Solved Gadgets under windows 8

gallicbear

Member
Member
Messages
109
I know, Microsoft no longer supports gadgets. I have installed the 8GadgetPack. Some of you are familiar with that? It works well. The problem I ran into is that is does not update the temperature gadgets. They always show the same temp. Weird... It's not that maybe a station is not reporting. I have tried 2 or 3. Same results, even reinstalled. Does anyone have an idea? Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
I would recommend RainMeter as a good replacement.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Thanks, Tepid. I'll keep that in mind, but it's not really what I was looking for. Seems too intrusive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
Can you explain intrusive?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
What I meant is that it changes my entire desktop with a new look instead of adding a little gadget here or there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
You can turn off certain skins/layouts, it's a little bit of a learning curve. But honestly,, it's better than Gadgets.

Or see this one,, I created LucidDock by ~LucidDiminution on deviantART

There are some updates I will be doing to it,, like adding back in some network info stuff as well as a couple more icons for quick access.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Thanks Dirtyvu and Tepid. I tried rainmeter. Didn't care for it. Sorry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
You should check out CoreTemp. I used that in Win7 and copied it to Win8. Only problem is that it requires .NET 3.5 to be installed, and MS has made it very hard to install, as the usual way (Windows Features) does not work. However, if you attempt this, you will get an error screen and it will have a link to a detailed explanation (from MS) on HOW to do that install -- it requires Win8 installation media.
 

My Computer

My computer started with Windows 7 Home Basic, and it now includes Windows 8 Pro and Windows XP on separate partitions. I cannot get any temperature monitor to work on any of them, but my rig runs fine.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thank you all for your tips. But so far, nobody has explained to me why gadgets do not work on Windows 8. I'll mark this as solved. Nobody understands that I would like a technical explanation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
Sorry, Gallicbear, but I hadn't known about your post. The gadgets work fine on both Windows 7 and 8. But MS has discovered that if hackers ever figure out a way to get into those gadgets, they will be able to wreck you up. Obviously, MS won't explain how this can be done, but since gadgets are one of their big selling pints, I believe them.

I've downloaded a free program that lets me run the gadgets, and I love them. They are working well on both 7 and 8 for me, but I keep an eye on the web for new threats and I'll delete the gadgets if there ever is a threat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thank you all for your tips. But so far, nobody has explained to me why gadgets do not work on Windows 8. I'll mark this as solved. Nobody understands that I would like a technical explanation.

I would think that allowing the weather gadget through Windows firewall would work.

I added both an outgoing and incoming connection rule in the Windows firewall for sidebar.exe but don't think it's working.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Google the following "8GadgetPack" without quotes of course.

With this utility you can run ALL the Gadgets you were running in Windows 7.

Including: CoreTemp ~ Weather ~ Calendar ~ etc. :cool:

Regards,

FFL
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit MediaCenter Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    AMDx6 Thuban 1075T
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte MS785MS-US2H
    Memory
    OZC 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (AMD) ATi HD4670 1 GB
    Sound Card
    onboard AMD HDMI HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 27" LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Series SSD 120 GB boot drive
    3x OCZ 60 GB Vertex II SSD
    WD5000AAKS 500 GB external drive dock
    Samsung HD501LJ 500 GB external drive dock
    Seagate 1.5 TB external; drive dock
    PSU
    OCZ-MXSP 500w
    Case
    Thermaltake Mid-Tower
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
    Keyboard
    Logitech - AccessKeyboard 600 USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M314
    Internet Speed
    31.88 Down 5.11 Up
    Other Info
    Windows Home Server 10 TB Storage.
Thanks, FarFromLoozen. If you read my post, you will see that I did install that very program, but with different results. That's what puzzles me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
MY Bad, Must read entire post from now on.

What temperature gadget is not updating?

FFL
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit MediaCenter Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    AMDx6 Thuban 1075T
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte MS785MS-US2H
    Memory
    OZC 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (AMD) ATi HD4670 1 GB
    Sound Card
    onboard AMD HDMI HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 27" LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Series SSD 120 GB boot drive
    3x OCZ 60 GB Vertex II SSD
    WD5000AAKS 500 GB external drive dock
    Samsung HD501LJ 500 GB external drive dock
    Seagate 1.5 TB external; drive dock
    PSU
    OCZ-MXSP 500w
    Case
    Thermaltake Mid-Tower
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
    Keyboard
    Logitech - AccessKeyboard 600 USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M314
    Internet Speed
    31.88 Down 5.11 Up
    Other Info
    Windows Home Server 10 TB Storage.
Hi FarFromLozen. Only the MSN is available, and it doesn't update. Maybe it's a firewall issue. But that's one of the things I would like to know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
I use CoreTemp to monitor temps and the CoreTemp Gadget on the Desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit MediaCenter Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    AMDx6 Thuban 1075T
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte MS785MS-US2H
    Memory
    OZC 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (AMD) ATi HD4670 1 GB
    Sound Card
    onboard AMD HDMI HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 27" LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Series SSD 120 GB boot drive
    3x OCZ 60 GB Vertex II SSD
    WD5000AAKS 500 GB external drive dock
    Samsung HD501LJ 500 GB external drive dock
    Seagate 1.5 TB external; drive dock
    PSU
    OCZ-MXSP 500w
    Case
    Thermaltake Mid-Tower
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
    Keyboard
    Logitech - AccessKeyboard 600 USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M314
    Internet Speed
    31.88 Down 5.11 Up
    Other Info
    Windows Home Server 10 TB Storage.
Yes, I use CoreTemp, too. It has nothing to do with those gadgets or with a sidebar. You can get it separately.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/ 8.1, Windows 10
    Browser
    Firefox
​Oh! Temperature, as in the weather....OK, your weather gadget stays on the same temp and never changes....not sure why I zeroed on on CPU Temp. Another Doh! on my part.

The MSN weather gadget I run works OK.

It's not the reporting stations because you tried several.

Do ANY of the other Gadgets work properly? Is it only the weather gadget that is not playing nice with Windows 8?

If so, it is strange. So I did some snooping around. I found others, a lot of others experiencing the same thing, except they were all running windows 7. So this may not apply, but worth looking into.

A registry Key had an entry that was not supposed to be there and is NOT there in systems running gadgets properly.

Here it is:


Click Start, type regedit.exe and press ENTER
Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet =
Settings\Zones\

Within the Zones folder I found an extra folder with name (L) which I have deleted and left the 0,1,2,3,4 folder as such then closed the window, rebooted the system. Finally I got my gadgets normal. Thanks for the help, hope this will work for others,

I have not tried the regedit above as my gadgets are working. Thought you might look at this registry key and see if it is also responsible for your issues.

Sorry about misunderstanding your post. I got fixated on CPU Temp. Might be that I look at my CPU Temps more than the temp outside.
:)

FFL

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit MediaCenter Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    AMDx6 Thuban 1075T
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte MS785MS-US2H
    Memory
    OZC 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    (AMD) ATi HD4670 1 GB
    Sound Card
    onboard AMD HDMI HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 27" LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Series SSD 120 GB boot drive
    3x OCZ 60 GB Vertex II SSD
    WD5000AAKS 500 GB external drive dock
    Samsung HD501LJ 500 GB external drive dock
    Seagate 1.5 TB external; drive dock
    PSU
    OCZ-MXSP 500w
    Case
    Thermaltake Mid-Tower
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
    Keyboard
    Logitech - AccessKeyboard 600 USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M314
    Internet Speed
    31.88 Down 5.11 Up
    Other Info
    Windows Home Server 10 TB Storage.
Back
Top