Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

My icons on desktop have suddenly refused to be moved, and they've changed their identities in my taskbar. Solitaire icon is now appearing in front of the DVD Shrink program, Yahoo has the winZip icon, and so forth.  The icons aren't representing what they are supposed to be, although clicking on them in front of their new locations does bring up the proper program.
I checked to be sure active desktop is working;  I unlocked the icons on desktop menu,  but still cannot move them. They've lined up on the left side of my desktop screen, and are somehow locked and refuse to budge.  
 
My add remove plus program, when opened, has lots of yellow exclamation marks and very few icons representing the programs.  
 
I was losing my old hard drive a few months ago and had the entire old hard drive ghosted over to my new one. I didn't do it by myself as it needed a new motherboard and power supply, so I had the machine rebuilt by my techs whom had built my present XP machine. The ME machine is my spare.  
 
I run AVG and its updated nightly
Sygate is the firewall. I can't find any other that seems agreeable with my system.
I've defragged weekely, run virus scan, have a multutide of maintenance programs:
    AdAware
    Spybot
    Spywareblaster
    Registry Mechanic
    Window Washer
    RegistryHealer
 
I've got all of the most recent updates that the Windows update site offers for ME.  I had been running Firefox as my default browser, but even that slowed to a crawl and then eventually, would open once, and then wouldn't open at all if I closed it before shutting down for the night.  I would have to reboot to get it to open a second time. It even had begun not entirely loading when first opening it, missing task bars and features.  
 
I've since installed Maxthon as my default browser,  and my machine seems happy using that.  
 
Would you have any suggestions of anything I might try to do to try and make repairs to my icon problem before I  end up having  to take the machine back to the techs to try and have them figure out what might be causing this problem?
TIA.....
Bev

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

The "icons changing randomly to something else" is actually quite a common
problem in W98x/WinME.  I developed the same problem. It started with a
couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
 
http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
 
Also.. do a google for "icons change randomly" for an exhaustive education
on the matter.
 
Hope this helps!
....Ogg
 
 
"caroskos" <bevcarr2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsDR#I6qlFHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
My icons on desktop have suddenly refused to be moved, and they've changed
their identities in my taskbar. Solitaire icon is now appearing in front of
the DVD Shrink program, Yahoo has the winZip icon, and so forth.  The icons
aren't representing what they are supposed to be, although clicking on them
in front of their new locations does bring up the proper program.
I checked to be sure active desktop is working;  I unlocked the icons on
desktop menu,  but still cannot move them. They've lined up on the left side
of my desktop screen, and are somehow locked and refuse to budge.
 
My add remove plus program, when opened, has lots of yellow exclamation
marks and very few icons representing the programs.
 
I was losing my old hard drive a few months ago and had the entire old hard
drive ghosted over to my new one. I didn't do it by myself as it needed a
new motherboard and power supply, so I had the machine rebuilt by my techs
whom had built my present XP machine. The ME machine is my spare.
 
I run AVG and its updated nightly
Sygate is the firewall. I can't find any other that seems agreeable with my
system.
I've defragged weekely, run virus scan, have a multutide of maintenance
programs:
    AdAware
    Spybot
    Spywareblaster
    Registry Mechanic
    Window Washer
    RegistryHealer
 
I've got all of the most recent updates that the Windows update site offers
for ME.  I had been running Firefox as my default browser, but even that
slowed to a crawl and then eventually, would open once, and then wouldn't
open at all if I closed it before shutting down for the night.  I would have
to reboot to get it to open a second time. It even had begun not entirely
loading when first opening it, missing task bars and features.
 
I've since installed Maxthon as my default browser,  and my machine seems
happy using that.
 
Would you have any suggestions of anything I might try to do to try and make
repairs to my icon problem before I  end up having  to take the machine back
to the techs to try and have them figure out what might be causing this
problem?
TIA.....
Bev

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote..
 
> .... I developed the same problem. It started with a
> couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
> desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
> found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
>
 
Just a follow-up on MY specific case.  I deleted the ShellIconCache file
that was recommended to do in the MSKB.  Bootup went fine... Icons populate
fine on the desktop.  But now there is no sign of the ShellIconCache file!
Interesting.  According to the article, I had the impression that file was
supposed to regenerate or refresh.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Ogg wrote:
> "Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote..
>  
>  
>>.... I developed the same problem. It started with a
>>couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
>>desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
>>found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>>
>>http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q132/6/68.asp
>>
>  
>  
> Just a follow-up on MY specific case.  I deleted the ShellIconCache file
> that was recommended to do in the MSKB.  Bootup went fine... Icons populate
> fine on the desktop.  But now there is no sign of the ShellIconCache file!
> Interesting.  According to the article, I had the impression that file was
> supposed to regenerate or refresh.
>  
>  
 
It's a Hidden file.
 
Also note that ShellIconCache won't regenerate until you Shutdown again  
(so on your next boot you should see it).
 
 
 
Rick

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Ogg,
        It is my impression that the Shell Icon Cache would be  
self-regenerating, as well.    Have you looked again.....since a second  
reboot?.....or refreshing the View in Windows Explorer??   Meantime, I will  
do some checking.......
                                            Heirloom, old and need a nap
 
 
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote in message  
news:SZtHe.2440$pH4.270545@news20.bellglobal.com...
> "Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote..
>
>> .... I developed the same problem. It started with a
>> couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
>> desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
>> found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
>>
>
> Just a follow-up on MY specific case.  I deleted the ShellIconCache file
> that was recommended to do in the MSKB.  Bootup went fine... Icons  
> populate
> fine on the desktop.  But now there is no sign of the ShellIconCache file!
> Interesting.  According to the article, I had the impression that file was
> supposed to regenerate or refresh.
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

"Rick T" <plinnane3REMOVE@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote..
 
> It's a Hidden file.
>
> Also note that ShellIconCache won't regenerate until you Shutdown again
> (so on your next boot you should see it).
 
Understood.  By default, I have enabled viewing of hidden files.  Search
still can't find it.  I have only done ONE shutdown/bootup sequence since I
deleted the file.  That is, I  [1] deleted the file, [2] shutdown,  [3]
rebooted.  No file!   Interesting.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That might
fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
 
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote in message
news:VpsHe.2273$pH4.242985@news20.bellglobal.com...
> The "icons changing randomly to something else" is actually quite a common
> problem in W98x/WinME.  I developed the same problem. It started with a
> couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
> desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
> found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
>
> Also.. do a google for "icons change randomly" for an exhaustive education
> on the matter.
>
> Hope this helps!
> ...Ogg
>
>
> "caroskos" <bevcarr2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> newsDR#I6qlFHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> My icons on desktop have suddenly refused to be moved, and they've changed
> their identities in my taskbar. Solitaire icon is now appearing in front
of
> the DVD Shrink program, Yahoo has the winZip icon, and so forth.  The
icons
> aren't representing what they are supposed to be, although clicking on
them
> in front of their new locations does bring up the proper program.
> I checked to be sure active desktop is working;  I unlocked the icons on
> desktop menu,  but still cannot move them. They've lined up on the left
side
> of my desktop screen, and are somehow locked and refuse to budge.
>
> My add remove plus program, when opened, has lots of yellow exclamation
> marks and very few icons representing the programs.
>
> I was losing my old hard drive a few months ago and had the entire old
hard
> drive ghosted over to my new one. I didn't do it by myself as it needed a
> new motherboard and power supply, so I had the machine rebuilt by my techs
> whom had built my present XP machine. The ME machine is my spare.
>
> I run AVG and its updated nightly
> Sygate is the firewall. I can't find any other that seems agreeable with
my
> system.
> I've defragged weekely, run virus scan, have a multutide of maintenance
> programs:
>     AdAware
>     Spybot
>     Spywareblaster
>     Registry Mechanic
>     Window Washer
>     RegistryHealer
>
> I've got all of the most recent updates that the Windows update site
offers
> for ME.  I had been running Firefox as my default browser, but even that
> slowed to a crawl and then eventually, would open once, and then wouldn't
> open at all if I closed it before shutting down for the night.  I would
have
> to reboot to get it to open a second time. It even had begun not entirely
> loading when first opening it, missing task bars and features.
>
> I've since installed Maxthon as my default browser,  and my machine seems
> happy using that.
>
> Would you have any suggestions of anything I might try to do to try and
make
> repairs to my icon problem before I  end up having  to take the machine
back
> to the techs to try and have them figure out what might be causing this
> problem?
> TIA.....
> Bev
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Ogg wrote:
> "Rick T" <plinnane3REMOVE@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote..
>  
>  
>>It's a Hidden file.
>>
>>Also note that ShellIconCache won't regenerate until you Shutdown again
>>(so on your next boot you should see it).
>  
>  
> Understood.  By default, I have enabled viewing of hidden files.  Search
> still can't find it.  I have only done ONE shutdown/bootup sequence since I
> deleted the file.  That is, I  [1] deleted the file, [2] shutdown,  [3]
> rebooted.  No file!   Interesting.
>  
>  
>  
 
so reboot and get bored
 
Rick

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

"Walterius" <nohow@noway.not> wrote..
 
> The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That might
> fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
 
I don't use TweakUI.  I think I took it off for some technical reason many
years ago.  But I deleted the icon cache, and the system did NOT regenerate
ShellIconCache.  Interesting, eh?  Maybe it has something to do with using
16bit video setting as well as disabling "use all possible colours in icons"
???

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Hey Ogg,
    This may be painfully obvious and already done, but, assuming you  
'unhid' the files, have you done a search for the file?  Maybe it was  
rebuilt somewhere else?  I believe you mentioned the icons on your desktop  
working okay now?  If so, seems they would have to be stored  
somewhere.....(just a wild hair in this ol' brain <g> ).
   Hmmmmmmmm, I just did a search on my machine.......I don't have one  
either!  (spread the rumor that the <jdbgmgr> virus is responsible, we could  
revive the Teddy Bear!)  Checking further now.
                                            Heirloom, old and causes trouble
 
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote in message  
news:YgwHe.2523$pH4.297390@news20.bellglobal.com...
> "Walterius" <nohow@noway.not> wrote..
>
>> The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That  
>> might
>> fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
>
> I don't use TweakUI.  I think I took it off for some technical reason many
> years ago.  But I deleted the icon cache, and the system did NOT  
> regenerate
> ShellIconCache.  Interesting, eh?  Maybe it has something to do with using
> 16bit video setting as well as disabling "use all possible colours in  
> icons"
> ???
>
>
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Something else you can try is open DDispkay Properties and on the Effects
tab, toggle between Large and Default Icons.
 
Shane
 
Ogg wrote:
> "Walterius" <nohow@noway.not> wrote..
>
>> The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That
>> might fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
>
> I don't use TweakUI.  I think I took it off for some technical reason
> many years ago.  But I deleted the icon cache, and the system did NOT
> regenerate ShellIconCache.  Interesting, eh?  Maybe it has something
> to do with using 16bit video setting as well as disabling "use all
> possible colours in icons" ???

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

<vbg> *Display* Properties!
 
 
Shane
 
 
 
Shane wrote:
> Something else you can try is open DDispkay Properties and on the
> Effects tab, toggle between Large and Default Icons.
>
> Shane
>
> Ogg wrote:
>> "Walterius" <nohow@noway.not> wrote..
>>
>>> The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That
>>> might fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
>>
>> I don't use TweakUI.  I think I took it off for some technical reason
>> many years ago.  But I deleted the icon cache, and the system did NOT
>> regenerate ShellIconCache.  Interesting, eh?  Maybe it has something
>> to do with using 16bit video setting as well as disabling "use all
>> possible colours in icons" ???

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Shane <shanebeatson@gmail.com> wrote:
 
> <vbg> *Display* Properties!
 
Too many sherbets?
--  
Mike

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

"Heirloom" <roland58XX@XXcox.net> wrote..
> Hey Ogg,
>     This may be painfully obvious and already done, but, assuming you
> 'unhid' the files, have you done a search for the file?  Maybe it was
> rebuilt somewhere else?  I believe you mentioned the icons on your desktop
> working okay now?  If so, seems they would have to be stored
> somewhere.....(just a wild hair in this ol' brain <g> ).
 
The only occurence of ShellIconCache is c:\MasterME\Windows0\ShellIconCache
dated July 2001.  That is a remnant of a previous "backup" by the retailer -
and obviously not the file I'm looking for.
 
>    Hmmmmmmmm, I just did a search on my machine.......I don't have one
> either!  (spread the rumor that the <jdbgmgr> virus is responsible, we
could
> revive the Teddy Bear!)  Checking further now.
 
A-HA!   You too.  Excellent.   Maybe the file get created only when the icon
size, rez, or colour depth changes ???

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Thank you so much for your suggestions and the links to sites that had information about the icon problems I was having. I had problems finding the ShellIconCache file, but finally located it using the search option, and deleted the file thru there. I've had the "show hidden files and folders" option always checked, but still couldn't find it.
 My icons are back where they should be again,  and are representing the correct programs they came with. I printed out all the directions and links and will visit the registry and make the necessary changes if it occurs again. I never knew this was a common problem
Thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it
Bev
 
 
 
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote in message news:SZtHe.2440$pH4.270545@news20.bellglobal.com...
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote..
 
> .... I developed the same problem. It started with a
> couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
> desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
> found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
>
 
Just a follow-up on MY specific case.  I deleted the ShellIconCache file
that was recommended to do in the MSKB.  Bootup went fine... Icons populate
fine on the desktop.  But now there is no sign of the ShellIconCache file!
Interesting.  According to the article, I had the impression that file was
supposed to regenerate or refresh.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

Thank you for your suggestions. I did delete the cache file and it did the trick. ) It was a bit hard for me to find in the usual manner, so search had to do it for me....but now, everything is how it should be.  
I'll look into TweakUI. I don't have that program. I'll give it a look in the morning.  
Thank you again for your help.
Bev
 
 
 
"Walterius" <nohow@noway.not> wrote in message newstuywytlFHA.2180@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
The problem is very common. Tell TWEAKUI to rebuild your icons. That might
fix it. Also, delete your icon cache.
 
"Ogg" <sorry-nopam-wanted@anywhere.com> wrote in message
news:VpsHe.2273$pH4.242985@news20.bellglobal.com...
> The "icons changing randomly to something else" is actually quite a common
> problem in W98x/WinME.  I developed the same problem. It started with a
> couple of icons changing, then more.  Then the problem got worse when the
> desktop would refuse to populate with any icons at all!  That is when I
> found and applied the recommendations in the following KB article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/suppo [...] 2/6/68.asp
>
> Also.. do a google for "icons change randomly" for an exhaustive education
> on the matter.
>
> Hope this helps!
> ...Ogg
>
>
> "caroskos" <bevcarr2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> newsDR#I6qlFHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> My icons on desktop have suddenly refused to be moved, and they've changed
> their identities in my taskbar. Solitaire icon is now appearing in front
of
> the DVD Shrink program, Yahoo has the winZip icon, and so forth.  The
icons
> aren't representing what they are supposed to be, although clicking on
them
> in front of their new locations does bring up the proper program.
> I checked to be sure active desktop is working;  I unlocked the icons on
> desktop menu,  but still cannot move them. They've lined up on the left
side
> of my desktop screen, and are somehow locked and refuse to budge.
>
> My add remove plus program, when opened, has lots of yellow exclamation
> marks and very few icons representing the programs.
>
> I was losing my old hard drive a few months ago and had the entire old
hard
> drive ghosted over to my new one. I didn't do it by myself as it needed a
> new motherboard and power supply, so I had the machine rebuilt by my techs
> whom had built my present XP machine. The ME machine is my spare.
>
> I run AVG and its updated nightly
> Sygate is the firewall. I can't find any other that seems agreeable with
my
> system.
> I've defragged weekely, run virus scan, have a multutide of maintenance
> programs:
>     AdAware
>     Spybot
>     Spywareblaster
>     Registry Mechanic
>     Window Washer
>     RegistryHealer
>
> I've got all of the most recent updates that the Windows update site
offers
> for ME.  I had been running Firefox as my default browser, but even that
> slowed to a crawl and then eventually, would open once, and then wouldn't
> open at all if I closed it before shutting down for the night.  I would
have
> to reboot to get it to open a second time. It even had begun not entirely
> loading when first opening it, missing task bars and features.
>
> I've since installed Maxthon as my default browser,  and my machine seems
> happy using that.
>
> Would you have any suggestions of anything I might try to do to try and
make
> repairs to my icon problem before I  end up having  to take the machine
back
> to the techs to try and have them figure out what might be causing this
> problem?
> TIA.....
> Bev
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsme.general (More info?)

You can download TweakUI from Microsoft at :-
http://www.m