Black Icons in Windows me

I have an athlon 1800+ with ati radeon 9700 pro w/128 video ram, 256 ram, 20gig hd. It is running windows me. I can't figure out why all my icons on my desktop are black. Is it the video card or windows me? Even the folders in outlook express are black. Please advise. Thank you.

 

Hi Phyllis
Welcome to the boards!
Try Start/Settings ControlPanel/Display/Effects... Uncheck/Display icons with all possible colours/Apply/OK/reboot...Re-check/Apply/OK/reboot

You can also try this... Do a find file for the shelliconcache file and delete it. It will re-build on a reboot.

If this doesn't work you can install Tweak UI it has an option to rebuild icons under the Repair Tab... http://www.pcforrest.freeserve.co.uk/tweakui.htm

Daizy

 

Hi again Phyllis
Thank you for the note...but if we keep it on the board, others can come and learn from your post as well.

Do try to delete your shelliconcache and reboot. It will be recreated. See how that goes?

Daizy

 

Restart Windows in Safe mode. To do so, restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key after your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

Use Windows Explorer to remove the ShellIconCache file from the Windows folder.

NOTE: You need to be able to view hidden files to see the ShellIconCache file. To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.
Restart your computer

Blatantly ripped from Billy

Daizy

 

black icons

I followed the instructions and deleted the shelliconcache file in safe mode. My icons are in color on the desk top as well as on the programs menu and everything that comes up on the start menu. However, the icons on the lower left by the clock are still black as well as the mouse icon in the control panel. In Outlook Express all my folders are black squares. This was the case before I deleted the shelliconcache file. In the display where the windows desktop pictures (iceberg, etc.) are they are represented by black squares.
I think if I select "use all possible colors" my icons turn black again.
We are almost there. Thank you for your patience.

 

Hi again Phyllis
You've rebooted, inbetween?
You could also try changing your driver settings by reducing the hardware acceleration. Open the control panel and go to Display Properties->Settings->Advanced
In one of the last pages of the dialog window there should be a slider for the hardware acceleration. Try to move that slider few steps down.

Daizy

 

The slider was set to none before I followed your instructions since I had run across that advise earlier. I moved it to full and there is no change. This is frustrating.

What about the folders in OUtlook Express? Why are they black?

Thank you so much for your help and patience

 

Had another thought. You do have the latest drivers for your card?

Lastly, do try TweakUI to rebuild the icons.

Daizy

 

I was wondering about the current drivers which will put be back to the ATI website which makes me want to get sick. I think you heard that I just had this computer built and in order to register my card, I have to take my computer apart to get the stupid number off the stupid sticker on the stupid card. Such stupid people!!
I read someplace on this site that the tweek UI could be a problem.
Can you tell me where other than ATI to find my latest driver?

 

Did you look at your other thread about using Belarc or Aida32 to find out exactly what your card is...so we can pinpoint the drivers for it?

Daizy

 

I went to those sites and frankly didn't understand why I was there. I search for ATI Radeon 9700 Pro? I'll go back and look.

 

Why wouldn't you be able to just go here and download the drivers? Do you know how to update your drivers?

Daizy

 

I don't know Dizy, I went to the ATI driver download cite and upon clicking on installation instructions, it says "all in wonder ". ATI makes the all in wonder and the other graphic cards.

 

From this page?

I'm terribly sorry Phyllis. It may behoove you to abandon this thread and repost again. I seem to be missing something......and would hate to lead you astray.

Daizy

 

black icons

I gave up struggling with windows me and installed windows 2000. No problems.