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Occasionally when I close out a window and return to the desktop, the screen flashes and all the icons lose their color. Many are displayed as Windows default icons but in black & white. 'Have to restart Windows to recover the original desktop with color.
Using Win98SE. Has anybody seen this before?
What causes it?
I'mot sure here but heres some things to check.Make sure your cable from monitor to computer is tight.Check out your color in display and make sure your video card has the correct drivers in it.The color should have up to at least 16 bit.
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delete c:\windows\ShellIconCache
it is a hidden file so you may have to change your window options to show hidden files.
then restart
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Often it's a problem with hidden file Shelliconcache (in c:\windows), either missing or not updating after subsequent icon additions or deletions. Usually the desktop icons take a while to get their proper appearance after a normal boot too. The following MS URL tells you what to do:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q132/6/68.asp
I would save a copy of Shelliconcache before you start just in case it refuses to rebuild. Sometimes it takes several re-boots to get it back, or for it to update.
If it is obstinate you could try drastically changing your icon layout temporarilly (ie between "Auto Arranged" on the left and spread all over the desktop). This sometimes shakes it into updating.
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If you right click on the desktop and choose "Refresh", the icons should return to normal without having to restart.
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Sorry, in my Response 3 I should have said (in the last para) re-boot after making temporary changes.
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if rightclicking and refreshing doesnt work i have a solution! go to display properties and choose to use large icons, apply and they will balloon up then set them back to normal size. this usually bring the correct color back. Dont ask me why and i wont lie to you :)
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Re Response6
I think this is another variant of my No3.
You sometimes have to "try anything" to convince Windows to update your Shelliconcache file. Once again it is best to reboot between changes.
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Thanks for all the tips. They were very helpful. Especially the clue about ShellIconCache. This prompted me to search the books on this subject. "Windows 98 Secrets" by Livingston & Straub (IDG Books Worldwide, Inc) on page 139 confirms your tips. Also they suggest using TweakUI, Repair tab to rebuild the icons. Also on the Microsoft Product Support site article Q133733 describes the problem exactly. Thanks agsain for the help.
Bill
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Thanks Bill for coming back - it's refreshing to find a poster who bothers to give us feedback. Even if our advice sometimes turns out to debateable it is handy to be updated, whatever......
Thanks again.
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