wierd problem in my computer
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 by JavaFiend | Discussion: Windows XP
I don't remember installing anything new or chaning anything at the time. I tried several different windowblind skins, I unloaded all stardock products, thinking that would correct it, but it is still wrong. Anyone have a thought?
I tried to load a screen shot, but I don't know how to put one in my post. If that does not make sense, I will figure it out and post it.
Thanks for any help.
Reply #2 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:37 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:03 PM
Assuming you have tried using the display properties > themes dialog to reapply the default windows theme when attempting to fix the issue, I would attempt the following:
- Reinstall IconPackager to see if that restores the correct icons.
If so, then I would suggest applying one of the icon packages that are included with the program > reboot > restore all icons using IconPackager (there is also the 'Repair Icons' option you can apply after that) > reboot.
If all icons are looking correct now, then attempt to uninstall the program again.
Note - I would perform all of the above with all customization unloaded and the default windows theme applied (with the obvious exception of the icons).
If that fails and you are comfortable with looking in the registry, you can look at the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\icofile\DefaultIcon
The values should be:
Name = (default)
Type = Reg_SZ
Data = %1
Note #2 - if you see a folder (key) named 'IconHandler' under the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\icofile
Then another program has created that key and may be at fault. ![]()
To post an image, you must upload the image to an internet host site such as 'Image Shack' which can be found here: http://imageshack.us/
First you sign-up for an account, then upload the image to your account on the site. After uploading the image you can copy the 'Direct Link' address of the image and paste it into the field available when you click the 'Insert Image' button (far right button) here in the comment section.
I hope this helps. ![]()
Reply #5 Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:39 PM
I then went into the registry. I went to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\icofile\DefaultIcon. There is one for icofile, and then under that is another for defaulticon.
The defaulticon shows the values you stated above. But the main one, icofile, shows two entries on the right, named default and ImageOptionsFlags. Values for default are type:REG_SZ, data:icon. Values for ImageOptionsFlags are type:REG_DWORD. data:0x00000000 (0).
What should I do next?
I will try to attach a screen shot to make this easier. Thanks for the instructions, saved me time. I like that.
Reply #6 Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:47 PM

Reply #8 Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:49 PM
I think I got to the area you were talking about, but I have never been in the registry before, so I don't want to mess around without some input.
Thanks again.

Reply #9 Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:52 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:15 PM
JavaFiend,
Your 'icofile' registry key is correct, so the problem is not there.
Here are two more things you can try:
1 - Look under the following registry keys for a folder (key) called 'Drive':
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer
If you see one, post a screenshot of it here (Windows XP does not have one there by default, and although IconPackager should have removed it, there may have been a glitch in the uninstall process).
2 - Try running a search for autoplay.inf (make sure to include hidden files and folders under the advanced options section of the search dialog).
If you find that file on your 'C:\' drive you can safely delete it and then reboot. This has been known to create issues with the drive icons. This file is safe to delete because it will be recreated if needed and should not create another issue after the issue is fixed.
Other than that, I would wait for someone who is running XP (I am now on Vista) who can tell you if there is a 'Drive' listing under 'Folder Options > File types' where you can use the 'Advanced' button to change the icon (I just can't remember for sure if that is listed).
I hope this helps. ![]()
Reply #11 Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:29 PM
My Computer > tools > folder options > file types
for me: Drive is 5th one down
click to highlight > then click the advanced button
change icon button on top right
Reply #12 Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:03 PM
I searched for this, found nothing.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer
If you see one, post a screenshot of it here (Windows XP does not have one there by default, and although IconPackager should have removed it, there may have been a glitch in the uninstall process).
Same here, found nothing, but I may have found the problem. In the same area, the defaulticon for drive c is still looking for an image from iconpackager. What should this be by default? If I switch it back, it looks like that may fix it.

Reply #13 Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:10 PM
Reply #14 Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:12 PM
JavaFiend,
That 'DriveIcons' key is the problem.
Just delete that 'DriveIcons' key (folder) in the registry and reboot.
That should do it. ![]()
Note - FYI that key was created by IconPackager which is no longer installed and is not needed.
Reply #16 Friday, December 21, 2007 2:29 AM
I'm not sure if it will help,the tools-folder options window has "restore defaults" buttons,also microsofts tweakui has a rebuild icon cache button tho i don't know if it will fix the missing overlay.
Reply #17 Friday, December 21, 2007 11:53 PM
Just delete that 'DriveIcons' key (folder) in the registry and reboot.
That should do it.
Worked like a charm. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!
I still have that other problem. When I go into my computer and double click on any drive, c, d, e, it opens a separate window for a search. Any thoughts on this one?
Reply #18 Friday, December 21, 2007 11:53 PM
I had tried that as well. It took a delete of that one registry key. That solved it. Now to just get my drives to open properly.....
Reply #19 Saturday, December 22, 2007 12:00 AM
Thanks again for all the help from everyone here. I really appreciate it.
Reply #20 Saturday, December 22, 2007 6:39 PM
No problem. ![]()
I would make sure that the 'Launch folder windows in a separate process' is deselected under 'Folder options > View tab' to start with.
After that, I would go back into the 'My Computer > tools > folder options > file types' mentioned by Bichur and see if you somehow changed the default program to open that 'file type' (I believe it should be 'explorer.exe, but again; I am running Vista which no longer has the 'file type' section in folder options).
Hopefully someone running XP can offer the default listing for the 'drive' file type on their system to steer you in the right direction.
This one sounds like XP is seeing your 'C:\' drive as a video folder for some reason. I have no real idea on how that would have occured or where in the registry it would be stored (if it is stored there).
You can run the following command via the command prompt: sfc /scannow
Note - to load the command prompt, you can use: 'Start > run > type: cmd > press 'Enter' > then type the command above (there is a space between the 'sfc' and the '/scannow' text) > press 'Enter' to run the command. This will run the 'system file checker' function in XP which will look for corrupt files and attempt to replace any found with either the cache that Windows creates or by asking you to insert the XP installation disc (hopefully you have one).
Alternatively, you can use the 'right-click drive > Properties > Tools > 'Check Now' button under the 'Error-checking' section to run the file checker. Note - you will want to select the 'Automatically fix file system errors' to have the process fix problems.
Again, I am not sure why XP is seeing your drive as a video folder, but this is a place to start.
I hope this helps. ![]()
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!








Reply #1 Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:11 PM