cannot change desktop icons

[Guest]

Some time ago I changed several desktop icons for websites I visit often,
because I did not want them all to be the standard IE icon with arrow. I
selected the icons from the standard XP list that is available when you click
the Browse button. Each one of my selections was different.

Recently all the icons changed back to the IE icon, and now no matter what I
do, I can't change them back. Can you help?

Compaq Presario laptop
Celeron 1.82 mhz, 512 ram
80 Gig hard drive
XP home, SP2

 

[Malke]

Some time ago I changed several desktop icons for websites I visit
often, because I did not want them all to be the standard IE icon with
arrow. I selected the icons from the standard XP list that is
available when you click the Browse button. Each one of my selections
was different.

Recently all the icons changed back to the IE icon, and now no matter
what I do, I can't change them back. Can you help?

Compaq Presario laptop
Celeron 1.82 mhz, 512 ram
80 Gig hard drive
XP home, SP2

These special icons are called "favicons" and are stored in the
Temporary Internet Files directory. This is why they disappear
eventually. See these links for how to keep them:

http://rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Favicons - Favicons

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm - FavOrg-restore and save
favourite icons (line 108, right column)

Malke

 

[Guest]

am still struggling with this. Malke, do you know someone who is trustworthy
that I can connect with and use a remote connection (whatever that's called)
so the other party can see and operate my computer? here's the problem:
1. installed MVP Kelly Theriot's utility
2. deleted temp internet files
3. deleted the ie icon for www.familysearch.org
4. opened my isp home page and typed the url for familysearch, then saved it
as a favorite
5. the icon on the favorite was the ie so i changed it to a green tree icon
found in the system32 listing named shell32.dll. the icon then appeared with
the familysearch link in my favorites.
4. i searched for the .ico file for this icon in an attempt to follow Rick
Rogers' procedure, but could not find it.

I am just a user and not very "literate" so don't understand any of this. I
just follow instructions best I can. If you can help or tell who can, I'd
appreciate it. Thanks. Mike

 

[Guest]

Malke, I went a step further and tried using the FavCon utility to select the
correct icon. FavCon had found the familysearch icon and saved it, so I
selected it when changing icons. It appeared on the desktop for a while, but
when I clicked it to start familysearch, it went back to the ie. I'm at wit's
end. I hate all those e's on my desktop.

 

[Malke]

am still struggling with this. Malke, do you know someone who is
trustworthy that I can connect with and use a remote connection
(whatever that's called) so the other party can see and operate my
computer? here's the problem: 1. installed MVP Kelly Theriot's utility
2. deleted temp internet files
3. deleted the ie icon for www.familysearch.org
4. opened my isp home page and typed the url for familysearch, then
saved it as a favorite
5. the icon on the favorite was the ie so i changed it to a green tree
icon found in the system32 listing named shell32.dll. the icon then
appeared with the familysearch link in my favorites.
4. i searched for the .ico file for this icon in an attempt to follow
Rick Rogers' procedure, but could not find it.

No, I don't know anyone who can connect remotely to your computer and I
would never suggest that anyway. Isn't there anyone local who can come
over? Look in the Yellow Pages (or the equivalent for your area of the
world) or ask friends/colleagues for a recommendation.

I'm sorry I can't help you further with this. I've never put links to
url's on any of my desktops and I don't care about favicons so I've
never messed around with them. A workaround would be to put all the
links in a folder so you don't have to look at them all the time.

One other thought - do you have Internet Explorer 7? I did a Google for
"IE7 and favicons" and came up with several links that indicate that
IE7 might not support favicons, which would explain why your efforts
are unrewarding.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=IE7+and+favicons&btnG=Search

If you do have IE7, you should post your question in the IE7 newsgroup,
which is - microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general - *after* you do a
Google Groups Advanced Search. Use a search term that describes your
problem (like the one I used), constrain the search to the IE7
newsgroup and the date to recently. You can also check MVP Sandi
Hardmeier's canonical IE7 site. Sandi has workarounds, known issues,
troubleshooting, and links. This may be the only site you need.

http://www.ie-vista.com/

Sorry I didn't have a definitive answer for you.

Malke

 

[Elmo]

Malke, I went a step further and tried using the FavCon utility to select the
correct icon. FavCon had found the familysearch icon and saved it, so I
selected it when changing icons. It appeared on the desktop for a while, but
when I clicked it to start familysearch, it went back to the ie. I'm at wit's
end. I hate all those e's on my desktop.

Here's a thought.. once you get the favicon you prefer tied to a
shortcut, right-click the shortcut, click Properties, and make it Read
Only. Maybe that'll keep it from changing back.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

am still struggling with this. Malke, do you know someone who is
trustworthy that I can connect with and use a remote connection
(whatever that's called) so the other party can see and operate my
computer?

Malke has already answered this question, but I just wanted to reinforce
what she said. Under no circumstances should you allow a stranger to do
this, no matter who recommends him. The risk is too great, and it would be
foolhardy to run it.

The only time you should do this is with someone you know very well and
trust completely, and who you also know is completely qualified to work on
your problem.