The Calendar gadget in the Windows Sidebar may display blank content, showing only the plain orange background. Also, the Stocks Gadget may not show up when you add it to the Sidebar. This problem is usually caused by a missing scripting run-time registration.

Registering VBScript.DLL
Registering the vbscript.dll file from an admin Command Prompt fixes the problem. Follow these steps:
1. Open an Admin Command Prompt window. To do so, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and press ENTER:
You should see the following message after running the command:
DllRegisterServer in vbscript.dll succeeded.

3. Restart Windows and see if the Calendar and Stocks Gadgets render correctly.

That doesn’t help? Fix the Zones Registry Key
Of late, we’ve seen several cases where an additional IE Security Zone registry key causing this problem. The additional security zone may have been added by a Malware, could appear as a pseudo-graphic number listed before zone number 0. The fix listed below is the same as the one documented in post Gadgets are Not Displayed Correctly in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
Run the Fix-It Solution from Microsoft
[Windows 7 Users] Download the Fix it solution by clicking the image above, and run the executable. The problem should be taken care of, automatically.
To Fix the Problem Manually
1. Click Start, type Regedit.exe and press {ENTER}
2. Navigate to the following branch:

3. Under the Zones key, delete the subkey shown with an ASCII character, as in the above graphic.

4. Exit the Registry Editor.
5. Logoff and login back to your account.
Still doesn’t work after trying the above steps? Drop your comment below, and let’s see if we can work on this issue further.
Related Posts
- How to Fix Sidebar Crash “Windows Desktop Gadgets Has Stopped Working”
- How to Use Sidebar 32-Bit Mode in Windows 7 and Windows Vista 64-Bit Editions to Run Silverlight Gadgets
- Fix Currency, Stock or Weather Gadgets Not Updating in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Why There Are Two Instances of Sidebar.exe Running
- Installation of Windows Sidebar Gadgets Is Managed by Your System Administrator
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what I also discoverd and this could be caused by same course of problem:
- iGoogle can not be started from IE9 (from Google Chrome and Safari no problem)
- Logitech device drives of Webcam Pro9000 w7 x64 cannot be installed
- Sidebare does not work, gadgets do not work as stated, also local gadgets like AVG as well as HP AiO gadget do not work (corrupted on the screen).
- when starting Google there comes a window right above in the screen, Install Google Crome (this is blue knob which work, normal link) however exit this screen via X in the samll Google screen in IE9 does not work, The cursor normally changes from arrow to hand symbol when on X, now no reaction and action on X.
there is no subkey regarding ASCII character
The latest updates (October 2011) fixes this glitch once and for all!
Tried everything. Stopped working after downloading Norton 360 update and reboot.
ran a msconfig disabled adobe= success!
Ken Lovell has the solution above.
You need to close all gadgets first or it won’t let you delete Settings.ini
The path on my Windows 7 is:
Users\name you’re signed in as\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsSidebar\Settings
I had tried everything suggested to get my gadget calendar back, but what worked is the note Jonnie posted – Ran a msconfig, and disabled all things adobe. Hooray
gadgets working again.
So glad…
Here’s something that will work when all else fails. Change your folder options so that you can see the hidden folders and files. Then go to your “Users\name you’re signed in as\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsSidebar” folder and delete the Settings.ini file. Restore your folder view option back to hide hidden folders, files, and drives. Reboot and enjoy…
HEY. had ther same problem. Ran a msconfig, and disabled all things adobe. Hooray
gadgets working again.
Running win7 pro 64-bit
Thanks for your efforts, but to no avail here. I had this happen some time ago, but I can’t remember how I resolved it. it is more annoying than troublesome. I have bookmarked this page so if I remember, I get back.