Icons disappeared from Explorer

[druid]

Ok, I got my hdd problem solved. I cloned my old system drive to a new hdd but it also required a partial reinstall (repair option from the installer, NOT the recovery console).

It lead to two peculiar things:

My system drive is now G: and there is no C: drive anywhere
Icons have disappeared from Explorer's folder tree (check the pic)

The first didn't really produce much problems but I still ran a search&replace in the registry to change all paths including C: to G:. This didn't quite change every key, only the values but I think I can live with that.

I'd like to fix the latter problem. It is really reducing the usability, I keep clicking at wrong spots. Couldn't find anything on the issue, maybe it's too arcane? Running XP Pro here, SP1 and other updates were done after the reinstall (which btw migrated pretty much everything without problems except MS Office).

The icons appear normally if in the different folder and file selection dialogs, just not in Explorer. Help. :confused:

[tikdoph]

I'd do several things, including running a Registry cleaner, running the Icon Repair feature in TweakUI (Comes with Power Toys for WinXP), uninstalling and reinstalling IE through Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components (this is a longshot, but it somehow fixed a wacky Explorer issue I once had, so it's worth a go), and playing with your graphics settings.

You're right... 'tis a weird one. I'll see if I can find anything on it myself.

[druid]

Originally posted by tikdoph
I'd do several things, including running a Registry cleaner, running the Icon Repair feature in TweakUI (Comes with Power Toys for WinXP), uninstalling and reinstalling IE through Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components (this is a longshot, but it somehow fixed a wacky Explorer issue I once had, so it's worth a go), and playing with your graphics settings.


All of your suggestions make sense. IE and Explorer are practically the same so...(SP1 did update IE though). And thanks for reminding me about TweakUI, I had a faint idea that there's a program to tweak the icons but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was.

I'll see if those help.

[Bostonmess]

<-------- Dumbo speaks: What would replacing explorer do?

[dozer]

i think clone/ghost just doesnt go well with xp. ive had so many problems with good images not working on other pcs when cloned.

previous suggestions look good, the icons missing is pretty whack.

[druid]

Originally posted by dozer
i think clone/ghost just doesnt go well with xp. ive had so many problems with good images not working on other pcs when cloned.

Don't even get me started with the re-installation and subsequent reactivation.

Situation update:

Regclean restored the + and - symbols to the nice XP style shaded boxes instead of the ones shown in my screenshot. TweakUI's Repair Icons feature doesn't seem to change anything. I booted after cleaning the registry. TweakUI just arranged my desktop icons in a neat grid, i.e. messed with my careful grouping :p

Bostonmess: it's not a bad idea but is it even possible and if it is can it be done without maiming the system? I think the reinstall of IE (which sounds pretty scary too) is the way to go first.

[tikdoph]

The plot thickens... someone else (http://techies.co.za/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=598) had exactly the same problem, with exactly the same drive letters.

Unfortunately their way of solving it involved reinstalling.

Reinstalling IE isn't as scary as it sounds... I've never had a customer have a problem caused by doing it, and I've gotten people to do it hundreds of times. It doesn't even require the WinXP CD. It's pretty much just a case of unticking the IE check box in Add/Remove Windows Components, then rebooting, then going back in and reticking the box and rebooting again.

[druid]

Bloody C:... If I reinstall IE will my cookies and favorites be preserved and successfully reloaded? They are both under my profile so my guess is yes but better safe than sorry. What about other settings (plugins, security, privacy)?

I also read an article about hacking the registry to change the system drive letter. Should have probably done that before but my apps had already been migrated to G: If the IE trick doesn't help I guess I'll just live with it until I can be arsed to reinstall everything again.

[tikdoph]

It shouldn't affect any settings, cookies, or favourites, however, if you have something like a Google toolbar, you'll need to reinstall it.

[Bostonmess]

You can always use the files and settings transfer wizard? Or just back up your cookies and favourites?

[druid]

So, seeing from tikdoph's link that Windows really likes C: I created a network mapping with that drive letter to \\<hostname>\G$

And guess what, the icons are back! Can you say "kludge"? Thanks for everyone who participated!

[tikdoph]

*Brilliant* workaround. Congrats. :D

[Drakin]

To change the drive letter all you have to do is boot of another drive/disk and then go into admin tools, comp management and disk management and right click the drive and choose change drive letter.

[druid]

How do you suggest I change the system drive letter? It's the only one that can't be changed from the disk manager, believe me it was the first thing I did. I would need another XP installation/clone for that. And when I'd boot back to my normal environment it wouldn't really know about drive letters that were set in another OS and would probably shuffle the letters again, am I right?