Icon Missing From Exe.

The executable of MyPhoneExplorer doesn't have it's icon.
I found the previous exe (which does have it's icon) and compared the two files. The MD5, CRC32, SHA1 and file sizes are identical.



As a test, I deleted the exe and in the Recycle Bin it has an icon.
After restoring the deleted file, I replaced it with the old file and it's icon disappeared.
What's going on?

 

Thanks plodr.
I thought rebuilding the icon cache is only for shortcuts.

I fixed it by copying the previous version and replacing the current version. Although this is a first, I think the problem is with the exe. I can view the icons in IconLib.dll & uninstall.exe using CFi ShellToys, but I cannot view the icons in MyPhoneExplorer.exe.

 

Eldon...seen this before too. I have this problem with a disk icon on a PC. I installed Portable Apps on the backup drive, and it changed the icon. Then I moved PortableApps, and the icon vanished, leaving the same type of icon you see.

I guess Plodr is right that the icon cache is wrecked, but, in my case, I tried repairing the icon cache and nothing. O/C, I realized later that I had removed the actual registered icon for the drive from its location when I moved P/A, but I was hoping to get the default system icon back for the drive. No such luck. There is an area in the registry for declaring icons for programs if I recall correctly in the Software area. I wasn't able to find a way to repair my issue, but it might be able to find a way to repair an .exe icon using that method.

I know this looks like the problem is with the .exe, but I suspect it is a registry association that is somehow corrupted. For example, if there is all the sudden for some reason (failed/incomplete write or something) in the registry no pic assoicated with the .exe as its icon, I think that would lead to this situation. Also, I think the system icons are tougher to fix, because they are controlled by the system. Read something on sevenforums I am going to try on the messed up drive icon I have here, which amounts to deleting autorun.inf if there is one on the drive. Maybe that will work. It's been messed up for over a year, and I have to get around to hooking up that PC to try the fix.

Something kind of interesting at wikiHow. You can change the icon of an .exe using Resource Hacker. I haven't tried this, but here is the link. This does seem like a good idea, considering some icons are so close in appearance. Don't think I will mess with it, though. Anyway, here is the link:

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Icon-for-an-Exe-File

 

I think you're right about the icon being registered in the registry. Unfortunately, there are often more than one registry entry to control one funtion/feature.

Delete it.

Only if the exe is not encrypted. And it easier said than done.
I have used the trial of Microangelo Toolset 6.1 to change the icon of an exe file.
http://microangelo.us/icon-editor.asp

 

Thanks for the info. I deleted it, but it didn't change. Probably need to reboot, but I'm on a 73 day boot with that PC, and I want to see how long I can keep it going LOL. 73 days is by far the record so far for me, and I've been trying to keep them all on and in standby when not in use for several years now...