Windows Vista Sidebar Errors
One addition to the Vista operating system that has not been seen in any previous version of the Microsoft operating system is the Windows sidebar. Google desktop users may recognize the kind of software this is and will almost certainly be aware of its benefits. The sidebar houses gadgets such as a calculator, world clock, currency converter, and much more. Some of these gadgets are included as standard with the Vista installation while others can be downloaded and installed to further enhance the features offered by Vista and, specifically, the Windows sidebar.
These are some of the more common errors regarding the use of the Windows sidebar on a machine running the Vista operating system. Where possible we have included the error message text and a link to the appropriate Microsoft knowledge base article.
Knowledgebase article 927825
A Runtime Error has occurred. Do you wish to debug? Line:
This error occurs when attempting to use a sidebar gadget. The error occurs because the code of the gadget attempts to assign a null value to the gadget function. All gadgets must have a function assigned to them in order to work properly.
In order to resolve this issue you can choose to remove the gadget from the sidebar by uninstalling or disabling it or you edit the gadget's .html file in order to assign a function properly.
Knowledgebase article 930099
There have been reports that some gadgets may not download and install correctly and that they do not display in the Windows sidebar. While there is no known error message associated with this problem access to and use of the gadget is difficult, if not completely impossible.
This problem tends to occur when the .gadget extension used by compatible gadgets is not associated with the sidebar. Resolution of the problem requires properly associating file types with the sidebar application and is done as follows:
> Click Start
> Type default programs in the Search box and hit Enter
> Click the “Associate a file type or protocol with a program” button
> Click “.gadget” under the “Name” heading and then click “Change program”
> Under the “Recommended programs” header select “Windows sidebar” and click “OK”
Knowledgebase article 930100
If a gadget appears to have installed correctly but does not display within the Windows sidebar then the most likely problem is that it has been written using a language that is not supported in your Vista version. Another possibility is that you have not selected the language as one of your preferred languages.
First, you should attempt to install the appropriate language pack according to the language of the gadget. There are a number of language packs available. However, some languages are not supported and in these cases it will be necessary to ask the gadget publisher or distributor if they can provide a version in a different language that is supported.
Knowledgebase article 930277
The Windows sidebar should retain the display settings and layout that you choose. However, in some cases this doesn't happen. Problems have occurred whereby restarting your computer can mean that some gadgets do not display at all while others may have moved location.
In order to work around this problem you should first attempt to move the gadgets back to the desired location and then restart your computer. This problem should not have an adverse effect on the functions offered by the gadget.
Knowledgebase article 930371
Clicking outside of the gadget flyout Windows may result in the gadget and the sidebar becoming unresponsive. This is an error that is usually caused by a mistake in the programming of the gadget itself. This error represents the fact that the gadget code contains beginTransition and endTransition functions that should not be included within the flyout Windows code.
In order to resolve this issue it will be necessary to contact the gadget author in order that they can fix the code so that it meets the sidebar requirements. Typically this means replacing the two features within the appropriate area of the code.
