Resolved Desktop Icons overlaid with 'missing icon' icon!?

Had some work done at a computer shop, came home and found that my (many) icons all show the 'missing icon' overlaying them. (the 'missing icon' is what I call that tiny box w/3 different colored dots, in a white box with the top right corner folded over)..
When booting the Window 7 system, I've seen icons get replaced with that 'missing icon' icon for a few seconds before the correct Icon comes back..
BUT .. I've called the shop and they disclaim having done that (ahem)..
but rebooting hasn't helped.

Any ideas what's causing this?? What can I tweak?

Bob K.

 

If the programs still open when you click the "generic" icons, it may be the Iconcache is corrupt. Deleting that file may fix the problem. It may not but it won't hurt anything to try it. Windows will just make another one.

1. In Control Panel>Folder Options>View tab, set it to Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to:
C:\Users\YourUserAccountName\AppData\Local
3. Right click on the IconCache.db file and click on Delete, click Yes when it asks if you're sure
4. Reboot

 

Thanks, sounds right to me!..

Using DOS Command line, I can find the Icon file. But as an administrator, it still won't let me delete it.
Using Windows Explorer, I get an error that there's no file associated with it!!!, so I can't follow your steps!

I'll poke around with Google & see what Program I need to use as Windows explorer!


How about a low level boot then find & delete the icon file?

Bob

 

I Was able to delete the IconCache.db file.. But when I restarted, all the overlaid Icons returned.

I use "Take Command" A 'super Dos' and the DEL command allows use of /F to Force delete. And I did confirm it was gone. Should I have NOT allowed the Shutdown or Restart to "save" the corrupted Icons???

& yes, I fogot to answer before, All programs (except Windows Explorer!! .. no, those on the task bar are NOT overlaid)
work fine, it's just unsightly ..
===================================================
Nope.. Did the delete with force again, it WAS deleted. & did NOT do any shutdown, just flipped off the power.. Back up, used 'normal' boot.. and they are back overlaying all..

Good Idea but doesn't work..

Bob

 

I've deleted that IconCache.db several ways. As above, with my "Take Command" & Delete /Force. As Miz described (which didn't work), and as Arie describes.
In every case, the overlaid icons come back.

I brought up the properties for several of the programs. Every property box had ONLY the 'overlay' icon in them. When I'd go to the program via Windows Explorer and bring up properties, it would be the correct icon..
BUT, if I drag that program (showing the correct icon) to the desktop, to make a shortcut, it looks fine UNTIL I release it, then the overlay icon would appear on top of it.

There were several shortcuts I made myself, such as; to the full control panel, to the network. Those are NOT overlaid.. Of the some 40+ icons on my desktop, only 2 program icons are NOT overlaid, Googleearth's & OpenOffice. One direct shortcut to the swriter component of OpenOffice *IS* overlaid.

I'm lost. If there's corruption, deleting IconCache does not correct the problem.

P.S. When I click on the Windows Explorere Icon in the task bar, I get the error "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action ... etc.. ".. Going to the command line (in C:\Windows) to run it also gives the same error... But if I add "/?" to "explorer.exe ", it WORKS, and continues to work until I close all instances of it.. Then it's broke again.
--IS THERE something that belongs on it's property 'Target'? other than "%windir%\explorer.exe "

I don't think these are related,,, but??

Bob K.

 

Good Idea.. Created a brand new account, and ... Yup.. OVERLAID Icons on that one too!

Bob K.

 

Hmmmm.....

Food for thought:
Have you ever tried to set or change the display of the shortcut "arrow ". I don't know for sure if windows 7 will have a problem with this but I do know previous OS have had issues.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3606-shortcut-arrow-change-remove-restore.html

Second thought is that you have allowed icons to be changed by theme.:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/921-desktop-icons-allow-prevent-themes-change.html

Resolution or refresh rate for graphics adapter, or monitor? Known to cause some weird secondary issues for some. Icon or font size may be fussy also.

While tinkering with these don't forget a right click on desktop also offers icon size choice.

 

PROBLEM (OVERLAID Desktop ICons) SOLVED

in the Registry was the dastardly doomster..


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons

Was a value: C:\program Files\WinBubble\WinBubble 2\icons\noicon.ico


I deleted it and all's well..

BTW,,, Interestingly I "Guessed" the name of "Noicon" Icon!!

Bob
P.S. after posting the above, I found that the folder & file "\icons\noicon.ico" did NOT exist! It was merely a random
pick but whatever did it's dasdartly deed.