Ran Spybot S&D and CCleaner and now Sidebar doesn't load in Vista

Are you able to start it manually by going to programs -> Accessories?  Maybe it got disabled on the startup.

Press the Windows + R button to get to run command and type in msconfig.  Then go to the Startup tab and check the one with Microsoft Windows Operating System with command c:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /autorun

when I click on it from programs accessories the computer thinks for just a second and then nothing happens

ok when I tried to put in
Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"

I got an error that the file didn't exsist so I tried removing the (x86) and tried again but got this error

"The module "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll" was loaded but the call to DllRgisterServer failed with the error code 0x80040154 For more information about this problem search online using the error code as a search term

Can you verify sbdrop.dll exists?

ya I can see the file in C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\

unregsiter once again (Regsvr32 -u "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll") and restart.

Then reregister with Regsvr32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"

ok the unregister worked

but when I did the register I got the error

The module "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll" was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x80040154.

You are using the elveated command prompt, right?  Right-click command prompt and lauch as administrator?

yep just tried it again to confirm I am doing it from an admin lvl prompt
same error

Have you tried doing a system restore?  If not restore the computer to a couple days ago and see if that fixes it.

hmm there has to be something else

Does that mean system restore is not an option?

and when I go to windows sidebar properties
start sidebar when windows starts is checked
arrangement sidebar is always ontop of other windows is checked
and its set to display on the right side of monitor 1

maintenance:
both buttons are grayed out so view list and restore gadgets neither one should be clicked

ya I have restore turned off

Try system file checker.  Open and elevated command prompt and type:
sfc /scannow  and press enter

The scan will find and fix problems with the windows system files.  You may need your Vista DVD if prompted

Also i found an article with a few more DLLs re-registrations (among other potential issues) have a look... http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/forums/windows-vista/sidebar-stop-working-disappear-77902.html

ok it said it found some corrupt files and fixed them but it still didn't make it so sidebar can open up

I tried to re register ati.dll and it said it couldn't find it ati.dll
is there some other dll that I suppose to register before I register sbdrop.dll?
when I look in the windows sidebar folder I only see sbdrop.dll and wlsrvc.dll

Hmm... I am assuming the link's suggestions didn't help with registering the side bar DLL either?  I would try uninstalling your video card and reintstalling the latest driver then in that case.  Then try registering the sbdrop.dll again.  Also, what exactly did you do last night to speed up the computer?  Have you tried going back and undoing any changes you made to see if it comes back?  If not i would try that.  Might have been something you removed or shut off by accident that the sidebar needs to operate.

yeah that ati.dll has to do with that guys particular video card.  He must have an ATI video card.  You won't have an ATI.dll if you don't have an ATI video card.  So to ensure your video is correct i would reinstall your video drivers.

You should be registering ATL.DLL, not ATI - see my original post. ATL.DLL (Active Template Library ) is required for Windows Sidebar as the sidebar is C++

whew that got it ATL.dll I registered that first then the others and now it works
thanks for all your help
sorry about the confusion

haha well glad my failure to understand completely the sidebar helped in finding out what was going wrong with jss1199's fix.