[NoOrdinaryRabbit]

I'm running Server 2008 x64 Datacenter pretty much the same way and I'm somewhat impressed with it over Vista x64... it feels more robust and seems more secure.

Someone needs to figure out a way to install and run sidebar on Server without installing Vista in order to do it. Seems there should be a way to extract it from the archived files on the Vista DVD ala the old days of extracting drivers and needed files from the Win98 CD's cab files.

But things such as that I leave for those with more free time than what I have.

I guess I had the free time

You'll need a file manager, such as 7-Zip, that can read WIM archives. I'll assume you are running Server 2008 x64 and have a Vista x64 CD or image.

1. Load the Vista x64 CD or mount the image.
2. Start 7-Zip (or equivalent) and navigate to the Vista x64 volume.
3. Open the \sources\install.wim\1\Program Files folder.
4. Copy the Windows Sidebar folder from the Vista x64 volume to your PC's C:\Program Files folder.
5. Open a Command Prompt (CMD) window as Administrator.
6. In the CMD window, run C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /RegServer
7. Run regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"
8. Run regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\wlsrvc.dll"
9. Close the CMD window.
10. Open the Registry Editor, REGEDIT.
11. Navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
12. Create a key called Sidebar.
13. Open the Sidebar key.
14. Create a key named Compatibility.
15. Create a key named Settings.
16. Open the Settings key.
17. Create a value of type REG_SZ named SidebarDockedPartsOrder with data 0x1,0x2,0x3,0x4.
18. Close REGEDIT.
19. Run C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe to start the Sidebar.

And away you go...


Malcolm

[Grav!ty]

Excellent work Malcolm thank you I'm going to do that for sure as I could never get the sidebar working properly copying it from a Vista install.

[JabbaPapa]

I'm running Server 2008 x64 Datacenter pretty much the same way and I'm somewhat impressed with it over Vista x64... it feels more robust and seems more secure.

Someone needs to figure out a way to install and run sidebar on Server without installing Vista in order to do it. Seems there should be a way to extract it from the archived files on the Vista DVD ala the old days of extracting drivers and needed files from the Win98 CD's cab files.

But things such as that I leave for those with more free time than what I have.

I guess I had the free time

You'll need a file manager, such as 7-Zip, that can read WIM archives. I'll assume you are running Server 2008 x64 and have a Vista x64 CD or image.

1. Load the Vista x64 CD or mount the image.
2. Start 7-Zip (or equivalent) and navigate to the Vista x64 volume.
3. Open the \sources\install.wim\1\Program Files folder.
4. Copy the Windows Sidebar folder from the Vista x64 volume to your PC's C:\Program Files folder.
5. Open a Command Prompt (CMD) window as Administrator.
6. In the CMD window, run C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /RegServer
7. Run regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sbdrop.dll"
8. Run regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\wlsrvc.dll"
9. Close the CMD window.
10. Open the Registry Editor, REGEDIT.
11. Navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
12. Create a key called Sidebar.
13. Open the Sidebar key.
14. Create a key named Compatibility.
15. Create a key named Settings.
16. Open the Settings key.
17. Create a value of type REG_SZ named SidebarDockedPartsOrder with data 0x1,0x2,0x3,0x4.
18. Close REGEDIT.
19. Run C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe to start the Sidebar.

And away you go...


Malcolm

Seems like someone should create an installation package

[yeshuas]

I didn't see all this prior to finding this http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/ step by step convert server 2008 to a workstation, so I used the step by step and have mine all setup nice.

Have it loading without requiring ctrl alt delete each time, have the sidebar, aero, the whole nine yards.
I did find that some of the steps this guy has you do really need to be done from the Admin login e.g. the sidebar and themes I think it was, so I had to switch users and follow the steps and then switch back to the created user and repeat the steps but now it is cuil (cool) lol

[yeshuas]

Another thing I miss is the snipping tool that Vista has, I found one but it is not as nice as and as clean to use as the original