Resolved Icons everywhere

I hope someone can help me with this little problem that is beginning to give me a huge headache. The other night (Friday) I turned on my computer and sitting on the destop was an icon titled "desktop ". Also another icon titled "thumbs ". Opening my doc folder I found these same icons in just about every folder. Even my music folders are being "attacked" with these icons, programs or whatever it is you wish to call them. I've tried a system restore and it didn't help. After about eight hours they all came back. I even ran one of my backups to see if this would help. It took about 24 hours for them to re-appear again. I right clicked on every icon and it said they were configuration files. I tried re-setting the commands in the folders options dierectory (do not show hidden files) but that doesn't work either. So what is my next step?
I'm running Win XP pro, serv pack 3, AMD Athlon 64 bit 3200, 2.20GHz and 3.00 GIG of RAM.
PLEASE HELP!

 

The files/icons you talk about are normally hidden 'system' files. The Desktop.ini file is an initialization file and will be found in most all folders. It tells Windows how to lay out that particular folder. Not for sure, but I believe the Thumbs.db is similar but for pictures & icons. You can send them back to hiding by unselecting Show Hidden Files and Folders. Open any folder, select Tools>Folder Options>View and unselect Show Hidden Files and Folders. That should take them out of view.
You can erase them, but over short period of time, Windows will put them back.

 

Hi raylyncorvette,

As ski52 stated but just to expand on a wee bit see below:

Additional info on thumbs.db files:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-204

also see:
http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/797

 

Thanks ski52 and goddez1. As for the problem I described I have done everything possible I can think of. I've tried what you suggested ski52 several times but the icons keep coming back. I am going to try to shut down everything in msconfig and then turn on a few programs each time and see if that is whats causing the problem. I've researched the Internet for other people having this same problem and I have found quite a few so far but with no real answers on how to fix it. Most of these other people are just living with the issue. I'll post a reply as I try to find the answer. If all else fails I guess it's time for a complete clean re-install.
Again thanks for the help. Sorry for the multiple postings. I guess I just got a bit over zealous and wanted help.

 

Hey Steve...All three are checked and have been since I built the computer but the icons I mentioned are still there in plain view. I'm usually pretty good at solving problems but this time I just can't seem to get a handle on it. I've started turning off programs to see if there is a conflict with one of them. So far nothing has seemed to work. I'll either find the problem or dump the entire system and start from scratch.

 

Did you try right clicking on each icon and then clicking on properties to see if in the General Tab's lower portion where the attributes are you have the option to put a check in the hidden box to make the icon Hidden.

 

lj50...All boxes are checked and re-checked but I still get the icons I've listed. At present I've disabled everything in msconfig and I'm putting things back in (four at a time). I should know if it is a program causing this insane action later today.

 

Hey Steve....The box that is checked is "Do Not show hidden files and folders ". However I think I found the problem. After shutting down various programs and testing the system I found one particular program that was updating itself and causing the hidden files to show up on the desktop and in various other folders. That program was "Max Secure Spyware Detector ". Once I shut it down the hidden files disappeared. When I started the program back up the files again were all over the place. So I finally dumped the entire program and all of the files associated with it. I wrote to Max Secure and as usual they say its impossible and they want me to reload it again and prove it to them. I really don't think that is going to be happening anytime soon! I've used this program for years with no problem but they sent out an update last week (When all of this started) with a few "add-ons" and I think that is the problem. In researching the problem I found several other people who are having the same issues as myself and I wouldn't be surprised if they too were using Max Secure.
Anyway thanks for all the help and support. I hope one day I can return the favor.