Windows Sidebar - Gadget Not Displayed Correctly

How to Fix the Windows Sidebar Gadget Not Displaying Correctly in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to fix the Windows Sidebar when the clock gadget is displayed as a black square and all other gadgets show up as white rectangles with one of those information (i) icons and a plus sign.

   Note

This usually happens if the XML registration is missing in the system. The steps below will show you how to fix this.

EXAMPLE: Windows Sidebar not displaying correctly

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OPTION ONE

Automatically Using a BAT File Download

NOTE: This does the same thing as in OPTION TWO below, but automatically. If your Vista is not displayed as the C: drive in Computer, then do OPTION TWO below instead and substitute C: in the last command with your drive letter instead.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Reset_Gadgets.bat​

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2. Click on Save (if prompted), and save the .bat file to your desktop.​

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3. Right click on the downloaded .bat file and click on Run as administrator.​

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4. You will see a command prompt flash open and close as the .bat file runs.​

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5. When finished, restart the computer to apply.​

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6. Check to see if Windows Sidebar is displaying correctly now. If not, then do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem.​

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OPTION TWO

Manually in a Elevated Command Prompt

NOTE: This does the same thing as in OPTION ONE above, but manually.

1. Open a elevated command prompt (right click - Run as administrator​

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2. In the elevated command prompt, type in each command below and press Enter one at a time. After each time your press Enter, you will need to click on OK before doing the next command. (see screenshot below)​

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[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][LIST][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]taskkill /im sidebar.exe /f[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]regsvr32 msxml3.dll[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]regsvr32 scrrun.dll[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]regsvr32 jscript.dll[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]regsvr32 atl.dll[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\wlsrvc.dll"[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*]reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones" /f[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][/LIST][INDENT][B][COLOR=red]NOTE:[/COLOR][/B] [I]This command will reset the security zones in Internet Explorer back to the default settings[/I].[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][LIST][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][*][B]"[COLOR=red]C:[/COLOR][/B]\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe"[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][/LIST][INDENT][B][COLOR=red]NOTE:[/COLOR][/B] [I]If your Vista is not displayed as the [B]C:[/B] drive in Computer, then substitute [B][COLOR=red]C:[/COLOR][/B] in the command above with your drive letter instead.[/I][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][/INDENT]

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3. Restart the computer to apply.​

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4. Check to see if Windows Sidebar is displaying correctly now. If not, then do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Change the Windows Sidebar Theme in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Sidebar in Vista
• How to Turn Windows Sidebar On or Off in Vista
• How to Fix Windows Sidebar not Starting in Vista

 

[Brink]

The Windows Sidebar is part of Vista, so you cannot uninstall and reinstall just the sidebar. It would have to be for Vista instead. If it system restore does not help, then you can see if you may be able to do a repair install instead.

 

[nudin89]

After i restore my comp..an error message says my computer system cant be changed.
and,i'm interested to do factory restore..how to do it and does it will delete all the software/installed programs and my documents?

 

[Brink]

Nudin,

A factory restore will format your Vista partition and restore Vista back like the day you first turned on your computer. It will wipe out any software and files that you have installed since then, so you will need to reinstall any programs that were not originally on your computer. You should also backup any files that you do not want to lose as well.

If you can post back what brand your computer is, I'll post instructions from their website on how to do the factory restore.

 

[nudin89]

I'm using benq s32b
ok,so factory restore only format system's partition and wont effect the others partition? i cant do backup to other hard disk because i dont have any..

 

[Brink]

Nudin,

Page 45 in your manual can help show you how to. It seems it will only wipe out the partition that you select to install Vista to.

 

[PreLynMax]

When I used the regsvr32 msxml3.dll prompt, a window popped up that says "The module "msxml3.dll was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x80070005.

 

[Brink]

Hello PreLynMax, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You will need to be logged in as an administrator, or use a elevated command prompt (Run as administrator) for this to work.

You Receive a "DllRegisterServer" Error When You Try to Register a DLL by Using Regsvr32.exe

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[monestermash]

hi thanks alot !!
please i need your help:
i have same problem & my gadgets not display correctly .
my OS is Win 7 ultimate 64X.

i do the top but in step """""5. In the elevated command prompt, type regsvr32 scrrun.dll and press Enter. (See screenshot below)"""''
have a error that is ____:

regsvr32
the module "scrrun.dll" was loaded but call to Dllregisterserver failed with error code 0x80004005.
for more information about this problem,search online using the error code as a search term.

please help me !!!!

 

[Brink]

Hello Monestermash, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Try the typing the command below first, then that one again to see if it may work afterwards.

regsvr32 vbscript.dll
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If not, then you could do a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this issue to undo and fix it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[monestermash]

thank you for your answer.
i did all of instructions as administration & all of steps was ok but I have the previous problem.
I have tune up utility & I delete all of restore points.
now what can i do ?
if there is any Strategy say it thank you !!

 

[Brink]

Ok, give this a try below. It will reset the security zones settings that may be blocking the gadgets.

• Download the REG file below and save it to your desktop.
• Close all Internet Explorer windows.
• Close Windows Sidebar.
• Double click on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
• Open Windows Sidebar.

 

[prukeyhi]

Hi Shawn and friends ,
after having this issue i could solved it only with this Microsoft instructions (there is also auto. fix as well)
To fix this problem, follow these steps:

BUT first make sure your sidebar.exe is enabled in your firewall

1. Click Start, and then click All Programs.
2. Click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
User Access Control permission
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. At the command prompt, type the following commands. Press ENTER after each command.
Regsvr32 atl.dll
Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll
Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\wlsrvc.dll
exit
4. Restart the computer.

Article ID: 963010 - Last Review: July 15, 2009 - Revision: 2.1
How do I restore the Windows Sidebar?

I do hope it'll help other friends as well!
Thanks

 

[Brink]

Thank you. I'll have a play with it later, and update the tutorial as needed.

 

[prukeyhi]

Thanks Shawn

 

[Brink]

Prukeyhi,

I've added them to the tutorial, but the other two commands below were incorrect and needed a " added to the end of them.

• Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"
• Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\wlsrvc.dll"

Thank you again.

 

[prukeyhi]

You are welcome

However i noticed too that " is missing in the end of the command
Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll
BUT it worked for me ...

 

[Brink]

Strange. They gave me an error without the " on the end, but at least they worked for you.

 

[Bismillah]

Thanx dear you solved my problem....muahhhhhhhhhh..

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Bismillah, and welcome to Vista Forums.

 

[Mander]

Thanks a lot it works this is the best web site