Jumbled Icons

[Beth]

I'm using Windows XP Home. My 3 year old daughter got to the computer and now
all the icons on my desktop are all jumbled up, they each look like jigsaw
puzzles, in four pieces, that need re-arranging. This is not only on the
desktop, but all the icons throughout the entire system, the only way to
describe them is "jumbled up". This is only in my domain, not any other
domains on the computer. Can anyone please help me to restore the icons back
to normal? I don't think I can stand looking at them like this!!!

 

[Brian A.]

I'm using Windows XP Home. My 3 year old daughter got to the computer and now
all the icons on my desktop are all jumbled up, they each look like jigsaw
puzzles, in four pieces, that need re-arranging. This is not only on the
desktop, but all the icons throughout the entire system, the only way to
describe them is "jumbled up". This is only in my domain, not any other
domains on the computer. Can anyone please help me to restore the icons back
to normal? I don't think I can stand looking at them like this!!!

Hi Beth,

Hopefully your daughter didn't scatter the files and folders all over kingdom come,
that would not be a good thing at all. You'll know if the are when applications
won't start because it can't find a file needed to run. I take it that you meant
your user profile, not a network domain which would be double trouble.

If the files/folders haven't been moved between other directories/folder/files and
they're in their original place, only scattered:

Right click on empty area of the desktop.
In the popup menu place your pointer on "Arrange Icons By" and a flyout menu will
appear where you can select how you want then sorted.

You can do the same in MyComputer or Explorer by Right clicking any empty space in
any of the folders. You can also use the popup menu to select the view you want, ie.
Details, List, etc.
Once you have one folder set the way you like in MyComputer or Explorer:
On the Menu bar click Tools > Folder Options > View tab.
Click "Apply to All Folders" button > "Apply" button > "Ok" button.

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Beth]

Hi Brian, thanks for replying. I guess I didn't explain it too well, so here
goes...all the files and applications in my user profile xappear to be OK,
its just that each individual icon (the actual picture) on the desktop looks
like a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be solved, and within the files they are all
mixed up like scrambled eggs! You can still work out which program/file is
which by the words underneath, but would like to get it all back to normal if
possible.
Thanks, Beth (from Australia)

 

[Nepatsfan]

I'm using Windows XP Home. My 3 year old daughter got to the computer and now
all the icons on my desktop are all jumbled up, they each look like jigsaw
puzzles, in four pieces, that need re-arranging. This is not only on the
desktop, but all the icons throughout the entire system, the only way to
describe them is "jumbled up". This is only in my domain, not any other
domains on the computer. Can anyone please help me to restore the icons back
to normal? I don't think I can stand looking at them like this!!!

Here are a couple of things you can try.

Go to Start -> Run and enter the following command in the Open box.

%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data

This should open the following folder.
C:\Documents and Settings\YourAccount\Local Settings\Application Data

In this folder, locate a file named IconCache.db and delete it.
Note: If you don't find that file it means you need to click on the Tools menu
at the top of the screen and select Folder Options from the menu. In Folder
Options, click on the View tab. Check the following items.

Display the contents of system folders
Show hidden files and folders

Uncheck Hide protected operating system files
Click OK.

You should now be able to delete that file. Restart your computer and see if the
problem is fixed.

Another option is to download, install, and run TweakUI from Microsoft. It's
available here.

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Direct Download of TweakUI
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

Once the program is installed, go to Start -> All Programs ->Powertoys for
Windows XP -> TweakUI.
In the left hand click on Repair. In the right hand pane select Rebuild Icons
and hit the Repair now button. Once again, restart your computer.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Brian A.]

Beth,

Check to see if the screen resolution was changed to a lower resolution.

Right click on an empty space on the desktop.
Click "Properties" in the popup menu.
Click the "Settings" tab.
Under "Screen Resolution" move the slider a notch to the right.
Under "Color Quality" click the dropdown list button and select a higher setting if
available.
Click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the display properties window.
If prompted to save the change, do so if it's acceptable to your liking and click Ok.

If you aren't able to raise the resolution or color quality, you may need to
reinstall the drivers for your graphics device. If this is the case, please provide
information for:

Make/Model of your PC.
Make/Model of your Video chip/adapter.

If you don't know what they are, download:

Everest Home Edition: (Last one offered free)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads9.html

http://basconotw.mvps.org/dwnlds.htm

Create a new folder named Everest and extract the contents of the download to

that folder.

Open the folder and double-click everest.exe to run the application.

Click the + next to Computer.

Click Summary.

Scroll to the section for your installed devices chip/adapter.

Go to the manufacturers Support > Download site and download the proper drivers for
your device. As well, download or print any Readme/Install file if it is available
as a separate file, it may be included in the downloadable driver file instead of
separately.

Install the drivers per the manufacturers instructions.

If you need further assistance with using the app, let us know.



--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375