[SOLVED] Window sidebar gone all the sudden....

blackbeagle · 05-22-2009, 08:29 PM

I don't know what happened but one day I restarted my laptop and the sidebar was gone. Not that it's a huge deal but there are a few gadgets that I actually like. Anyways, when I download a new gadget (like facebook), I get this message:

C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\FacebookExplorer-1.gadget could not be opened, because an unknown error occurred.

Try saving to disk first and then opening the file.

When I save and open it doesn't work either. Something has happened. Does anyone know what issue I have?

Thank you

**williamkidd** · 05-23-2009, 01:28 AM

blackbeagle,

First things first, which sidebar are we talking about here: Vista, Windows 7, Google, Desktop Sidebar or the Vista Sidebar for XP? If I'm looking at the same gadget that you're trying to use then you should be using the Vista or Windows 7 sidebar.

Assuming that you're using either the Vista or Win7 sidebar, the next thing to do is find the file that you downloaded. It looks like you may have done the same thing that I did when I tried it, that is choosing the option to open the file with the sidebar. If so, that's ok but it would be a good idea to move the file to a better place, like the folder where you keep your other downloads. It will work from where you have it now but that is a temp folder and it may get deleted at some point.

Either way, the next step is to find the file and right-click on it. Choose Open and it should give you the options Install and Don't Install so choose Install. At this point you will have to have your sidebar open because you will then want to click on the + to open the Gadgets window. You can then double-click on the Facebook Explorer gadget or right-click it and choose Add and it will appear in your sidebar.

----------------
Now playing: Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker
via FoxyTunes

blackbeagle · 05-24-2009, 02:51 PM

NO. There's something else going on that I don't know about thus the reason why I ask. Even when I go to Control Panel and select, Windows Sidebar Properties, I cannot select "View installed Gadgets" or "Restore gadgets". They are both 'greyed out'.

Right now following your instructions and download to my desktop, it still ask what program to open. There's nothing listed. I have to go into the "C" drive and find Window Sidebar, but nothing happens.

Something is seriously wrong.

joeten · 05-24-2009, 02:56 PM

hi have you tried running sfc /scnw http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66...c-command.html

blackbeagle · 05-24-2009, 03:07 PM

Am I suppose to download something here on this link?

**williamkidd** · 05-24-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

Am I suppose to download something here on this link?

blackbeagle,

No, joeten was suggesting that you run the System File Checker (sfc) that is part of Windows and that link describes how to run the program.

**williamkidd** · 05-24-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

Even when I go to Control Panel and select, Windows Sidebar Properties, I cannot select "View installed Gadgets" or "Restore gadgets". They are both 'greyed out'.

Both of those options will be greyed out if the Windows Sidebar is not open. The View list of running gadgets will become available if the Sidebar is open.

In that same Control Panel window does Start Sidebar when Windows starts have a check next to it? If not then check it so that it does and then click OK.

There are a couple of different ways to start the Sidebar. Here is one of them:
1. Click Start and type Windows Sidebar into the Search box and press Enter.
2. The Windows Sidebar should open if there is not something else going on.

blackbeagle · 05-24-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamkidd

Both of those options will be greyed out if the Windows Sidebar is not open. The View list of running gadgets will become available if the Sidebar is open.

In that same Control Panel window does Start Sidebar when Windows starts have a check next to it? If not then check it so that it does and then click OK.

There are a couple of different ways to start the Sidebar. Here is one of them:
1. Click Start and type Windows Sidebar into the Search box and press Enter.
2. The Windows Sidebar should open if there is not something else going on.

I type that in and nothing happens. Nothing starts. Nothing pops up. Like I said before, some things going on. That's what I need to figure out. Googled some other solutions but so far nothing works (incl. reinstalling Java and doing some CMD commands)

**williamkidd** · 05-24-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

I type that in and nothing happens. Nothing starts. Nothing pops up. Like I said before, some things going on. That's what I need to figure out. Googled some other solutions but so far nothing works (incl. reinstalling Java and doing some CMD commands)

Did you try running the System File Checker as joeten suggested? It's very possible that the Sidebar files have become corrupted. You do want to make sure that you have all other programs closed before you try to run the SFC as it may have to modify some system files and it can't do that if they are in use.

blackbeagle · 05-27-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamkidd

Did you try running the System File Checker as joeten suggested? It's very possible that the Sidebar files have become corrupted. You do want to make sure that you have all other programs closed before you try to run the SFC as it may have to modify some system files and it can't do that if they are in use.

I went through that today. Closed down Firefox and any antivirus running. Ran the SFC check. Went through 5 steps. The first 3 took a while and the last two steps didn't. After that, I restarted the Laptop but no luck. The sidebar still did not start up.

Anyone have any other ideas? Should I reinstall Vista?

**jenae** · 05-27-2009, 09:25 PM

Hi, now you have run sfc there should be no impediment to it's running. So now most likely something has effected the relevant dll's. Go to start all programs accessories and right click on command prompt select "run as administrator" at the prompt type:-

Code:

regsvr32 alt.dll press enter you should receive a confirmation
regsvr32 sbdrop.dll  press enter.. confirmation
regsvr32 wlsrvc.dll  press enter..  confirmation

Reboot and try sidebar now.

blackbeagle · 05-28-2009, 08:34 PM

When I type these commands, I get this error message:

RegSvr32

The module "alt.dll" failed to load. Make sure the binary is stored at the specified path or debug it to check for problems with the binary or dependent .dll files. The specified module could not be found.

**jenae** · 05-28-2009, 10:24 PM

Hi, looks like the easy way has failed these DLL's need to be registered within the shell, so rather then work my fingers out, Shawn from Vista forums has written a tutorial, read this carefully and also check the associated links this should not just happen so I would try the reg settings and the normal methods before the full unregister then reregister of the DLL's. Mind you none of this should cause you any harm if it bothers you or any Q post back .. good luck.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/11...art-vista.html

**williamkidd** · 05-28-2009, 10:27 PM

I don't have an alt.dll on my system either so just try that with the other two files that jenae mentioned. Remember to restart the system if doing it for those two files (sbdrop.dll and wlsrvc.dll) is successful. What that does is reregister those DLLs.

blackbeagle · 05-30-2009, 08:56 PM

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL

05-22-2009, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
blackbeagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeville Posts: 274 OS: XP Pro Service pk 2	[SOLVED] Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... I don't know what happened but one day I restarted my laptop and the sidebar was gone. Not that it's a huge deal but there are a few gadgets that I actually like. Anyways, when I download a new gadget (like facebook), I get this message: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\FacebookExplorer-1.gadget could not be opened, because an unknown error occurred. Try saving to disk first and then opening the file. When I save and open it doesn't work either. Something has happened. Does anyone know what issue I have? Thank you

05-23-2009, 01:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
williamkidd Senior Trainee Analyst (SH) Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 34 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1/Win7 RC	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... blackbeagle, First things first, which sidebar are we talking about here: Vista, Windows 7, Google, Desktop Sidebar or the Vista Sidebar for XP? If I'm looking at the same gadget that you're trying to use then you should be using the Vista or Windows 7 sidebar. Assuming that you're using either the Vista or Win7 sidebar, the next thing to do is find the file that you downloaded. It looks like you may have done the same thing that I did when I tried it, that is choosing the option to open the file with the sidebar. If so, that's ok but it would be a good idea to move the file to a better place, like the folder where you keep your other downloads. It will work from where you have it now but that is a temp folder and it may get deleted at some point. Either way, the next step is to find the file and right-click on it. Choose Open and it should give you the options Install and Don't Install so choose Install. At this point you will have to have your sidebar open because you will then want to click on the + to open the Gadgets window. You can then double-click on the Facebook Explorer gadget or right-click it and choose Add and it will appear in your sidebar. ---------------- Now playing: Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker via FoxyTunes

05-24-2009, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
blackbeagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeville Posts: 274 OS: XP Pro Service pk 2	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... NO. There's something else going on that I don't know about thus the reason why I ask. Even when I go to Control Panel and select, Windows Sidebar Properties, I cannot select "View installed Gadgets" or "Restore gadgets". They are both 'greyed out'. Right now following your instructions and download to my desktop, it still ask what program to open. There's nothing listed. I have to go into the "C" drive and find Window Sidebar, but nothing happens. Something is seriously wrong.

05-24-2009, 02:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
joeten Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,187 OS: vista	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... hi have you tried running sfc /scnw http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66...c-command.html __________________

05-24-2009, 03:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
blackbeagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeville Posts: 274 OS: XP Pro Service pk 2	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... Am I suppose to download something here on this link?

05-27-2009, 09:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
jenae Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,308 OS: XP & Vista	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... Hi, now you have run sfc there should be no impediment to it's running. So now most likely something has effected the relevant dll's. Go to start all programs accessories and right click on command prompt select "run as administrator" at the prompt type:- Code: regsvr32 alt.dll press enter you should receive a confirmation regsvr32 sbdrop.dll press enter.. confirmation regsvr32 wlsrvc.dll press enter.. confirmation Reboot and try sidebar now. __________________

05-28-2009, 08:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
blackbeagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeville Posts: 274 OS: XP Pro Service pk 2	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... When I type these commands, I get this error message: RegSvr32 The module "alt.dll" failed to load. Make sure the binary is stored at the specified path or debug it to check for problems with the binary or dependent .dll files. The specified module could not be found.

05-28-2009, 10:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
jenae Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,308 OS: XP & Vista	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... Hi, looks like the easy way has failed these DLL's need to be registered within the shell, so rather then work my fingers out, Shawn from Vista forums has written a tutorial, read this carefully and also check the associated links this should not just happen so I would try the reg settings and the normal methods before the full unregister then reregister of the DLL's. Mind you none of this should cause you any harm if it bothers you or any Q post back .. good luck. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/11...art-vista.html __________________

05-28-2009, 10:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
williamkidd Senior Trainee Analyst (SH) Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 34 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1/Win7 RC	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... I don't have an alt.dll on my system either so just try that with the other two files that jenae mentioned. Remember to restart the system if doing it for those two files (sbdrop.dll and wlsrvc.dll) is successful. What that does is reregister those DLLs.

05-30-2009, 08:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
blackbeagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeville Posts: 274 OS: XP Pro Service pk 2	Re: Window sidebar gone all the sudden.... PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL