Program and Favorite list icons

[gyron1]

Hello Gents,

I might have had this little problem before but forgot what to do, sorry.

All the icons in my internet favorites list and program list (via the start menu), have lost their proper picture type format and now have 'file' or 'explorer' (in the case of favorites list) type icons.

Don't know what caused this change but how can I correct situation please.

Thank you,

Gyron

[gyron1]

Hello,

I have done an internet search on this and am unable to find a solution - maybe I am asking wrong question!

Although not a serious problem it is annoying me.

Any ideas for solution would be welcome please.

Thanks,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

By the sound of things your Iconcache.db file has become corrupted (located at C: /Documents and Settings/Username/Local Settings/Application Data)

To force a rebuild of the data base try deleting Iconcache.bd (to the Recycle Bin) and then log off and back in again. A new file with the same name, but with the current date, should be created in that folder.

If at this stage the icons are not back to normal then try a reboot.

If this fails to resolve the issue can you let us know which XP Service Pack you have?

Edit: In order to view this file (Iconcache.db) you may have to make it visible.

With the Application Data folder open click Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab.

Scroll down to Hidden Files and Folders and check ‘Show hidden files and folders’. Click Apply.

[gyron1]

Hi Rich,

Thank you for responding (once again).

Followed your suggestion but the IconCache was not 'rebuilt' after either option - logoff/logon or reboot (restart).

At this stage I restored the iconcache from the Recycle bin.

My software is MS Windows XP Pro, Service Pack 2.

As you know I use, for the time being, the Norton Software and so have the Windows auto update disabled. I also have and use TuneUp utilities. I don't know if the latter could have done something 'in the background'.

This problem is relatively recent but know exact date - maybe a week.

Kind regards,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

I have just forced a rebuild of iconcache on one of my older machines running XP Pro with SP2 and there was no problem, so I have no idea why your machine is failing to do the same. Norton possibly....?

Have you by any chance run TuneUp 1 Click Maintenance recently, manually or by schedule? This does tend to throw in the odd hiccup. The software does have a Rescue Center which is worth investigation.

EDIT: You could also try a Windows system restore back to a date that you are sure that all was OK....

[gyron1]

Hello Rich,

It's intersting that your machine rebuilds the icon cache while mine refuses.

I have 3 files (Administrator, Default User and 'my name', all of which have their own icon cache - none of them rebuilds when 'deleted'. The only difference between these 3 cache's is that both the Administrator and Default user files are 5738 KB while 'My Nmae' file is only 5008 KB.

I have tried both System Restore and TuneUp Utilities restore to no no avail.

Kind regards,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

I am stumped at the moment, but I will do some research and get back to you...

The current forum problems don’t help as it has taken 5 minutes to open this thread!

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

Have a look at this link:

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/repair-icons-windows-xp-using-tweak-ui/

I have no experience with this software but it looks hopeful...

[gyron1]

Hello Rich,

Yes I had trouble getting back to you as well.

When reading your link it suggested that I save my desktop format/layout via the link provided.

At this new link the instructions read;

'Installing the Layout.dll shell extension

To add the shell extension, download layout.zip and save it to a folder.
Unzip the archive and extract the files to your Desktop.
Move the file LAYOUT.DLL to the Windows\System32 folder.
Right-click LAYOUT.REG and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.'

I am not sure of the instructions provided and would appreciate a bit of help please. I saved the zip file to 'my documents' as suggested, but what do they mean 'extract files to your desktop'? Do they mean move or copy zip file to the desktop and open it there?

Also when saving the LAYOUT.DLL to Windows\System32 folder I cannot find a LAYOUT.REG file in System32. Where do you think it is.

Sorry to be a pain!!

Kind regards,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

The procedure you are querying is only necessary if you wish to retain the positions of the icons on your desktop. If you only have a few of them then this is possibly irrelevant as you can always reposition after running the application.

However, in answer to your questions:

Do they mean move or copy zip file to the desktop and open it there?

Right click layout .zip and select ‘Extract files...’ For the location choose ‘Desktop’. This will extract the files in the Zip (archive) file to your Desktop.

You should then see three files – LAYOUT.DLL, LAYOUT.REG and Uninstall.REG.

Either cut or copy and paste the LAYOUT.DLL to the Windows\System32 folder .

Then back to the LAYOUT.REG file (on your desktop) - Right-click LAYOUT.REG and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.

Quite honestly this is a bit over the top, unless of course you desperately need to retain desktop icon positions.

Prior to doing any of the above I suggest that you create a system restore point.

I hope that this helps.