Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: jmartin49 on May 23, 2007, 12:04:36 PM

Title: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: jmartin49 on May 23, 2007, 12:04:36 PM

Windows XP Home Edition service pack 2

Hi

I'm hoping someone here can help me with a annoying problem that has recently developed on my system.

Whenever I switch the system on my desktop icons are not in the original places, also my quicklaunch bar is always switched off (I have to go to the TASKBAR-PROPERTIES in order to switch it back on. Also when I re-arrange the desktop to my liking sometimes when opening folders or files the desktop suddenly seems to glitch and then re-arranges itself!

I have tried a system restore but that fails to complete properly, I've run virus scans which are negative. Win XP says it's saving my settings when I turn off, so I'm at a loss as to why this is happening. Everything else seems to work fine.

Any ideas gratefully received

Thanks
Jon

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: Sid on May 23, 2007, 01:05:31 PM

What protection are you using?

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 23, 2007, 01:43:55 PM

when did start?? any new software or hardware added to the machine??

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: jmartin49 on May 23, 2007, 02:06:29 PM

I have'nt installed any new software as far as i can remember except a freeware program called regseeker (it cleans the windows registry) I think i used that but I ran the backup facility in that software so the registry should be as it was.

As to protection i use the windows firewall, panda on-line virus scan & avg anti-virus

Jon

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 23, 2007, 02:16:43 PM

ummm look at my signature get those programs up date them run scans in safe mode(rapidly tap f8 before winodws loads) run them one at a time,

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: patio on May 23, 2007, 03:16:27 PM

Right clik an empty area of the desktop and select arrange icons...make sure auto arrange is turned off...

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: jmartin49 on May 24, 2007, 03:36:00 AM

Thanks for your suggestions, I've basically tried all the scans, anti-virus, spybot, superantispyware, ccleaner etc. Auto Arrange is switched off as well.

None of this has fixed the problem, my desktop icons are still not where they should be on boot up & the quicklaunch bar is absent. The desktop still glitches & re-arranges itself sometimes for example when I have a lot of windows open & I hit the show desktop button from the quicklaunch bar.

Could this be a graphics card issue I ask myself??

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: ale52 on May 24, 2007, 07:43:10 AM

Did you have the problem before you installed regseeker / did you do a registry restore (not system restore) from the back up of the registry you did?

Alan <><  :D

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: jmartin49 on May 24, 2007, 09:47:52 AM

Alan

I had this problem for a while, I think it probably did manifest itself after I installed regseeker. I have backed up the registry from within regseeker, except one item on the regseeker backup list won't restore I get an 'error accessing the registtry' message.

Basically I don't have much experiance regarding registry issues, so if this problem is related to the registry then I feel pretty stuck.

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 24, 2007, 10:23:50 AM

try system restore

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: jmartin49 on May 24, 2007, 10:50:55 AM

Already tried that, system restore only gets so far...on re-boot it tells me that it could'nt be completed!

Title: Re: Desktop Icons keep re-arranging themselves
Post by: patio on May 24, 2007, 01:56:59 PM

System File Checker.

Start/Run sfc /scannow and hit Enter...have your XP CD handy as it will ask for it.
Let it run to completion and re-boot when it's finished...