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General discussion

Desk Top Icons

by eliz6beth May 26, 2007 3:28AM PDT

I have got into a mess with my desk top icons. It started with one going on top of the other and when I tried to put them alphabetically they went all over the place. I then tried to move them and delete the duplicate ones but when I did this I cannot open the shortcuts. It just comes up with the Arrange Icons by.... etc message.

Any ideas please

Using Windows XP Home

Liz

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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When you right click the desktop
by retired May 26, 2007 4:37AM PDT

and look at "Arrange Icons By" There should be a checkmark on Auto Arrange and Align to grid I have the dot at name also, If you have tried that or it does not help post back. As for the Dupes, how did they get there? Need more info on that.

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Some Suggestions...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator May 26, 2007 4:37AM PDT

First, restart the computer into Safe Mode, then shut down the computer, then restart it into "normal" Windows.. Doing so can fix a variety of issues when there are too many icons on the destkop.

How To Start In 'Safe Mode'

Next, if you haven't already, be sure to run a full system scan with a current antivirus and antispyware tool...just to make sure it's not a virus issue.

Next, RIGHT click on the desktop, choose the "Arrange Icons by" selection, then UNCHECK the "Autoarrange" and the "Align to grid" options.. You should now be able to move the icons as you choose..

If double clicking on the icon doesn't cause the associated program to open and run, see if the shortcut in the Start Menu works correctly. (Start-All Programs-then click on the program.) If the Start Menu program works correctly, then delete all the problem shortcuts from your desktop and create a new one using the Start Menu shortcut.. RIGHT click drag the specific shortcut to your desktop, release the mouse button and choose "copy here".

Hope this helps.

Grif

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icons
by eliz6beth May 26, 2007 9:35PM PDT

Have tried the arrange icon but they still stay on top on one another.

It started when I brought Outlook Express out of my little used items folder - put it on the desk top and later noticed that it was sat on another icon. Then I am not sure what I did but several icons were on top of one another.

I tried to set up new short cuts for them and tried to delete the old ones but it will not let me do it and I cannot drag them into another folder as I just get that dotted line round them as if you are going to enlarge them.

Its very hard to explain.

I seem unable to boot into safe mode - I tape F8 and it comes up with a menu saying

1st floppy drive.....
HDD SillyM....
CDROM:Sm....

and to press enter or escape. If I highlight the HDD and press enter it just boots up normally.

I tried a systems restore yesterday but it would not restore it
.
Liz

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Re: Safe Mode
by Kees Bakker May 26, 2007 9:54PM PDT

Try pressing f8 a few seconds later. You too early now, I'd say. It seems your BIOS has the option to choose the device to boot from by pressing f8. That's rather uncommon, but can be a nice feature. But not now!

Safe Mode only comes into play after booting from the hard disk. The moment might be obscured by the computermaker choosing to put a logo on the screen obscuring the normal messages, but if they didn't it's right after it says "Starting Windows ...".

Hope this helps.


Kees

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You might give this a try
by retired May 26, 2007 10:31PM PDT

Just refresh the icon cache by deleting the IconCache.db file from your profile directory (usually /Documents and Settings/Username/Local Settings/Application Data). It will be automatically recreated.

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Left out this step,You will need to re-start the computer
by retired May 26, 2007 10:48PM PDT

for it to rebuild the iconcache.

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Icons
by eliz6beth May 26, 2007 11:15PM PDT

My most grateful thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me out.

I finally got into Safe Mode and system restore and the problem is now resolved.

I am keeping all your answers on file.

Thanks again.

Liz

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