Question

Cannot restore Vista slideshow gadget

Asked by: Philipk

I've lost the little slideshow gadget from my Vista side bar. I've tried right clicking the side bar by doing this:

1.  Right-click Sidebar, and then click Add Gadgets.
2.  Double-click a gadget to add it.

but there is no option to add the slideshow. How can I get it back? Can it be downloaded from anywhere?

Thanks in advance!

Phil

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Asked On
2007-05-24 at 00:01:38ID22591828
Tags

gadgets

,

vista

Topics

Windows Vista

,

Microsoft Operating Systems

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
21

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Answers

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 01:11:27ID: 19147651

http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=a77b02ea-1a2b-4ccf-8849-a3e5c19798dd&l=1

Might not be the exact version you're after but should still do the trick

 

by: PhilipkPosted on 2007-05-24 at 01:51:39ID: 19147763

Hi, that looks more like a photo-sharing gadget, it's not clear from the description whether you have to upload your pictures somewhere first.

I don't want to share my pics with anyone. Ideally I'd like to get back the slideshow gadget that ships with Vista.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

by: ve3ofaPosted on 2007-05-24 at 02:05:29ID: 19147807

 

by: PhilipkPosted on 2007-05-24 at 03:08:16ID: 19148035

I've already been to that site (there is a link from the sidebar settings) but I can't find the correct gadget. Can you provide a direct link to the slideshow gadget?

 

by: vallisPosted on 2007-05-24 at 11:22:35ID: 19151554

Hello Philipk,
When you right click the sidebar and select properties, the resulting dialogue box should have a button "Restore gadgets installed with Windows".
Try that.
Vallis

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 14:57:44ID: 19153154

On my PC - that button is greyd out

I recall the slideshow gadget being on Vista Beta 2, and I've seen it on some laptops at PC shops, but it doesn't seem to be on my PC (Vista Ultimate 32bit)

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 16:32:50ID: 19153583

I have Vista Ultimate 32bit also, and on my Pc, I still have the Windows Slideshow, but like Ryan, the option for "Restore gadgets installed with Windows" is greyed out...

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:08:07ID: 19153713

May I suggest that LeeTutor uploads this file to ee-stuff for Phillip to get. I would have done it myself but I can't find the file on my PC. I never really used it as I saw it as a waste of space & resources. (I rarely see the sidebar unless I'm using it for something).

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:12:41ID: 19153743

How do I find out what the name of the file is?

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:16:59ID: 19153763

For now try searching for *.gadget
I don't know the exact path of installed gadgets but I think I know where to go to find out...

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:27:19ID: 19153812

I've found a bunch of files in the Windows folder that have slideshow and gadget in the name, for example:

program_files_windows_sidebar_gadgets_slideshow.gadget_1d53bb9c29c0aa6d.cdf-ms

program_files_windows_sidebar_gadgets_slideshow.gadget_en-us_23311f020fdd83c5.cdf-ms

And about a dozen others all with strange names like the above.  No idea which one(s) to upload...

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:34:57ID: 19153853

Just took a look at the Program Files folder.  There is a folder structure like this under that:

Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\SlideShow.Gadget
         \en-US\
                  \css\
                   \js\
          \images\

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:36:01ID: 19153864

I've found it on my PC (eventually). I've compiled it but there are a few instructions you need to follow (can be viewed in this link):
http://www.ee-stuff.com/Expert/Upload/getFile.php?fid=3512

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:37:09ID: 19153875

Just for your benefit Lee (and others) - here's how you compile a gadget file:

-----------------
A Vista Sidebar gadget consists of a number of files that are packaged in a ZIP or CAB file (with the .zip  or .cab file extensions replaced by .gadget).  
* NOTE – to view the files in any Sidebar gadget package, change the .gadget file extension back to .zip (or .cab) and then unpack the file.
The easiest way to package a Sidebar gadget with Windows Vista is as follows:
•      Select all the files in the root folder of the gadget (not including the root folder itself).
•      With all the files selected, right click the mouse.
•      In the menu that opens, select the Send To…/Compressed (zipped) Folder option.
•      Change the zipped file extension from .zip to .gadget.  
* NOTE – to view the file extension, you may first need to turn on Window Explorer’s option to show file extensions.
-----------------

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:47:15ID: 19153914

Where did you find the original slideshow.gadget file?

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:51:53ID: 19153925

I was searching for a document I had downloaded that told me how to create gadgets (which also contained the info that I posted just before). It mentioned the Program Files dir which is where I found it. Came back here to post my findings and you also found it by means of the search I got you to do. Turns out I had the file as well - but it didn't show up in the gallery.

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2007-05-24 at 17:58:04ID: 19153953

Well, now we'll just have to see if Philipk can download your file and regenerate the slideshow gadget...  Good job, Ryan.

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-24 at 18:14:28ID: 19154005

Strictly speaking, I had the same problem as the asker (although I wouldn't view it as such)  :)   --   following the intsructions I wrote on the ee-stuff page worked for me without a hickup.

/RR

 

by: PhilipkPosted on 2007-05-25 at 09:39:37ID: 19158232

Thanks for the responses. I don't have access to the PC right now, but I should get a chance to to try it out tomorrow, so I'll post back then.

 

by: PhilipkPosted on 2007-05-31 at 09:10:55ID: 19189362

Hi,

Ryan R's solution worked perfectly! Thanks to everyone for your support.

Phil

 

by: Ryan_RPosted on 2007-05-31 at 15:28:25ID: 19191949

You're welcome - enjoy your weekend.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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