinarily doesn't show up until you minimize everything or show your desktop (windows+D or windows+M, BTW). Windows+S doesn't show the Sidebar, but Windows+G (for Gadgets?). I thought it ought to show up when you move your mouse all the way to the right, like if you put your taskbar to Auto Hide, but that's not the case. Many of you have probably already found this shortcut but if not, its pretty useful, especially as we add more and more useful gadgets.

Cheers,
davidrools

Aero VS

Durandal_22 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:02:41 GMT

Hey Can Someone Upload the Original Windows Aero VS?

I Apologise if This is not the appropriate place to pst this. im new here

I had to do it

Jason — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:27:30 GMT

W/ my nagging need for performance I resorted to disabling the sidebar. Saves me a good few megs of ram!

I need all I can get on this laptop. I did notice a sig improvment in bootup time thats for sure. I suggest anyone w/ a slow PC to do this. And just turn on the sidebar when you need it, don't have it start at boot.

Vista uptime

vijaykillu — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:33:24 GMT

I would like to know the uptime of my system. I am using Windows Vista beta1. None of the tools available on the internet work. Can somebody help me?

aero theme in vista basic

WindozBaby — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:34:43 GMT

I'm running vista basic and I'm not at all happy with the default vista theme. It' really really ugly.

I dont want to upgrade to premium because I don't need the extra features(just aero).

So is there any way to add new themes? I understand that objectdesk(I think that's what it's called) will let you change themes but I don't want anything running to just change the looks of things.

is there any other alternatives(even if it's just a better non aero theme)?

thank you

Multiple backgrounds on multi-monitor systems

sshrum — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:35:40 GMT

Since Vista doesn't support any Active Desktop-like features (like XP), it's currently not possible to display separate images on all your screens...you end up having to look at the same image on all your displays.

I've written an app called [i]Vistas[/i] that allows you to to define images for each display or you can select 1 image and panoramic it (stretch it across all displays).

Once you have a desktop defined, Vistas allows you to save it to a profile (*.vistas) so you can setup other desktops to save to profiles for easier loading later.

Full details, source, and binaries can be found here: [url]http://www.shrum.net/code/vistas[/url]

Here are a couple of my desktops using Vistas:

[img]http://www.vistaforums.com/Forum/Attachment43.aspx[/img]

[img]http://www.vistaforums.com/Forum/Attachment44.aspx[/img]

[img]http://www.vistaforums.com/Forum/Attachment45.aspx[/img]

Installation of Setup on Vista

bharath-k — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:08:24 GMT

Hi everybody,

When I run a setup on vista, it is showing the following error. It works perfectly on XP. If anybody has come across similar problem, Pls help.

The error is as follows:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: propglue.exe
Application Version: 12.0.1.161
Application Timestamp: 452c8925
Fault Module Name: ntdll.dll
Fault Module Version: 6.0.5744.16384
Fault Module Timestamp: 452358e5
Exception Code: c0150002
Exception Offset: 000089f3
OS Version: 6.0.5744.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 9d13
Additional Information 2: 1abee00edb3fc1158f9ad6f44f0f6be8
Additional Information 3: 9d13
Additional Information 4: 1abee00edb3fc1158f9ad6f44f0f6be8

Read our privacy statement:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=50163&clcid=0x0409

The error in eventviewer is as follows:

faulting module ntdll.dll, version 6.0.5744.16384, time stamp 0x452358e5, exception code 0xc0150002, fault offset 0x000089f3, process id 0xad4, application start time 0x01c6eddacd528727.

TIA,

Regards,

bharath .k

How to remove control panel icons in vista?

falcon26 — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 11:36:44 GMT

Is their a reg hack to remove control panel icons in vista? I don't want to download any software, I just want a simple reg hack if that's possible.

Thanks

Offical Gadget Download Thread

Jason — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:30:31 GMT

Post only downloads to gadgets in this topic and nothing else to keep it clean.

5384_Launcher.Gadget.zip

BF2SV.Gadget.rar Battle Field 2 Stats viewer

NASA TV Gadget

Version Number: 1.0.0.5384
Author(s): Jolhof
Date of Release: May 28, 2006

Screenshot

Download: NASATV.Gadget ( 88.53k ) Number of downloads: 87

Source: Jolhof of AeroXp.com

Icons Appearing Under The Sidebar

beertruckz — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 05:02:38 GMT

When you have the Sidebar displayed on the left side of your screen and a file is created on your desktop Windows puts it under the sidebar. Has anybody figured out a way to stop this from happening, aside from moving it back to the right side of the screen??

Vista Operating System Start-Up

rwamser — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:15:16 GMT

How do you Bypass the Operating System Startup Screen ?? That is VISTA asks if you want to boot-Up With VISTA and then the Time clock starts. Since I am Only Running VISTA I would like to Bypass this screen. Any Idea as to how to do IT ???

Vista Sidebar

schke1 — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:13:53 GMT

I accidentally delted the slide show gadget. I have looked online and cannot find it anywehre. I still have it as a different user on my machine, but the other used does notget it as an option.

Does anyone know where I can get the Slide Show or how to direct it to the current on my PC?

Vista Ultimate Extras

WeirdClayJisKOOL — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:15:24 GMT

Does anyone know if ultimate extras are available for download? according to microsoft there are three of them (http://windowsultimate.com/Blogs/Extras/Default.aspx) however when i go to extras (through windows update) it says there are none

How to disable the sidebar

Jason — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:44:29 GMT

For whatever reason if you want to disable to sidebar:

To disable this, right click on the sidebar or sidebar icon, and choose properties:

Uncheck the “Start Sidebar when Windows starts” checkbox:

Then right-click on the icon, and choose Exit to close the sidebar:

howtogeek.com

Turning XP Into Vista

Jason — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 12:21:02 GMT

1) Download a visual style based on Vista, such as VistaXP.
2) Get some icons to replace the current XP ones, from a site such as Vista Icons. (Not sure how to inject these into the DLL files though...anyone? )
3) Get some Vista wallpapers. Pretty much just Google something like "Vista Wallpapers" and you'll come up with them. Or you could get your own closeup high res images of grass or plants.
4) Play around. You can find themes for Firefox, Winamp, Windows Media Player, etc. Try a site such as devaintART for more.

There are programs available, such as the Vista Transformation Pack, however unless you don't mind breaking your XP install, or are planning to leave it like that until you next reinstall XP, I'd stay well away from stuff like that.

Vista Install problems

Richard C Dumas — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:01:34 GMT

Computer Consultant Richard C.Dumas says

For several days I have been testing The new Windows Vista Beta software package on my brand new HP Pavillion dv5020us laptop with 1.99GHz and 1022MG of RAM- AMD Turion 64 Mobile ML-37 3DNow 2.0GHz processor and ATI RADEON Xpress 200 series 128. MB Mem video - I had intended to use this Beta version for evaluation purposes until it is released to the public with a sched date of just after Jan for home versions however,

After only four days of use I have reverted back to Windows XP Pro for the following reasons- the file which is 3.5 GB took 2 hrs and 15 min on the first install as an UPGRADE install which means it saved my programs presently used. I found that there are more bugs in the program than Raid Roach Hotels- I suffered many crashes w/o reason and most of the software carried over corrupted so it wouldnt work properly or at all- therefore after fighting it for two solid days and nights I reinstalled it the second time . This time as a CLEAN install that automatically included a new folder created called WINDOWS OLD in which all my current programs and existing files were put into, inc the entire contents of the C Drive- This install took 1 hr and 25 min. However, virtually none of the internal hardware drivers were installed and therefore inoperative until I found a source for all of them and manually reinstalled them. Then I proceeded to reinstall the very few basic programs I was using before this second install. This whole proceedure took a total of MORE THAN 8 hours and still had some small items to fine tune- A major problem with this install also was that I had no use for anything they saved in that new OLD folder having completely backed up my system. The prob being that there was no way to get it to the trash bin or delete it. I seemed to be able to get rid of most of the files individually until the folder showed empty. However when I tried to get rid of the folder Windows kept showing that it was trying to empty out almost 7GB from an EMPTY folder. After waiting several minutes for this ODOMETER to keep clicking away, I also got an error mesa that I didnt have PERMISSION to do this despite the fact I am and ADMINISTRATOR. If that isnt confusing enough every single move or change you make goes into a new folder called Recent Changes . The result is that somehow all those 7000 files I thought I had deleted were somewhere still in limbo causing my HD to show 40GB of used space with the identical previously installed stuff under XP showing 16GB. I never did figure out how to get rid of that extra almost 40GB on the HD.
The Vista program uses entirely new and unfamiliar ICONS which takes some time to get used to-- The familiar "Run" command found in the "Start" part used by so many advanced users was no longer to be found there and w/o documentation to tell me otherwise took almost two days to find in under TASK MANAGER which also had had some changes made to its pop up window- Task Mg is still accessed by Ctl-Alt-Del- after which a new wavy blue screen takes over the desktop and offers the viewer several choices-
MY DOCUMENTS has now been replaced with simply DOCUMENTS which is also a little confusing due too the fact it contains some new catagories and a new face.

The process of refeshing upon opening each folder to see its contents is extremely slow while U wait for a new green bar to traverse across the whole top of the file folder similiar to the familiar sliding install bar on so many install programs, and if you have multiple files in seperate folders within the original folder you have to wait the whole thing out again each time it opens the more inner folders , something Windows XP did in almost an instant.

Most disappointing is the number of new software and drivers avail to run on Vista- espectally the new technology 64 bit version which are almost non existant, so I used the 32 more normal and universally used at present. After four days of nothing but pure struggle I determined that there are presently only two Internet Security programs that have been written for, and will work with, Vista, products from Trend Micro and Computer Assoc. I used the Trend product and got an error mesa after every boot that said it had an internal problem and had to shut down. I never got around to the Computer Assoc product. Norton NIS and Anti Virus from 2003 to 2006 will not work with Vista. I also found that although Acronis True Image, which is the backup prog I presently use, loads OK, however when you try to do a complete hard drive backup it crashes halfway through the pre setup of the task. My present Internet Accelerator DAP or Download Accel Prog was unable to be loaded, running into an inability to open a certain file in System 32 halfway thru the install. The same problem occurred when I tried to install NERO 7 upon which one of its components INCD is vital if Acronis is to be used in any backup of the system w/o which Acronis cant function. Hence a double wammy, my BSPlayer which is only one of several video players that I use worked , however I would have had to turn my computer display upside down to watch the picture. Pretty wierd. That however was solved with a newer version. A MS WINDOWS DEFENDER program that detects mal and spy software but not virus's is included in Vista however I discovered that it creates a system restore point almost every time your eyelashes blink causing extreme memory space to be used up on the HD. UGH! PERFECT DISK which is the program I use to defrag my HD could not be installed. It put out an error mesa and simply said in an honest sentance it was not designed for this operating system that it was being loaded on. Since NERO couldnt be installed that also wiped out another video product that I continue to evaluate, Nero ShowTime.

One of the most fustrating experiences came when I tried to do a simple burn/copy to a CW-RW and found that no matter what type of CD got inserted into the drive it HAD TO BE FORMATTED. A process that took approx 6 min by default with Vista. However then I started to get several types of error messages that I couldnt comprehend because they are using a lot of newly developed english words to describe problems and circumstances with this new program. Suffice it to say that I never did, after two days of trying , learn to burn / copy anything to a CD by either clicking and dragging or using the Copy and Paste or any other method so encouraged by Vista and familiar in XP . The task was ultimately accomplished by using another piece of software by SONIC called my DVD which I use to burn those magnicifient pieces of technology and will also copy to a CD. Burning DVD's proved no problem.

Microsoft has dozens of tasks which they ask you to preform with the Beta version and send the input of the resulting experiences back to them. However I feel that it would be almost impossible to accomplish those tasks being that after four days and nights spent plugging up one after another leak, as fast as one could be repaired another would pop up, the time all spent just to try to get back to where I could do something normal with my computer let alone test the dozens and dozens of pieces of software I have, would be fruitless. So after these four days instead of six months I have thrown in the towel and reverted back to Windows XP Pro which I have figured out how to install without SP2, making it half the size and twice as fast. I will wait until at least six months after its official release and maybe then some, until they empty out the Raid and Black Flag creatures and I would suggest the same be done by anyone else chomping at the bit to dive in to the new Vista.

Oh! by the way . You will no longer see the "Blue Screen of Death" it has now been upgraded to being "BLACK"

Dick

Fade Effect for Xp Sidebar

Jason — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:24:24 GMT

FadeSkin.zip

Download and implement the files.

How to run Vista Sidebar on Xp

Jason — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:23:13 GMT

You need Rafael's patch, and for the sidebar files you can only get those if you have Vista yourself and installed. You just need to copy them over.

Currently sidebar 5384 won't run on XP but lower builds will.

Vista Sidebar 6.0.5342.02 Patch, for non-Vista platforms

Jason — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:21:17 GMT

Download: Mirror 01 (new!)
Download: Mirror 01 // Mirror 02

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I just replace the Vista.Emulation.dll from revision 0 to upgrade to revision 1?
A. Yes.

Q. How do I work around the "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0150002). Click on OK to terminate the application." issue?
A. As ZoRoNaX and I use Visual Studio 2005, I believe this issue has to do with new system libraries we're linking against. Apologies. Try installing the .Net Framework (v2.0).

Q. The Launcher gadget causes an error and crashes Sidebar.
A. Use revision 1.

Q. The Slideshow gadget settings pane seems to be broken! How do I fix it?
A. ZoRoNaX noticed and fixed this. Replace the code in settings.html with this code.

Q. Can Vista.Emulation.dll be shared by different Sidebar executables?
A. Probably but it's an unsupported configuration.

Q. Where do I put the Gadgets/Gadgets folder?
A. If you were a legitimate Vista beta tester, you would have copied the Windows Sidebar folder in its entirety, which contains a Gadgets folder in the directory containing the executable. Inside this folder, there are .Gadget folders containing the gadget information. Old parts are not compatible.

Q. I ran the patch and now I get an error (not a valid Win32 application). WTFO?
A. You likely failed to read the version number on the patch, topic, readme, etc. and tried to patch an incorrect or altered version. Try again.

Q. I added a bad gadget and now I can't start Sidebar. How do I fix this?
A. Delete the C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar folder.

Q. Why are things white, miscoloured, etc.?
A. The Sidebar team decided to switch from using their own internal layout engine to relying on Internet Explorer's rendering. Because Internet Explorer 6.x fails to render the PNG alpha channels correctly, gadgets using such PNGs are affected. You can alter the gadget's HTML/JS to render such PNGs using DirectX alpha transformation (or upgrade to Internet Explorer 7 beta).

Q. I receive "The ordinal 60 could not be located in the dynamic link library ATL.DLL"! How do I fix this?
A. Your ATL.dll is old or very new. We'll try to find a more general ordinal for the next patch but for now, just copy ATL.dll from an XP machine into the same folder as Sidebar.exe.

Q. How do I get Sidebar gadgets working on non-English locale systems?
A1. Each gadget has an IETF language tag-named folder. In this case, all of them are en-US. You may want to rename these to the proper tag for your system (or easier, see A2). You can guess or execute this small executable (.net 2.0). Source code here.

A2. Move everything out of the IETF tag-named folder into the root of the gadget's folder (and optionally delete en-US) - ZoRoNaX

Q. My clock gadget settings page has white text. My eyes hurt! How do I fix this?
A. Assumptions on how the window would look on Microsoft's part cause this problem. Open worldClock.Gadget\<lang>\styles\setting.css and remove all color:#FFFFFF; references.

Source: AeroXP.com