Windows Vista Forum / Sidebar & GUI Customization / Vista Multimedia

Orb clock gadget doesn't tell time

grendel25 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:12:18 GMT

I downloaded and installed the Orb Clock gadget on my sidebar. The hands don't move, and clicking on it gives no options. Maybe there are no options, but the big problem is that the hands don't move! The system clock itself is fine. I've uninstalled it and reinstalled the orb clock from the gadgets website, rebooted the machine, etc, but still get the same result -- time stands still.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Desktop Window Manager does not save selected solid colour background when Windows restarts

davejauger — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:42:49 GMT

I have an HP HDX18-1180ca notebook running Vista Home Premium 64 bit. I have a problem with the desktop window manager not retaining a solid background colour when I restart windows. I have various types of backgrounds such as images, solid and animated. Most times, especially at night I prefer to have a basic solid black background. I change the background to black, all is fine no matter how long my system is running. But when I shut down or restart and windows is booted the background reverts back to a silver/grey background. If I choose any of my animated or image backgrounds they are always retained and will appear as they were before windows was shut down.
So only the solid black colour is not being retained, does anyone know why this is so?
Is this an inherent flaw in Vista or do I have a problem elsewhere within my system?

I would love to have the solid black background remain my default background with the option to change it whenever.

Is there a fix?

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

Costumization Sites

BladeRunner — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:38:03 GMT

Sites: Customization
High Definition Wallpapers: http://www.hdwallpapers.net/
InterfaceLIFT: http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper_beta/.../date/any/
Good-Walls: http://www.good-walls.com/
ProWallpapers: http://www.prowallpapers.com/index
Vladstudio: http://www.vladstudio.com/home/
WinMatrix: http://www.winmatrix.com/
WinCostumize: http://www.wincustomize.com/
VistaStyles: http://vistastyles.org/
devianART: http://www.deviantart.com/
ThemeXP: http://www.themexp.org/
StudioTwentyEight: http://www.studiotwentyeight.com/
2Desktop: http://www.2desktop.com/
adni18: http://www.adni18.com/index.html
MyVistaThemes: http://www.myvistathemes.com/
5X: http://www.x-x-x-x-x.de/x-x-x-x-x.html
wstaylor: http://www.wstaylor.net/vista_walls.htm
VistaThemes: http://www.vistathemes.org/

How to Enable wallpaper on second monitor on login/logon screen ?

netsick — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:04:53 GMT

Hi,

I have used the various tools etc.. (Resource hacker / LogonStudio etc..) to alter the logon screen wallpaper but none of them appear to allow you to set a wallpaper for the second monitor.

Once logged in I manage my desktop wallpaper with Ultramon. This works fine for the desktop once logged in but as soon as you lock the pc or reboot and the welcome/logon screen appears the second monitor just shows a black background.

Is there anyway to have two seperate wallpapers for the logon/welcome screen OR even just one stretched image that stretches over the primary and secondary ?

I can move my mouse etc.. over to the second monitor when the welcome/logon screen is showing so I know that it can at least display something. Plus the screensaver shows on both displays aswell if you wait on the welcome/login screen so it sounds like its possible.

Any ideas ? Does anyone else's welcome screen show a wallpaper on both monitors ?

Thanks

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

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.

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

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 :)

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?

Open program without Vista Aero.

AndreasC — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:15:17 GMT

Hi.

I would like to open for example Mozilla Thunderbird without having Vista Aero visuals applied to it. I have a theme applied to Thunderbird, and usually it should cover all of the application window. But in Vista, the title area of the windows is Aero.

How can I get rid of Aero in specific applications?

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!

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?

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]

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]

:)

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?

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.

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

cooleo — 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