DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Vista Sidebar & Power Query

10 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/vista-sidebar-power-query.80684/

narangz
narangz Original post #1
Feb 20, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Hi!
I want to remove the greyish/blackish effect in the Vista sidebar area. Is it possible?

Secondly my laptop Compaq V3425AU shows the battery power remaining in percentage only. I want it to show the remaining time also. Please suggest some way.

Thank you!
L
legolas #2
Feb 20, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I am afraid, to my knowledge, the first query would not be possible, as the sidebar itself is a gradient of black fading to background, and it doesn't have any other in-built options.

regarding your second query, I am again afraid, Vista's option doesn't help you much in that regard. May be you have search your manufacturer's website for additional drivers that lets you override the controls for battery and hopefully provide you with those options.

I am sorry I couldn't be of much help here...
Choto Cheeta
Feb 20, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Hello, do you mean you want to see like this bellow screenshot image ??

*img301.imageshack.us/img301/4426/10537819vk6.jpg
L
legolas #4
Feb 20, 2008 at 7:39 PM
yes, exactly, how can we do that??
EDIT: I guess it comes automatically when the power goes off and the % declines to < 100%. I just recollected seeing the time when my laptop was out of power too...
narangz
narangz #5
Feb 20, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Hello, do you mean you want to see like this bellow screenshot image ??

*img301.imageshack.us/img301/4426/10537819vk6.jpg

Exactly! I need it to show remaining time alongwith the percentage! However my laptop shows only percentage.
narangz
narangz #6
Feb 21, 2008 at 12:35 PM
So isn't it possible?

This is what i get:
*img102.imageshack.us/img102/9518/powerzn8.jpg
Vishal Gupta
Feb 21, 2008 at 1:46 PM
^^ For changing the background color, you'll need to edit sidebar.exe file and change the required resources. Otherwise you can use following software which can easily change the background:

Windows Sidebar Styler: Tweak Windows Vista Sidebar Functionality
narangz
narangz #8
Feb 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Okay thanks! Also please suggest something for the remaining time thing.
Choto Cheeta
Feb 22, 2008 at 11:42 PM
So isn't it possible?

This is what i get:
*img102.imageshack.us/img102/9518/powerzn8.jpg

Change the power plan to any Default Vista power plan and reboot :) see if that helps :)
narangz
narangz #10
Feb 26, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Thank you for your reply, Sir. :)

I haven't tried it yet. I shall reply when I try it.

UPDATE-
It doesn't help :( This is what I get:
*img505.imageshack.us/img505/7645/capgm2.jpg