Desktop [Favicons] Icons missing

chauffeur2 · 05-31-2006, 05:28 PM

Hello Everybody,

This annoying problem has me a little perplexed, and I can't remember how to fix it!

The situation is this....I have created shortcuts on my desktop for sites that I use regularly; such as, TSF; eBay, and my Banks....when I create the shortcut, it appears on the desktop with the respective Logo for the site; however, when I have to reboot or start up in the mornings, the shortcuts are still there but without the logos..they all revert to jsut an "E"....is there any way that I can make the personilised logos remain?

I have tried things like locking the desktop, but to no avail.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.....for reference, I have included a snapshot of my desktop, after I have chnged the icons to the original logos, but with one exemption this morning, and that is the TSF logo will not appear, only that revolting "E"!!

Regards,

Dave T.
01 June 2006 Desktop.JPG

**nickster_uk** · 05-31-2006, 06:51 PM

Hi Dave..

one thing that may help would be to remove the favicons from your internet explorer cache and keep them in their own folder elsewhere. Then assign the shortcut icon.

If they stay in the temp files folder, they will be lost every time you clear the cache.

Hope that helps mate :-)

chauffeur2 · 05-31-2006, 08:01 PM

Thanks Nick...greatly appreciated, I must be having a 'blond' day

Regards,

Dave.

**nickster_uk** · 05-31-2006, 08:08 PM

Hehehe no probs mate :-)

chauffeur2 · 06-07-2006, 08:13 PM

Hi All,

Guess what?.....Yep the Icons on my machine still seem to disappear at random, and revert back to that infernal IE "E". This usually occurs after the desktop seems to do a 'refresh' by itself. [what happens is the desktop 'flickers']

I created two places to store these icons, one is in C:\Documents and Settings\David\My Desktop Favicons, and the other place is in with My Desktop shortcuts, as I have a Folder on the desktop for the ones that I don't use very regularly, they are there 'cause I'm a lazy cuss and can't be bothered going Start> All Programs etc.

By the way, when they revert, the "E" is in both folders as well, and once I click on them, the path is invalid, so I have to go thru the rigmarole of deleting them and starting from scratch so to speak.

One interesting point I noticed today, is that when I reset them on them desktop, and went into both the folders all the favicons were back there and they had replaced the E's without my intervention at all!
I don't have malware, spyware, adaware or viruses, I run scans on a daily basis at a predetermined time, but this doesn't cause this strange 'refresh' of the desktop.

I did the same thing on my wife's computer, and hers has no problems at all....I even retraced my steps to see if I went wrong somewhere here, but what I did to her machine is identical on my machine.

So what can I do to wrestle with them?

Kind Regards,
Dave Treharne.

**nickster_uk** · 06-07-2006, 08:25 PM

Kinda weird problem Dave....usually copying the favicons from the temp internet files folder and putting them in their own place sorts the problem but to lose them on a desktop refresh is a bit weird.

As a test, try creating a new profile and then create some new internet shortcuts on it...then assign the favicons (which you should also place on the new profile somewhere) then refresh to see if the same happens.

To me, it sounds like some sort of profile problem as your wife's favicons function as expected. If all works ok on the new profile, then you can simply copy across all your documents and settings etc to the new profile but leave behind ntuser.dat and ntuser.dat.log as these will be recreated on the new profile :-)

chauffeur2 · 06-08-2006, 05:42 AM

Hi Nick,

We have tried the 'test', and so far so good!!

I rebooted immediately after I completed the changeover and it seems to be working properly for now at least.

To fix this cantankerous piece of electronic junk, I also did a sfc /scannow even though this install is only 3 weeks old....Lo and behold it asked for the disk 7 times during the scan, but all seem to be operating as it should.

Fickle things these machines aren't they?

Thanks for all your support and suggestions.

Regards,

Dave T.

**nickster_uk** · 06-08-2006, 11:08 AM

Glad it's sorted for now.....and yes, very fickle mate :-)

chauffeur2 · 06-10-2006, 08:17 AM

Hi Nick,

Guess what those little critters started to revert back to their evil little ways again, but I reckon that I've fix those pesky little critters once and for all!!

This is how I did it......and its with thanks to a good old British publication; namely, PC Utilities...I was browsing thru the CD's whilst cleaning the computer room and found a little ripper utility they have called FavOrg.

What it does is it creates custom icons for ALL Internet Favourites, by accessing the website and downloading the .ico file and stores it in its own created data file within the Program Files, and assigns the custom icon to the favourites URL, and all I had to do was copy them to its data file, and create a desktop shortcut from the Favourite URL!

To prove a point to myself, I cleaned out all Temporary Files [offline included] and caches, shut down the machine and restarted it [rather then just rebooting it], I did this 5 times, [ over about 3 hours], and Hey Presto the pesky little critters have stayed where they are supposed to be WITH their respective corporate logos!

So I guess the moral of this story is, You Brits DO know more than those people across the ocean!!

Thanks for all your perservence and assistance..if you would like more info about it just email me.

Kind Regards,

Dave T.

P.S: I've deleted the second user account now that all is 100%.

**nickster_uk** · 06-10-2006, 06:54 PM

Britain 1 - Rest Of The World 0

Let's just hope the England rugby squad can build on that by beating the Aussies in Sydney in a little while :-)

Bronson7 · 06-11-2006, 12:12 AM

Do a search on a free little program called FavOrg. It specifically deals with the nuisance you're having which is pretty common. I use it and it works quite well.
Bronson7

chauffeur2 · 06-11-2006, 01:56 AM

G'Day Bronson 7,

I already have that natty little program, as I mentioned in my last post to Nickster_UK....but thanks anyway.

Regards,

Dave T.

backtruck · 07-13-2008, 11:34 PM

Hi! i have a problem with my pc, when i turned it on this morning all the icons in the desktop are gone. i cant access on any programs and i cant open nor view files on it. but the internet connection is fine, i can surf the net normally, i can save and download files as well, but i cannot open or view them. when i try opening a folder from the Start Button in the taskbar, here's what the pop up window message always say, "Windows cannot find '(null)'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the start button, and then click search." im not searching for a file/folder, im trying to open one, but the message appears to be the same evertime i try doing it.

how can i get back the desktop icons and run my pc normally again? i hope someone can help me out..

05-31-2006, 05:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Desktop [Favicons] Icons missing Hello Everybody, This annoying problem has me a little perplexed, and I can't remember how to fix it! The situation is this....I have created shortcuts on my desktop for sites that I use regularly; such as, TSF; eBay, and my Banks....when I create the shortcut, it appears on the desktop with the respective Logo for the site; however, when I have to reboot or start up in the mornings, the shortcuts are still there but without the logos..they all revert to jsut an "E"....is there any way that I can make the personilised logos remain? I have tried things like locking the desktop, but to no avail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.....for reference, I have included a snapshot of my desktop, after I have chnged the icons to the original logos, but with one exemption this morning, and that is the TSF logo will not appear, only that revolting "E"!! Regards, Dave T. 01 June 2006 Desktop.JPG __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

05-31-2006, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,002 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Hi Dave.. one thing that may help would be to remove the favicons from your internet explorer cache and keep them in their own folder elsewhere. Then assign the shortcut icon. If they stay in the temp files folder, they will be lost every time you clear the cache. Hope that helps mate :-) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| Maxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB, Maxtor DiamondMax 23 500GB & 2xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Thermaltake CL-P0114 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

05-31-2006, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Thanks Nick...greatly appreciated, I must be having a 'blond' day Regards, Dave. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

05-31-2006, 08:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,002 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Hehehe no probs mate :-) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| Maxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB, Maxtor DiamondMax 23 500GB & 2xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Thermaltake CL-P0114 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

06-07-2006, 08:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi All, Guess what?.....Yep the Icons on my machine still seem to disappear at random, and revert back to that infernal IE "E". This usually occurs after the desktop seems to do a 'refresh' by itself. [what happens is the desktop 'flickers'] I created two places to store these icons, one is in C:\Documents and Settings\David\My Desktop Favicons, and the other place is in with My Desktop shortcuts, as I have a Folder on the desktop for the ones that I don't use very regularly, they are there 'cause I'm a lazy cuss and can't be bothered going Start> All Programs etc. By the way, when they revert, the "E" is in both folders as well, and once I click on them, the path is invalid, so I have to go thru the rigmarole of deleting them and starting from scratch so to speak. One interesting point I noticed today, is that when I reset them on them desktop, and went into both the folders all the favicons were back there and they had replaced the E's without my intervention at all! I don't have malware, spyware, adaware or viruses, I run scans on a daily basis at a predetermined time, but this doesn't cause this strange 'refresh' of the desktop. I did the same thing on my wife's computer, and hers has no problems at all....I even retraced my steps to see if I went wrong somewhere here, but what I did to her machine is identical on my machine. So what can I do to wrestle with them? Kind Regards, Dave Treharne. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

06-07-2006, 08:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,002 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Kinda weird problem Dave....usually copying the favicons from the temp internet files folder and putting them in their own place sorts the problem but to lose them on a desktop refresh is a bit weird. As a test, try creating a new profile and then create some new internet shortcuts on it...then assign the favicons (which you should also place on the new profile somewhere) then refresh to see if the same happens. To me, it sounds like some sort of profile problem as your wife's favicons function as expected. If all works ok on the new profile, then you can simply copy across all your documents and settings etc to the new profile but leave behind ntuser.dat and ntuser.dat.log as these will be recreated on the new profile :-) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| Maxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB, Maxtor DiamondMax 23 500GB & 2xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Thermaltake CL-P0114 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

06-08-2006, 05:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi Nick, We have tried the 'test', and so far so good!! I rebooted immediately after I completed the changeover and it seems to be working properly for now at least. To fix this cantankerous piece of electronic junk, I also did a sfc /scannow even though this install is only 3 weeks old....Lo and behold it asked for the disk 7 times during the scan, but all seem to be operating as it should. Fickle things these machines aren't they? Thanks for all your support and suggestions. Regards, Dave T. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

06-08-2006, 11:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,002 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Glad it's sorted for now.....and yes, very fickle mate :-) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| Maxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB, Maxtor DiamondMax 23 500GB & 2xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Thermaltake CL-P0114 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

06-10-2006, 08:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi Nick, Guess what those little critters started to revert back to their evil little ways again, but I reckon that I've fix those pesky little critters once and for all!! This is how I did it......and its with thanks to a good old British publication; namely, PC Utilities...I was browsing thru the CD's whilst cleaning the computer room and found a little ripper utility they have called FavOrg. What it does is it creates custom icons for ALL Internet Favourites, by accessing the website and downloading the .ico file and stores it in its own created data file within the Program Files, and assigns the custom icon to the favourites URL, and all I had to do was copy them to its data file, and create a desktop shortcut from the Favourite URL! To prove a point to myself, I cleaned out all Temporary Files [offline included] and caches, shut down the machine and restarted it [rather then just rebooting it], I did this 5 times, [ over about 3 hours], and Hey Presto the pesky little critters have stayed where they are supposed to be WITH their respective corporate logos! So I guess the moral of this story is, You Brits DO know more than those people across the ocean!! Thanks for all your perservence and assistance..if you would like more info about it just email me. Kind Regards, Dave T. P.S: I've deleted the second user account now that all is 100%. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!! Last edited by chauffeur2; 06-10-2006 at 08:20 AM.

06-10-2006, 06:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,002 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Britain 1 - Rest Of The World 0 Let's just hope the England rugby squad can build on that by beating the Aussies in Sydney in a little while :-) __________________ My system: ASUS P5K-E WiFi \| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz (OC 3.60GHz) \| 4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 RAM (4-4-4-12) \| PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 GPU \| Maxtor DiamondMax 22 500GB, Maxtor DiamondMax 23 500GB & 2xMaxtor DiamondMax 21 250GB SATA HDDs \| Thermaltake CL-P0114 Heatsink + 6 LED Case Fans \| Corsair HX620W Modular PSU \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case \| Pioneer DVR-216 SATA 20x20 DVD±RW In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

06-11-2006, 12:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bronson7 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 74 OS: XP Home	Do a search on a free little program called FavOrg. It specifically deals with the nuisance you're having which is pretty common. I use it and it works quite well. Bronson7

06-11-2006, 01:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	G'Day Bronson 7, I already have that natty little program, as I mentioned in my last post to Nickster_UK....but thanks anyway. Regards, Dave T. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

07-13-2008, 11:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
backtruck Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP	Re: Desktop [Favicons] Icons missing Hi! i have a problem with my pc, when i turned it on this morning all the icons in the desktop are gone. i cant access on any programs and i cant open nor view files on it. but the internet connection is fine, i can surf the net normally, i can save and download files as well, but i cannot open or view them. when i try opening a folder from the Start Button in the taskbar, here's what the pop up window message always say, "Windows cannot find '(null)'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the start button, and then click search." im not searching for a file/folder, im trying to open one, but the message appears to be the same evertime i try doing it. how can i get back the desktop icons and run my pc normally again? i hope someone can help me out..