desktop icons dont stay fixed

G

Guest

After doing some program work on my computer (shut off goback, install
casper, clone all files to exterior hard drive, start up goback) sudenly
every time i turn the computer on all the desktop icons have left the
positions i put them in and gathered in columns on the left side of the
screen. I don't think this is an "auto arrange" issue because under "arrange
icons by" i have that command turned off.
 
R

Ramesh, MS-MVP

The Desktop icons layout are preserved in the following registry key (Tip
from David Candy):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop

It is possible that one of the REG_BINARY values got corrupt. Try resetting
the values using these steps:

Note: First, create a System Restore point, even though the following
procedure does nothing to the data. Save all your work, close all the
running applications and then try this:

1. Open Regedit.exe minimize it.
2. Click Start, Turn Off computer.
3. Press and hold the CTRL, ALT and the SHIFT keys, and click the Cancel
button.
4. Now, the explorer.exe process will be terminated fully.
5. Switch to Registry Editor window, and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop

6. Rename the key "Desktop" to something else, say "OlderDesktop"
7. Close Registry Editor
8. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL to open Task Manager
9. Click the Shutdown menu, and select "Logoff <username>"
10. Relogin again, customize the desktop icons placement.
11. Restart Windows and see if the icon positions are retained.

Credits to:
David Candy, jeffdav's blog (The CTRL+ALT+SHIFT technique is from jeffdav)
http://blogs.msdn.com/jeffdav/archive/2004/07/22/191636.aspx

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
 
G

Guest

ramesh - thanks for the info. it looks a little scary to me, and in the
meantime a friend has given me a little patch wich seems to work. if you
would lik, i will get you the url. i really like this system, and connecting
with helpful people like yourself. regards, sib
 

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