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Tech Help: Icons problem

09 Sep 11 - 06:40 AM (#3220524)
Subject: TECH HELP Icons problem
From: MikeL2

Hi

Anybody help??

Somehow I have managed to arrive on a situation where all the icons on my desktop have been changed to the same one. This means that I can only access one program to one program. The titles of the previous programs remain underneath the icons.

When I try to click on a program I want, I get the same program whichever one I select.

The same thing has happened to the list of most recently used programs that I access from the start menu.

Also when I choose aprogram from the "All Programs" list

In summary at the moment I can only access one program regardless of which program I choose.

I have tried to find a way of changing it back but I haven't managed to do it.

I am using Windows 7 .

Cheers

Mike

09 Sep 11 - 02:26 PM (#3220746)
Subject: RE: TECH HELP Icons problem
From: dick greenhaus

try a system restore, going back to a point where things worked

09 Sep 11 - 03:07 PM (#3220772)
Subject: RE: Tech Help: Icons problem
From: MikeL2

hi Dick

That is what I have done, and everything is fine - just lost some stuff I had done in the afternoon. So many thanks.

However I would be interested to hear if anyone knows what I did and if there is a "quick fix" way out of it.

I have always been a little apprehensive about restores because I had some problems with one some years ago. However this one worked fine and very quickly too.

Thanks

Regards

Mike

09 Sep 11 - 03:13 PM (#3220778)
Subject: RE: Tech Help: Icons problem
From: Bill D

I used Iconoid, which saves icon setup on the desktop. It avoids MOST problems, though I have never encountered the one you had!

09 Sep 11 - 04:17 PM (#3220815)
Subject: RE: Tech Help: Icons problem
From: Joe Offer

Well, I see two answers that look like a possibility:
  • A Microsoft technician at answers.microsoft.com seems to think it's malware, and gives instructions.
  • howtogeek.com describes a solution to another, similar problem - but it relates only to thumbnail icons.
I've had the problem, and I think I just used disk cleanup to clear it. I think I may have also used a registry cleaner. Windows 7 have a number of built-in maintenance tools that make things run more smoothly. Look under Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools. Norton and McAfee antivirus/Internet security products also usually include a number of helpful system tools.

-Joe-

10 Sep 11 - 04:09 AM (#3221000)
Subject: RE: Tech Help: Icons problem
From: MikeL2

Hi Joe

Many thanks for your comments.

The situation you supplied where the Microsoft Technician was aswering a request for help is EXACTLY what happened to me. It is described batter there though.

As I said earlier I did a restore more or less straight away and it appeared to have solved the problem. Since then I have run my Malware and spyware and virus checkers. They have all reported no problems.
I also ran a disc clean program and again nothing was reported.

As a final check I am running Malwarebytes - it takes a long time and after an hour and 10 minutes it is reporting as clear.

I also uninstalled the program that I believe caused the problem "NCH Photostage". It was a bit " reluctant" to go but I managed it in the end.

Thanks once again for you help - as somebody said here earlier this week, Mudcat comes up with technical help and assistance far better than most of those "Geeky" technical help and support sites.....and long may it continue.

Cheers

Mike

10 Sep 11 - 04:14 AM (#3221002)
Subject: RE: Tech Help: Icons problem
From: MikeL2

Hi Bill

Iconoid looks interesting. I haven't had the time yet to examine it properly but it looks useful little program.

Some time ago a "computer savvy" pal of mine told me about possible risk of the icons being infected and I just ignored it, thinking that he was being over-cautious.

This episode has opened my eyes and I will be more alert to the possibilities in the future.

Thanks once again Bill. You certainly have a veritable cache of useful programs for all situations at your fingertips.

Cheers

Mike