Icon Changes in Windows XP

[Neith]

I logged onto my PC this afternoon (Windows XP Home Edition), and discovered that every program icon (Firefox, Media Player, PSOBB, everything) had changed to a default Windows icon.

If you dont know what I mean:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/jordison197666/Icon.jpg
That's from my Start Menu- every single program was like that.

Now, in addition, the 'My Computer' link on the desktop had changed into this icon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/jordison197666/Icon2.jpg

I managed to change the majority of the icons back to their correct application icons, but I am curious as to why my computer did this in the first place.

For peace of mind, I ran Spybot S&D/Ewido and AVG for any viruses/malware.

Aside from one or two pieces of malware I get often from internet browsing (which have never caused trouble, i always use Spybot to delete them), nothing out of the ordinary showed up.

Anyone have a clue what's going on?

Cheers.

[VioletSkye]

If you restart the pc, do the icons return normally? Normally if that happens, just do a restart and they should be fine. If not let me know.

As for what happened, it's usually an issue with the Icon cache. Sometimes it just needs to be refreshed/repaired.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2006-08-19 11:19 ]</font>

[Neith]

I did a restart once I noticed, and the icons didn't change back.

Like I said, I have most back to normal now, but thought it was strange when it happened.

[VioletSkye]

Ok, then you probably should do a repair (don't worry it's easy http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif )

To clear the icons cache make sure you can view hidden files and then open C:Documents and SettingsYour User NameLocal SettingsApplicationDataIconcache.db. Delete Iconcache.db

When you restart Windows the icon cache file will be automatically recreated.

Also if you have alot of icons on your desktop, you may need to edit the registry and increase the size of the icon cache (or delete any unnecessary icons.)

Heh, I'm used to fixing that in Win 9x, so I had to edit the post to reflect the file and location for XP users http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

Anyway, delete the Iconcache.db file and restart Windows.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2006-08-19 11:35 ]</font>

[Neith]

Ok, found and deleted that file- When I restarted Windows (I assume you just meant to restart the computer), all my icons are correct again.

Ive had a look in the C:Documents and SettingsYour User NameLocal SettingsApplicationData though, and IconCache.db isn't there any more (it is for all the other accounts on the computer, just not mine).

My icons are sorted now though, thanks a lot!

[VioletSkye]

Cool!!
Don't worry, your Iconcache.db file will return. It doesn't always show up the first time you reboot the pc http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Neith]

Ah ok, thanks again- lost count how often you've sorted my PC now http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif