Can't Add Gadgets to Sidebar

[Ex_Brit]

I've setup the sidebar so it works like the Vista one and the default gadgets work fine, but if I try to add any external ones, such as BBC News etc. some "unspecified error" occurs and everything just hangs until I end task. I can, however, add ones that are listed in the get more gadgets window. I can only assume something has changed from 7000 to 7100 as I did the permissions things the same as I usually do. Unless of course I messed up somewhere, but I can't for the life of me spot where I've gone wrong.

Is it possible to restore the sidebar folder to its original state and start over again?

 

[Ex_Brit]

OK, let me re-word this...if I turn off Windows Gadgets in Programs, Turn Windows features On & Off, reboot and then turn them back on again, does that restore a pristine Sidebar or not?

I really don't want to format and reinstall all over this stupid issue.

Anyone...??

Addendum: That didn't work. Now trying sfc /scannow.

 

[johngalt]

Sorry, not sure what is causing that - let us know how the SFC went.

I am assuming you upgraded to 7100 from 7077?

 

[Ex_Brit]

Well it didn't upgrade in the end. Due to my own fumbling I installed a fresh copy of 7100 and ended up with 7000 ensconced in windows.old.

Everything works fine except adding certain gadgets to the sidebar.

The system file check only caused Windows Mail to disappear again, it's back now. It didn't repair the gadget issue.

 

[johngalt]

Could it be that those gadgets are not set to work with the RC build for some reason?

Also, what is your UAC status?

 

[Ex_Brit]

Could it be that those gadgets are not set to work with the RC build for some reason?

Also, what is your UAC status?

Could well be that they are no longer compatible. It would make sense as some do work and others don't.

I have UAC set to default.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I was wondering if any of you could try installing the BBC Radio Gadget (and/or BBC News or CBC Radio) and see if they work, with or without the sidebar activated.

It could be that 7100 has something that causes them to break.

It's not possible to use Compatibility Mode with a downloaded gadget so that option is out. I can't find anything on the web from anyone else, so perhaps I'm unique here? (In which case I've obviously screwed up...!).

 

[Ex_Brit]

I just discovered the strangest thing. This operation seems to have broken my Vista Sidebar completely as I can't even get it to open. Weird considering all I did in the above was follow the tutorial and copy files from Vista. (Maybe I "Cut" in error...?).

Back to the drawing board....LOL.

Addendum: Fixed using Vista Forums Sidebar Wont Start Tute.

 

[SUBRM1]

Thanks all for pointing me in the right direction here we go.
1. Make sure your logged in as an admin.
2. open up task manger and close down sidebar if its running. (just kill the process)
3. open up c:/program files/windows sidebar
4. right click the sidebar application go to security, check the status of the settings, my load had sys, admin and users with read as the only permission. If this is the case keep on with the next step.
5. Go to the advance tab and go to owner and take ownership of the file with your admin account. then ok out of the boxes, so this setting can take effect.
6. right click/properties/security tab.
7. now select system and hit edit, change it to full control, I also put admin with full control and gave users modify.
8. now click ok to run out of it.
9. double click sidebar. Be prepared, I had 34 different gadgets jump onto my desktop after I did this.
This fixed my inability to maintain gadgets on the desktop after rebooting, it also allows me to edit the gadget settings, and I no longer have a ghost icon from the My gadgets window if I drag and drop a gadget to the desktop. I also let trustedinstaller account have full control, I didn't see any reason to mess with it. UAC is disabled by the way. and I haven't installed any "fixes" from vista. If this help anyone out, let me know.


RM1(SS)
Ya know windows 7 is like the last Highlander Movie, one was awesome (XP), Two was what the hell were they thinking (vista), and three (win 7) was back to the original story line or an apology for messing things up with two (vista).

 

[Ex_Brit]

Hmm, interesting, but still wont let me add certain gadgets. Others are OK.

 

[Mark]

For anyone interested, I have created another method to reinstate the Vista Sidebar, follow method 1 in this tutorial, very quick and easy to do and 0 risk.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/587-vista-windows-sidebar-reinstate-windows-7-a.html

 

[Ex_Brit]

Mr GRiM,

I started over just to see how things would go and 1st that Windows Sidebar x86 file causes errors when I right-clicked the desktop/gadgets, perhaps because (x86) is part of the name or was it because I renamed the original folder Windows Sidebar.old? . However when I re-copied the gadgets folder from Vista, this time everything works as before and now I can add any gadget I want.

 

[Mark]

Yes you need to take the folder out of the folder it was unzipped to, if that makes sense, anyway glad you got it sorted.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Yes you need to take the folder out of the folder it was unzipped to, if that makes sense, anyway glad you got it sorted.

Doh!! it never occurred to me to do that...ah well, all's well that ends well I guess.

Thanks a million.

 

[7tester]

i fixed this problem...

well... today i started my windows 7 and i had an error...
i coundnt start windows gadgets...
i tried everything... nothing worked...

so i went to add/remove programs, turn on / off windows programs...
and i turned the windows gadgets off...
iv shutd down my computer, umplugged the energy cabe for 20 seconds, started my pc in SAFE MODE...
turned on windows gadgets at control panel, restarted normally my computer
and now my windows gadgets are works again!!!

hope i could help...

(sorry for my poor english...)

best regards!

 

[hnml24]

Thanks all for pointing me in the right direction here we go.
1. Make sure your logged in as an admin.
2. open up task manger and close down sidebar if its running. (just kill the process)
3. open up c:/program files/windows sidebar
4. right click the sidebar application go to security, check the status of the settings, my load had sys, admin and users with read as the only permission. If this is the case keep on with the next step.
5. Go to the advance tab and go to owner and take ownership of the file with your admin account. then ok out of the boxes, so this setting can take effect.
6. right click/properties/security tab.
7. now select system and hit edit, change it to full control, I also put admin with full control and gave users modify.
8. now click ok to run out of it.
9. double click sidebar. Be prepared, I had 34 different gadgets jump onto my desktop after I did this.
This fixed my inability to maintain gadgets on the desktop after rebooting, it also allows me to edit the gadget settings, and I no longer have a ghost icon from the My gadgets window if I drag and drop a gadget to the desktop. I also let trustedinstaller account have full control, I didn't see any reason to mess with it. UAC is disabled by the way. and I haven't installed any "fixes" from vista. If this help anyone out, let me know.


RM1(SS)
Ya know windows 7 is like the last Highlander Movie, one was awesome (XP), Two was what the hell were they thinking (vista), and three (win 7) was back to the original story line or an apology for messing things up with two (vista).

Worke for me ..
just gave permissions to all users \ admin \ system etc..
and now it workes like a charm.

thanks =]