start/run... type 'sidebar'

Can you load it from the start menu?

 

I imagine it's not appearing on startup because you disabled the startup key.  Enter Windows Defender and make sure the Sidebar is given permission to load at boot time.

Hello Les,

Thank you for your reply. My windows defender is off.  I have tried to turn my sidear on as you would normally do it through the start menu but nevertheless, it does not appear.

 

Thank you,

 

Natasha001

I have the same problem

can't start the sidebar from any where

please help

Ben

Try copying the sidebar start menu shortcut and pasting the copy in the "startup" folder in the programs menu.

Thanks for the suggestion

but it does not work

Spoke to Dell today.

They are suggesting to install vista again

A drastic solution, try to see if there are startup programs that may disable the sidebar... Just remove all the startup and let the sidebar to start...

Thanks again

Today I have restored to Dell Factory setting and all seems to be working for now

Ben

Hi,

For any issue with Windows Side bar in Vista, the best fix is to reset it to default state.

The steps to do so are as follows,

Click Start and select Computer.

Browse to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\.

Right-click Settings.ini and select Rename.

Rename the file Settings.old.

Restart the Windows Sidebar.

 

This should resolve it.

 

Thank you.

OK.  This is what I did and it worked.  I did a System Restore.  Just go to the Start menu, type in "System Restore". Click on it and just follow the steps.  But make sure you do a restore prior to the date that you noticed the sidebar not working.  After the restore make sure you re-due all your system and program update checks.

 

Later.