Windows sidebar unstable

Question

I have a brand-new Dell Inspiron 6400 with Vista. I had to deactivate the windows sidebar because about every second time I started the PC I got a message telling me that the sidebar had to be closed (I think it's again because of the Data Execution Prevention Program). How can one feature of Vista consider another feature of Vista unsafe. Could that be Artificial Intelligence or a sign of self-consciousness? :-)

GioAguilar · Answer

I had a problem, and it was because an specific gadget, one fot the time, I remember it gave me an option to see some specifications, and I found the gadget with the prolem, after that, no problems with sidebar, but I can't remember the exactly message I got.

alamandrax · Answer

I'd place the blame on the gadget too. Just disable all the gadgets in your sidebar and start adding them one after the other. check which one throws the error and get rid of it.

ojmasters · Answer

So, does Windows have a complete solution to the problem?

alamandrax · Answer

I should suppose not. If it's a problem with the Gadget, then it's the submitter's responsibility to fix the bugs in it. Not MSft's

ojmasters · Answer

I guess I don't really understand Gadgets. Where do they come from? I thought they just came with the OS.

Gaston-63 · Answer

FYI: I use only gadgets that came with Vista, so it is MS's fault. I have reactivated the sidebar some days ago and it has been stable ever since, I wonder for how long...

ojmasters · Answer

My laptop is brand new, obviously so is the Vista OS. It is a Dell laptop so I submitted the issue to Dell. I was told to call a certain number to have the issue resolved as it needs to be dealt with in an interactive manner. If no one else in the forum has done the same thing I will share what Dell had to say if there is a permanent solution...unless someone else already has the solution and would like to share. My incident happened right after I re-installed the audio driver. Don't know if that has any bearing on the matter. I'll see.......

SUE99 · Answer

Hi, I too have just bought a new computer (Dell Inspiron 6400) with Vista loaded, and am also having problems with the Windows Sidebar 'stopped working' issue, and the Data Execution Prevention Program closing it. Do you have any updated news on this following your contact with Dell?

John I of W · Answer

Did you ever get an answer to the problem of the Sidebar being closed down by Data Execution Prevention.   I have a Dell C521 with Vista Home Premium and the problem is ongoing, any help would be appreciated.

ojmasters · Answer

Sorry to say but no. I sent a tech support to Dell and they said I had to call but I never did. In the meantime my solution was to avoid most of the gadgets. I think that's where the real problem is. Ever since I did that I've never had a problem.   One day I will call Dell and see what their solution is.

Windows General

Windows sidebar unstable

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