Blanked out icons

Just lately my XP boots up with blanked out icons and takes 2 minutes to emerge.

Driving me nutz.

Bob Bigart

 

Sounds like your pc could use a spring cleanup. Have you tried ccleaner?

 

I have been running all the program repairs and nothing fixes the problems (I am on XP PRO service pack 3 and all the protection such as Microsoft Essentials, Microsoft Defender, MalwareBytes, System Mechanics, Avast Free Program.)

When I Boot up all icons load in a blank look then as the program load other stuff it loads the icons and it takes a little over two minutes to load all the the icon faces.

This all started 3 weeks ago and I figured one of the repair programs caused it.

By the way I always run Cleaner, and CCleaner at least once a week.

I hope that one of them didn't cause it.

I sure hope that someone can HELP me cause this is making me nutz.

Bob Bigart

 

I have a five year old XP installation which I can boot into instead of Win 7 and that has progressively developed the same problem - takes about two minutes to load the 'correct' icons to the desktop, though they do all get there in the end. I know my way around but have not been able to find the cause of this one. XP definitely degenerates as it gets older so in my case anyway I'm pretty sure the only cure would be to set it up again. I did so on an old laptop recently and it was completely transformed.

 

You wrote you have System Mechanics is this the iolo "speed up your PC" software?
I have never used this software but check in the settings/options of System Mechanic and see if it has IconCache database listed. If yes, is it set to be cleared?
Clearing (deleting) the IconCache is ok but the icons will load slowly for a while until the Iconcache is fully reproduced.
If it is set to clear the IconCache every time you run System Mechanic then the database would need to be constantly reproduced.

If that is not the problem then I wonder if it could it be a corruption in the IconCache database? Deleting that database is easy and it will be reproduced.
Even if it's not the problem it doesn't hurt to rebuild the database occasionally (once a year for me), at least you will know there is no corruption and can strike it off the list of possibilities.
If you want to give it a try here are the instructions.

IconCache.db is a hidden file so you will need to go to any folder and in the Menu > Tools > Folder Options > View > Hidden files and folders > select 'Show hidden files and folders' > Apply

Launch Windows Explorer (WinKey+E) and navigate
C:\Documents and Settings\<Your User Name>\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db

(If you want to feel 'safe' you can copy the IconCache to somewhere on your computer but don't forget to delete it when you are sure it's not needed. I have never had a problem with the IconCache being reproduced.)
Delete the IconCache file and restart your computer.

The IconCache will be fully reproduced over time, the loading of icons will be slow at first while the IconCache is being reproduced but will become normal eventually.

Don't forget, if you want to hide the hidden files again then go to any folder and in the Menu > Tools > Folder Options > View > Hidden files and folders > select 'Do not show hidden files and folders' > Apply

Where possible that is often the best solution rather than trying to chase a problem round a computer.
Backup (copy) all the important personal files and go back to a clean machine.

 

I checked C/drive and can't find the (IconCache.db) file in the Applicaeion Data file.

I searched the computer and found it in the E partition of my 2nd Drive.

What do I do now.

Bob Bigart

 

When was the last time ye defragged yer computer?

 

Just to double check, you did have Show hidden files and folders selected for the C drive?

I have never used a partition so I can't help you with how or why your IconCache.db is in the E partition and not in C.
Best not to delete that file until someone with partition experience drops in and can explain what is happening.

 

I defraged 2 months ago.

Bob Bigart

 

I still haven't been able to solve this problem.

Every once in a while when I go to Disk C,E,F this happens.

Bob Bigart

 

try this: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/linkfile_fix.zip

source: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

I loaded the ZIP file fix and extracted the linkfile_fix.reg file but can't figure where or how to copy it to.

Bob Bigart

 

You don't have to copy it at all, just double click it. That installs it to your registry. I would take a system restore point first though, so you can easily revert if it isn't successful.

 

as long as you extracted it and double clicked/merged into registry is all you need to do.

it may or may not fix your problem, just offering a suggestion.

 

It didn't fix my problem.

Reducing my number of ICONS didn't help.

Bob Bigart

 

k now try this:

First, you need to be able to view hidden and system files

How to view hidden, system files & folders!

After you've done that.. Go to

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\

Once inside the folder, delete IconCache.db. Create a new file named IconCache.db, and set it to Read Only attribute in Properties (if the file is not read only, the cache won’t be reset). Then restart the computer. Remove the Read Only attribute of IconCache.db file, and the icons cache will be refreshed. The step will restore the desktop shortcut icons to their lawfully icons.

 

Still doesn't help.

Bob Bigart

 

I'm out of ideas except this last one but since deleting the Icon Cache database did not help I doubt this will help either but it's quick, easy and shouldn't cause any problems
You can renew the ShellIconCache file by changing the color depth (quality) and then changing it back again.

1) Right click on an empty space on the desktop, select Properties and click the Settings tab
2) Change the Color Quality to a new setting (EG: Change from 32 bit to 16 bit)
3) Click Apply (screen will 'flash' as change is made) Do the icons appear now?
4) Change the Color Quality back to the original setting
5) Click Apply (screen will 'flash' as change is made)
6) Click OK

 

if the above doesn't work, here's another quick fix:

http://majorgeeks.com/FixWin_d6302.html

extract, run the .exe
ADDITIONAL FIXES tab

"Fix Corrupted Desktop Icons. Clear and rebuild corrupted icon cache and increase maximum icon cache limit up to 5000"

Reboot PC

 

That is for Vista not win-XP

Bob Bigart

 

I can't beleve that somebody else hasn't had this problem.

Bob Bigart