Sidebar software to cover up dead pixel bar

M0RGAN on 26/07/2016 - 23:04
Last edited 27/07/2016 - 00:25

Hi, my laptop has had a 1 cm vertical bar of dead pixels on the left side since starting up today. Unfortunately it is out of warranty and the quote for a replacement monitor was $1000! In the meantime, can someone recommend some Windows software with a sidebar to place over this that pushes everything (including the Start button) to the right, so that elements on the left side aren't cut off? Windows Sidebar, despite the name, is just floating gadgets and not a dockable bar…

EDIT
I'm using Windows 7. I managed to download a Windows Vista style shell for Windows Sidebar that I can adjust to perfectly cover the defect (so that maximised windows don't get cut off), but the start button and left side of the start menu is still obscured.

Computing

Comments

  • xoom on 26/07/2016 - 23:43

    Why dont you move the taskbar to the left where the dead pixel is?

    • M0RGAN on 27/07/2016 - 00:22

      If I do that, I wouldn't be able to see any of the taskbar, rather than just the start button… It's an entire dead black band.

  • Master Bates on 26/07/2016 - 23:44

    You haven't mentioned which version of Windows you are using, but you can just move the taskbar

  • derek324 on 27/07/2016 - 04:58

    Rainmeter https://www.rainmeter.net is immensely flexible, there is huge amount of skins created by users to do just about anything. It is also easily customizable: you can tailor it to do just about anything you want. It requires some patience and experiments if you want something unusual. Free.

  • rickxs on 27/07/2016 - 09:38

    try http://www.winstep.net/nexus.asp I use it as an auto hide top bar but can be used on the left/right/bottom permanently
    there is plenty of settings ,prob more than you need :)you can even enter the START button & use as normal
    Right click on dock - insert new dock item/ internal command /desktop /start menu / …drag to where you want it
    also add more programs to make dock longer[just drag & drop ]
    https://postimg.org/image/ze4mn89jr/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ZvMZqqTdE shows overview

  • MiniMoo on 28/07/2016 - 22:12

    If you're handy with a screwdriver you might be able to replace the LCD panel yourself, depending upon laptop model. See if you can find tutorials on YouTube or teardowns or service manuals on websites. Then search eBay, etc for replacement panels.

  • kywst on 05/08/2016 - 17:53

    Intel, AMD or NVIDIA? custom scan data is the query you are looking for.

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