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General discussion

Windows Side Bar displaying in mutilated state

May 26, 2010 3:37PM PDT

My OS is Vista Ultimate 64bit. Suddenly the Side Bar is displaying in a mutilated state and there is nothing I can do to repair it.

Please suggest if and what is the solution?

Mahendra

Discussion is locked

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For now, turn off the Side Bar.
May 26, 2010 9:39PM PDT

If you need a clock and more, that Google Desktop can take over.
Bob

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Turning off Side Bar is not a solution
May 27, 2010 5:28PM PDT

Please note that I need to have the Side Bar Back. There must be a solution for this.

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Sidebar
May 27, 2010 6:09PM PDT

Hi Mkloyalka,

Try to type "SIDEBAR" in the start search box, then select W"indows Sidebar".

Maceman

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Already tried this
May 27, 2010 6:17PM PDT

I have already tried searching 'Side Bar' and clicking on but the Side Bar appears in the same mutilated form.

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Possible causes:
May 27, 2010 6:25PM PDT

1. Corrupted user profile: try a new Windows user.
2. Software changed: try system restore back to when it still worked.
3. Windows corrupted: try a repair install of your OS
4. Malware: try it in Safe Mode. If that works, find and remove the interfering software.
5. Some other cause: try a system recovery back to factory settings
6. Video issue: try another video card
7. Other hardware issue: try another PC

Somewhere on the line from 1 to 7 (inclusive) it will be solved.

Kees

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What is a User Profile?
May 27, 2010 7:01PM PDT

When I created the new User account all I was asked was the name of the user which I fed in. In addition I changed the picture. That's all. I don't know what is meant by User Profile?

Is that the problem?

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That's exactly what I meant.
May 27, 2010 8:21PM PDT

Create a new user account in Control Panel, login as that new user and see if it's OK there. If it is, keep using that user and the old corrupted one.

Kees

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User profile...
May 28, 2010 9:38AM PDT

Describes your account's properties, i.e. name, picture, your preferences, settings, etc. [as regards the sysstem]

As for the side bar, why do you "need to have it" ? If you can share, perhaps there are other solutions... How were you doing before when there was no side bar ?

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The Side Bar versus A Side Bar.
May 27, 2010 8:08PM PDT

It I compare the Google Desktop to the Vista Side Bar, I find little difference. I could use either.

While you figure this out I am offering an alternative.
Bob