[AddOn] Windows Sidebar v6.0.6002.18005

[ricktendo]

Thank You very much for your hard work!!

[feared]

Hi Ricktendo64.

Thanks for this awesome sidebar and for continuing to update it.

I wanted to add some gadgets to the svcpack\gadgets folder and then repack the addon. Now, when I open the Gadgets.exe with WinRAR I get a Gadgets folder and inside I get Gadgets and Shared Gadgets folders. Which one of these do I use to add my new gadgets to? I guess Shared Gadgets would be the safe bet.

Also, do I use the file that I downloaded from the net ie: All_CPU_Meter.gadget or do I first need to install it and then add the folder from C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets\?

Thanks!

[Guest snakecracker]

Hi Ricktendo64.

Thanks for this awesome sidebar and for continuing to update it.

I wanted to add some gadgets to the svcpack\gadgets folder and then repack the addon. Now, when I open the Gadgets.exe with WinRAR I get a Gadgets folder and inside I get Gadgets and Shared Gadgets folders. Which one of these do I use to add my new gadgets to? I guess Shared Gadgets would be the safe bet.

Also, do I use the file that I downloaded from the net ie: All_CPU_Meter.gadget or do I first need to install it and then add the folder from C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Shared Gadgets\?

Thanks!

No, add them in Gadgets folder.

Create a folder naming it the same as the gadget file. make sure you have .gadget after the name (i.e Name_gadget.gadget) Then extract all the files to the folder you just created.

put that folder you just put your files in into C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets.

then go to the sidebar and add the gadgets.

[feared]

No, add them in Gadgets folder.

Create a folder naming it the same as the gadget file. make sure you have .gadget after the name (i.e Name_gadget.gadget) Then extract all the files to the folder you just created.

put that folder you just put your files in into C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets.

then go to the sidebar and add the gadgets.

Thanks snakecracker, but I'm talking about repacking the nLite Addon made by ricktendo64 with the gadgets I have downloaded not how to add gadgets to an existing sidebar.

[Sk8_rDude_CR]

No do not use this on Vista.

For re-instalation of the sidebar I talk about that here

Wow Thank You Soooo Much ricktendo64. Your so awesome with all your great addons and help and awesomeness!

[SpeedEuphoria]

Thanks Again

Edited March 17, 2009 by SpeedEuphoria

[qwesta]

WAO!!! I did not check that detail out, I may go back to the old way with the sidebar.exe for each lang

hi rick, have you gone back to the original Addon or considered this as you said?

Thank you

[Tplpeters]

any fix for this "INF Install failure. Reason: Could not retrieve the system message. You may run out of the system resource on xp 64

[stsaerox]

Hi rick Im using this addon over 1 year with no problems. Lately I'm using driveinfo gadget with the latest version of your sidebar and every time i reboot i have the error screen that restarts gadgets and no gadgets on my sidebar. When I remove this everything else is working ok. I've read previous posts but any of the links is broken.... Can you fix this?

[Dissscount]

A problem with Windows IE8, after installing IE8, connection to all programs(except Skype, MS Update) weren't working..seems needs an update

[Mr_Smartepants]

A problem with Windows IE8, after installing IE8, connection to all programs(except Skype, MS Update) weren't working..seems needs an update

Works for me no problems. What addon are you using? I install via svcpack with updates via ROE.

[ricktendo]

Im waiting for sp2 to update this

[Ghazanfar]

Hi guys! I am having a problem. NO matter what CPU meter I select, it appears as a big grayish box on the sidebar. How can I resolve it. Weather Gadget is also not working. I have SP3 installed.

[ricktendo]

Weather Gadget you can fix by downloading a patched wlsrvc.dll on the second to first post, the gray cpu gadget can be fixed one of two ways:

1- Make sure you have IE7/8 installed

2- If you do already have them installed try going to Add/Remove Programs and use the "Change" button to re-register the sidebar

[MENNONH]

How can I obtain the installation file(s) for the sidebar app. I have installed alky and all the required files, merged all the files needed, and opened the alky msi. However I cannot find any kind of installation for the actual sidebar. I have also searched for it though torrents, google, and read every post on this thread. I also went though the tutorial site which is no longer available and its root.

Edited March 31, 2009 by MENNONH

[ricktendo]

Right click on sidebar.inf and choose install

[Yochanan]

If you read the instructions, you'd find that you need to right-click on sidebar.inf and select Install.

EDIT: Whoops, I didn't see ricktendo64's post from the email notification. Feel free to delete this post.

Edited March 31, 2009 by Yochanan

[Bruno.H.]

On the all left side part of this whole picture is a date~time index representation pattern based on MSWinXPProSP3RTM OS. It is actually a test representation which is more-less the same, repeated on 8 cumulative Test PCs during last six months period. All this PCs has different but all original and not changed / modified, in any way or condition, an MSWinXPProSP3RTM on it, and one PC was based even and still on older MSWinXPProSP2RTM. All of them was freshly and clean MSWinOS installations, right from the scratch. The only thing that was maybe changed, it's a Windows Theme to more suites like Vista View, and that's all…

For MSWinXPProSP2RTM I was needed to install the "Wireless LAN API (KB918997)" and the "Windows Sidebar continuously increase in memory in MSWinXPSP2 (KB940541)", but for MSWinXPProSP3RTM this two Updates are not needed anymore for manual installations, since the MSWinXPProSP3RTM has both of this Updates integrated, as Microsoft Corp. officially claims in their MSWinXPProSP3RTM whitepapers!!!

So, the five left sided MSWinXPProSP3RTM pictures all here, are representing following date~time indexes:

a ) 31.03.2009. 17:54PM *

b ) 31.03.2009. 23:40PM

c ) 01.04.2009. 01:57AM

d ) 01.04.2009. 17:09PM *

e ) 01.04.2009. 20:31PM

Furthermore, on the all right side part of this whole picture is a date~time index representation pattern based on my own MSWinVistaUltimateSP1RTM.

This two right sided MSWinVistaUltimateSP1RTM pictures all here, are representing following date~time indexes:

a ) 31.03.2009. 17:55PM *

b ) 01.04.2009. 17:10PM *

After all this, please conclude the all left and the all right picture sides date~time indexes vs. the amount of memory usage via all presented and marked "sidebar.exe" processes all here.

My founding's, during last six months conclude that the amount of three "sidebar.exe" processes via MSWinXPProSP2RTM & MSWinXPProSP3RTM goes like the chain reaction fully up, no matter what you do actually, as presented in all this pictures all here...

In fact, it will only reset, when you Shut Down or restart your PC, and than the same story all over again…

I did not test at all, all this, on MSWinSrv2003, but, like I said, it is happening over different PCs with all different MSWinXPSP2RTM or MSWinXPSP3RTM, but they are all freshly installed RTM and original MSWinOS installations, and not modified in any way or condition, except, as already mentioned, it is added the new Windows Theme for Vista look, an installation of "Alky for Applications 1.1" and this "Vista Sidebar" all here, respectfully from "Ricktendo64".

Of course, as normal, before those last two just mentioned installations all here, the standard "Windows Update" Service was performed to the most Up-to-date… The all PCs was off-line during this particular tests performed in last six months, but in one of this testing's of mine, I also let one PC to be fully on-line all night long, and in the morning, all the same great memory usage are developing all here and again, no matter what you do…

On the all right side part of this whole picture is a date~time index representation pattern based on my MSWinVistaUltimateSP1RTM. You can exactly see how the amount of memory consumption for all here, just one "sidebar.exe" process is going on, from one day to another…

I am not a programmer, not a critic person all here, I really admire this project by "Ricktendo64", but someone who knows, really needs to go into this great memory consumption problem…

It is also not important which Gadgets or how much Gadgets is engaged actually all here, the memory consumption will slowly but most surely increasing without possibility to stop it, no mater what.

Consider this scenario, you have your MSWinXPProSP3RTM based PC engaged for 4-5 days, how this problem will infect your RAM, since this memory consumption is unstoppable?!

Furthermore, you have your MSWinSrv2003, and you have it engaged for one month now…?!

The Windows Sidebar all here will not lower ever the amount of grabbed memory consumption in my testing's in last six months. He will maybe take it slow on consumption from time to time, and than, back again, in some other time, take it really quick on memory consumption, but one thing is certain, he will not stop, as long you will not shut down or restart your Computer, and than this entire story will begin again from the start…

And last note here, yes, it is normal to have three "sidebar.exe" process instances and not just one all here, but the problem with memory increasing consumption is not so OK, and it is completely other story all here, so be aware of this potential issue all here…

Finally, if I know how to repair this, if I know some expert to recommended online to all here for help, I will do that to help this project goes on as it is really and honestly my big wish, that this project be really finish and superb, but I can't, and I can only say how much time and effort I really spend in all this of my testing's in last half year, to be absolutely sure what I am writing here…

An again, I repeat, that we talking about 8 different test PC machines and one ACER Gemstone Blue laptop, based on my original MSWinVistaUltimateSP1RTM. And those 8 PCs were based on different, but original ones, and not in any way modified MSWinXPProSP3RTM OSs, and just one of them was based on older MSWinXPProSP2RTM OS, and all of them have this Memory consumption problem issue via three "sidebar.exe" processes, as showed on the big picture, and without any exceptions whatsoever!!!

"Ricktendo64", my apologize in advanced!

Like I said, I really admire this work all here, and Alky's also!!!

But, maybe it is time that you consider some programmer consultation for this, because this is not just a random error of mine all here, or some error of mine in my analysis.

Maybe it is not your problem, but you modified and creating all this, you cannot simply say it is a minor or even minority problem,

I mean, despite this, I never had any other problem(s) with working of yours great Windows Sidebar, whatsoever,

and the "MSN Weather" Gadget do now work on my pictures, just because I was off-line...

I am an IT expert with 20 years of workmanship on IT Security field; this is not here my glitch or accidentally error reviled… I really done my homework on study all here, and I was having all those 8 (+ one laptop) extra PCs to test all this, but I did not have all this hours in one piece, so I need few months to be sure and not just bubble mistakenly all here unsecured…

Wish you really luck and nothing but the best to perfect this great works of yours and what you do actually for all the community!!!

Best regards!

Admins and / or Moderators here will maybe decide to remove this picture from here, since it is really to big...

My apologize to them in advanced if that will be issue all here...

The optional download can be performed over:

http://www.filefactory.com/file/af89c9e/n/...sue_04_2009_jpg

or

http://www.MegaShare.com/712883

Best regards to all from Bruno!

Edited April 3, 2009 by Bruno.H.

[Mr_Smartepants]

Looks like a memory leak to me.

[bober]

i dont think there is any problems at all,depending on the gadgets you add it also may add a sidebar.exe process.For the memory usage, again some gadgets use more than others,and apparently depending on the language you use the there may be a problem as it was stated a few posts back(i dunno where exactly but i recall a user talking about the mui support that was added to this addon,just reading the previous posts might give you a hint on what can be called "normal" behavior).

but jugging from ure screen shots,i cant see any problems at all.yeah alky and the sidebar does use alot of memory but i find its one of the best working bars and you can prety much import any original vista gadget.

edit: and you seem to have alot of gadgets(atleast 2 pages worth)try with less gadgets = less memory hogging.

[Bruno.H.]

I was deliberately let via picture that all can see, all the Gadgets which I use this time on this last of my

Test machine all here.

All this I use also on Laptop with original VistaUltimateSP1, except those that are not from Microsoft -

I mean on the some extra gadgets that are here on this great Windows Sidebar installation package only,

and not on original Vista based PC.

In both scenarios (PC based on MSWinXPSP3 and laptop based on VistaUltimateSP1),

the 2 pages of Gadgets was on, in this of my last Test all here showed in the pictures.

In before Test machines, I use only the default one Gadgets that engaged immediately after installation

of this great Windows Sidebar project all here, they also starving on unstoppable mem. usage,

via MSWinXPSP3 based machine as described, but they eat than a mem. much slowly...

In my testings, during last six months, I try with this locales: EN (as English), IT (as Italian) &

HR (as Croatian / Hrvatska, just my present and temporary place of residence...)

I did not change anything else on this MSWinXPSP3 based Test PC and on this Windows Sidebar,

and the Microsoft Weather Gadget in it, I let as it was - on default it will not work on IT or HR,

and I let it on that way, I did not even try to repair it as instructed, an neither use it at all.

Instead of that, I use an MSN Weather Gadget, it works immediately great (just not on my pictures,

because I was off-line).

--------------

You say that you do not see the problem at all.

Well, this is eight Test PC all here...

The Test started at 31.03.2009. at 17:54PM and it last till the 01.04.2009. at 20:31.

Test for approx. 24hours time period / 1 day, you can say...

During that time, one of the three "sidebar.exe" process was stable all this long all here

on my MSWinXPSP3 based computer (stable like in original VistaUltimateSP1 based laptop of mine...).

I mean, in all this time, he did not crossed from 15.532K to 15.688K of mem. usage, at max.

Did I mentioned earlier that during all this test time, I did not work at all on this Computer,

he was completely off-line, and just left, I only PrintScreen a picture via Microsoft Paint from

time to time, that's all... I did not work at all on that Computer, not a minute...

But other two "sidebar.exe" processes all here via MSWinXPSP3 based Test PC,

during that already mentioned 24h Test time, developed this:

73.084 - 37.576 = 35.508K (Mem. usage developing via 2nd "sidebar.exe" process)

51.660 - 34.076 = 17.585K (Mem. usage developing via 3rd "sidebar.exe" process)

35.508 + 17.585 = 53.092MB of cumulative Mem. usage of the 2 "sidebar.exe" processes

in some 24h story development, and that amount of mem. continuously and unstoppable rising further!

I mean, this is not big you say, how about on a PCs that will stay ON during more than this 24 hours all here,

or even if this same problem is happening via MSWinServer2003!!!!!!?????

If in just one day, he develops a more than 50MB of RAM usage, how about a month on a

working via MS Server 2003 (?!).

Am I the only one here that can clearly see the story development that will produce in time...?!

You see, I can put just the default one Gadgets (less gadgets) all here as you advised,

but the problem with unstoppable and continuously, aggressively rising mem. usage of just 3-4 max. engaged

gadgets on listening your advise, will not simply goes away, just because I really love it and want so much

that this great Windows Sidebar project really work and function on my MSWinXPSP3 based PC,

and I cannot simply turn my eyes all here, because facts is a facts all here.

I mean, this unstoppable mem. usage will repeat even with just 2-3-4 default engaged Gadgets all here,

but they will just take more slow on time to develop a 50 or more MB of usage all here,

and not on 1 day, but maybe 2-3-4 days they will need to rich 50 or more MB of mem. hunger....

- It is same old story all over again...

So, use less gadgets all here is not a solution, because on Vista, the single one "sidebar.exe"

process, for all default available and engaged Gadgets in my MSWinVistaUltimateSP1 will produce,

in that same at 24h, a Memory consumption from 30.188K to 33.884K of cumulative mem. usage, at max.!

That is only 3 and some MB all here my gentlemen in one day.

I repeat, all the available gadgets by default in my laptop based MSVistaUltimateSP1 original was also here

fully engaged, and I was also here fully off-line...

And now here, on MSWinXPSP3 based Test PC and with the Windows Sidebar installation on it,

I did not even try and engaged all the available Gadgets all here at all,

instead of that, I was using most common and some extra Gadgets till max. of the number of 13 (lucky 13...)

So the advice, do not use so many Gadgets will not simply eliminate the continuously and aggressively rising

mem. usage problem all here, it will just slow it on, to our sight, just bearable issue all here,

but, if you stay with your Computer ON, for a few days, the mem. usage will not just be some 50MB only all here,

it will most surely and again rise to the sky baby...

And, if the same problem happens also on MSWinServer2003 that will work / be fully engaged and ON,

for months (I did not test it), well: "Houston, we have problem", that is truly called a mem. leakage all here...

Yes, my RAM modules are really OK, I repeat, this testing was performed on 8 cumulative and different

clean installation Test PCs, and one more laptop that carries my MSWinVistaUltimateSP1...

No Malware was present all here, etc...

I even do not use no AV Software or similar all here, that he will not interfere somehow with the results,

and the Eset Smart Security 4 is only installed via my MSWinVistaUltimateSP1 laptop...

And because I was unprotected most of the all testing time on this 8 Test PCs, I rather stay fully off-line,

but just on start, for a few minutes I left him on-line, because I want that gadgets load their on-line material

(MSN Weather Gadget, Microsoft Feed Headlines...), that they can work more properly and naturally...

And, because I was off-line over my Test PCs, I also let my MSWinVistaUltimateSP1 based laptop also

fully off-line all this testing time period, as I already mentioned and written, to simply give the most similar

testing environment on everything...

My conclusion cannot be simply nothing else all here, than the mem. leakage...,

now matter how I like all this simply beautiful project all here to breath fully with its lungs!

That's the reason because I earlier advice that some really great programmer professional need to take a look

at it...

Well, I really will put my cross-fingers for the luck all here!

[Mr_Smartepants]

This memory leak was reported back here: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?s=&...ost&p=43611

The older addon worked fine apparently.

[Bruno.H.]

This memory leak was reported back here: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?s=&...ost&p=43611

The older addon worked fine apparently.

I was reporting this all here, before few months ago also.

But than I was not sure, till I finally conclude my testings...

Now I am sure as I can be on maximum...

That is primary reason that I post my finally concluded foundings yesterday to all here once more,

and I was detailed and thorough do the maximum, maybe that will help to fix the problem...

I also believe that this is the best of the best of "Windows Sidebar Project" ever created for MSWinXP based Computers,

but I cannot just disregard the memory problem, and I believe that it is a problem:

Memory leakage ~ this Software need MSWinXP optimization....

Before few months ago, the Ricktendo64 comment for this was:

Jun 30 2008, 09:02 PM

Post #940

The memory bug is a odd one, only happens to some and not others (plus I am not smart enough to fix anything I just make the addon). tongue.gif)

Like I said, I believe him, was patient, and try to investigate by myself once more, maybe I was mistaken,

than once more testing on my own, than once more again, and here we are now, back again all here, with the same problem...

I cannot simply be the only one has it, since all 8 different PCs with different configurations showing the same, in last six months of testing all this...

And that is all that I have to say about all this...

If I can help any further, post another picture, try something like some advice from Ricktendo64 himself or anybody else...,

I am here on everybody service, because I really want to fix this problem, the only obstacle left seems to me, for this Windows Sidebar can finally be the best of the best for MSWinXP based PCs...

Edited April 7, 2009 by Bruno.H.

[Greg S]

I'm having problems with sidebar after the latest Window Updates. I can manage to get the clock in the sidebar but if I click the options button I get the warning of bad gadgets, find it remove it etc.. but gadget want restart. I receive the same warning again. I've done the control panel repair/reregister with no luck. Any ideas? I am using Sidebar Styler and repaired it as well but still no joy.

Edit: It appears to be the update for IE7. Uninstalling it fixes sidebar. Maybe it was a bad install and I will try again.

Edit2: No such luck. Something in the latest IE7 update hinders the sidebar from working properly

Edited April 17, 2009 by Greg S

[zynergi]

rick,

1910_Vista_5744_Sidebar_4_XP works fine on Windows XP x64. Finally figured this out after months of struggling. With this installed, what should I do to update it to the latest sidebar version? (alchy 2k3 1.1 is still installed)