VAIOXP/2003 Preview Build #2, Come and get it! Options

[Rafael]

Big congrats to ourselves (ZoRoNaX and Rafael) for our second release!
(thanks to Ricardo for last minute testing, Stan for testing/patience with WSS + VAIO compatibility, Microsoft C++ dev. lead for WinSxS support, etc.)

Prerequisites:

• Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package
• Internet Explorer 7
• Wireless LAN API (KB918997) (VAIOXP users only)
• Windows Media Player 11 (Windows Sidebar users)

Resources:
Please read the documentation before and after installation!

• Documentation (rev. 4)
• Preview Build 2 rev. 3 build 4 (for Windows XP) [Dial-up Users] | [High-speed mirror]
• Preview Build 2 rev. 3 build 4 (for Windows Server 2003) [Dial-up Users] | [High-speed mirror]
• Application Compatibility Matrix

Highlights

• Full Windows Sidebar Styler support in-box
• Full Windows Vista Sidebar RTM support in-box, including WPF gadgets (using WSS above)
• Added code for developers to "detect" VAIO
• WiX built installer! (MSI)
• Added additional API; Now support Texas Hold'Em in-box
• Added digital signatures on all libraries
• Added some preliminary code for preview build #3...

Links:

• Bug tracker
• Windows Sidebar Styler 2.0 Discussion

Frequently Asked Questions
(updated January 20th, 11:11pm EST)

Q. How do I contact you guys?
A. Before using the means below, please make sure you file a bug.

1. VAIO Developers: zoronax or rafael @ fromvistatoxp.com
2. Windows Sidebar Styler 2.0 issues: http://www.stoyanoff.info/contact/

Q. The documentation (r4) refers to a manifest.xml file being present in the root VAIO folder. Where is it?
A. This has been fixed in revision 5, to be released later. You'll find the manifest.xml file in the Libraries\ folder. Do not move it.

Q. How do I register Sidebar's DLLs (sbdrop/wlsvcs)? I receive the error: The specified module could not be found.
A. This error is a result of one of the following reasons:

1. regsvr32.exe and/or regsvr32.exe.manifest are missing from the Sidebar folder
2. The regsvr32.exe.manifest is missing/incorrectly named
3. Visual C++ 2005 Redist. not installed

Q. How do I fix my currency gadget (square issue)?
A. We are trying to reproduce this behavior. Please contact us!

Q. How do I fix my Sidebar after installing Windows Sidebar Styler 2.0 (freezes and/or error)?
A. We are trying to reproduce this behavior with the help of the developer. Please contact us!
Workaround: Delete both sfc.dll and SidebarWpfExt.dll files from the Sidebar directory.

Q. How do I get WPF-powered gadgets working? -or- Why am I receiving a "Sidebar failed to initialize" error?
A. Please make sure you read all documentation. The .Net Framework 3.0 is required for WPF functionalities on non-Vista platforms. If you still have problems, please contact us!

Q. Why is my Slideshow gadget in Sidebar acting wierd (zoomed in too much, blurred, etc.)
A. This may be a bug with our IShellImageFactory interface implementation. Please contact us!

Q. Can I use more than one Sidebar at a time?
A. No.

Q. Can I hack Sidebar to run more than one instance of itself?
A. No.

Q. Why do I need to install the Wireless API update? I don't have bloody wireless!
A. This requirement is only enforced for VAIOXP users. We're sorry to impose such a requirement, however to keep our code light and less error-prone, we remove support for functionalities that Microsoft backports.

Q. Ok, why enforce the Wireless API update requirement on XP only? What about those pesky Windows Server 2003 users?
A. Microsoft has not released (nor plans to) the Wireless API update for any other platform.

Q. Can I use beta, RC#, and/or final keys?
A. Keys need to be matched with media. The use of beta keys is not supported, although release candidate builds should work. If you have issues, please contact us.

Q. What is the replacement for the __ShowPKDialog function (vslc.dll)?
A. There is no replacement. That function was temporary.

Q. Ok, how do I input a key post-setup?
A. You can't with this build, sorry. Please uninstall VAIO Preview Build #2 and reinstall.

Q. Is store.bin compatible with data.bin?
A. Yes, absolutely. The file name was altered for cosmetic reasons.

Q. Why is my shell extension not being registered? I tried to register it manually and received the error:
This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect

A. Please install the VC++ runtimes, as indicated in the prerequisites section. We tried to eliminate this prerequisite by merging the runtimes into our MSI. We missed ATL and its policies, however, causing this behavior.

[Bryant]

Nicely done.

[ricktendo64]

Thank you Rafael and ZoRoNaX for VAIO, the best thing to happen to XP

[''El'' Buga™]

I found an error in the instructions regarding Windows Sidebar:

Copy manifest.xml from your root VAIO directory into the directory containing sbdrop.dll and wlsrvc.dll. Rename the file to regsvr32.exe.manifest.

manifest.xml isn't in the root VAIO folder, but in the \Libraries folder.

EDIT: Well, I can't register the DLLs, I logged out then needed to reboot because of the XP update, the VAIO environmental variable is correctly inserted into my system (this I believe), but the ./regsvr32 commands fail to load.

"The specified module could not be found."



EDIT #2: Well, nvm... Sidebar is working almost normally, apparently. The Weather gadget is working, but the Currency one still displays one a square in the two fields.

[Midan]

W00t, thanks for releasing, it'll take me a little to get it installed. I'm an idiot at times.

[Rafael]

I found an error in the instructions regarding Windows Sidebar

Thanks, changed in r5 of documentation!

"The specified module could not be found."

Please install Dependency Walker and drag/drop your DLL into it (ignore any errors/warnings). After doing so, click File, Save As... and send me the resulting DWI file (email above).

[vista custo]

I guess wpf gadgets wont run in xp

[Rafael]

I guess wpf gadgets wont run in xp

Works fine.

[vista custo]

hmm i must of done something wrong then

[Rafael]

hmm i must of done something wrong then

You need to be more specific if you want help

[vista custo]

when i try to enable the gadget it just freezes up i just installed preview build 2 do i need anything else to get WPF to work correctly?

[Rafael]

when i try to enable the gadget it just freezes up i just installed preview build 2 do i need anything else to get WPF to work correctly?

Well you need Windows Sidebar Styler, .NET 3.0 framework, etc.

[vista custo]

I can't get the WPF gadgets to work, maybe its because im using the 5744 sidebar i installed the sidebar styler and then the sidebar fails to initalize, and now im confused

[Rafael]

I can't get the WPF gadgets to work, maybe its because im using the 5744 sidebar i installed the sidebar styler and then the sidebar fails to initalize, and now im confused

That error is common with people that fail to install the .net 3.0 framework.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Works for me on Sidebar 5739/5754 builds.

[vista custo]

Thanks Rafael i will use the full installer this time when installing .net framework 3.0 just to be safe