icon appearing on desk top?

[Carhar]

I have a new computer running "Windows XP". I have
received, 3 times, an icon (a white, right dog eared
piece of paper with a tiny square and three symbols in
the square) on my computer, from where I don't know, but
under it it has a little " ~ ". When I try to open it to
see what the file is I have to go to Word Pad tosee if it
can be opened. When I finally open it, it containes a
lot of "computer language" marks, squares, symbols etc.
and a few words I could read which led me to believe it
could have something to do with my MS Outlook address
book because the names I could read were some from my
address book. Has anyone had this expierence and if so
what do you do about it and how does it get on my
desktop. I just delete it but it is annoying as I don't
know what it is or where it comes from.

 

[Kuay Tim]

Hi Carhar,

This problem resulted from an update to Outlook Express. A backup file for
the address book is created when a change is made to the address book. This
file can now end up on the desktop or other unusual location. Ignore or
delete the file and hope for a fix from Microsoft. The fix may be
forthcoming, but don't expect it soon.

More Information
http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/problems/bugs.htm#~file

--
Tim K.
aka Kuay Tim
MVP - (IE/OE)
Lynnwood, WA
*

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

This is a known issue, and the file is harmless. Just delete it. It's
actually a copy of your address book.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Carhar]

Thanks Rick for the info. It does make sense but since I
didn't know how Windows XP worked I wasn't sure.
Could you please answer another question?
My computer makes a little chirp, usually after it has
been going for a little while. It does it other times
too. Is it telling me something? I can't find the
answer anywhere. Thanks.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

[sent privately in response to email, copied here for others]

Hi Carol,

How old is the system? Often, the chirping indicates a failing CMOS battery.

As to the ~ file, just for a better explanation, it's actually the result of
a flaw in a Windows Update. See:

A file named ~ appears on the desktop or in another location on the hard
disk
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830921

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

My computer makes a little chirp, usually after it has
been going for a little while. It does it other times
too. Is it telling me something? I can't find the
answer anywhere. Thanks.

Are you ruinning the program "Weatherbug"?

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a new computer running "Windows XP". I have
received, 3 times, an icon (a white, right dog eared
piece of paper with a tiny square and three symbols in
the square) on my computer, from where I don't know, but
under it it has a little " ~ ".

That is a result of a bug. Whenever you modify your Outlook Express
address book, this temporary file is made. It ought to get deleted
automatically but doesn't, so delete it for yourself