I will make a guide here on how you can use vista sidebar in your xp machine. Please follow the guide carefully to prevent unnecessary problems
(any problems you might encounter will never require you to Reinstall your windows![so don't be afraid to try this]). YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GEEK TO BE ABLE FOLLOW THIS GUIDE!
1. Download sidebar 5744 resource and VAIO here.
NOTE: VAIO stands for Vista API Implementation on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Basically what it does is to make vista applications like sidebar, paint, etc. work in xp and windows server 2003. I only used VAIO to make sidebar work in my xp. I haven't tried the vista paint but some people say it works flawlessly in xp.
here's the VAIO project site:
http://www.fromvistatoxp.com/
2. Open and extract the downloaded file. You will something like this.
3. Now copy the "VAIO" folder on your drive C. So you will have something like this.
4. Go to "my computer" and right click and select "properties." Go to "advanced" tab and click "enviromental variables." Now click the "New" button under "User variables..." and enter the following:
Variable name: VAIO
Variable value: C:\VAIO
after inputing these, you need to log off.
5. after log in, go back to the downloaded files you extracted and double click on "RUNME.CMD." This will extract all the 5744 vista sidebar files on your "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar" for you automatically... it will then ask you to enter a valid RC2 key. (NOte: you can have rc2 keys posted in many websites.... i'm sure you can find one... if not let me know i may be able to help...)
6. now go to "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\" directory and locate these two files:
sbdrop.dll
wlsrvc.dll
Now right click on these two files respectively and click the option "Patch Vista Library"
7. Now in this same directory locate "sidebar.exe" and click it. The vista sidebar would then load.
Note: if you get an error and the sidebar would not load, right click the "sidebar.exe" file and click the option "Patch and Run Vista executable."
Another Note: If you want your sidebar to be faded just go to windows sidebar directory on your drive c. and rename the sidebar.exe to sidebar_dark and then rename the sidebar_clear to sidebar.exe. after this run the new sidebar.exe and you will have a faded side bar. if you want to go back to the dark sidebar, just do the same thing.
End result with transparent sidebar:
Note: if you want your sidebar to be transparent (curved etc.) like the image below just apply the patches by Ricktendo64. The instructions are there inside the file for you to follow. You can download the file
here.
Give this a try! It is easier than it looks. Any problem you might encounter please let me know and i will try to answer it as soon as i can [i will be away for vacation this xmas so i might check the web rarely for two weeks ]
Tutorial: Make Vista Sidebar Work in Xp
