Drive Icons Changing - Default Icon Definition?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi,

I experience a problem with my XP SP2 system on a fairly regular basis
regarding the icons presented for various drives in Windows Explorer.

I use a variety of auxilliary devices which affect the drive letter
assignment. My system has a built in card reader for memory cards (SD,
compact flash, and others). I also use multiple external hard drives plugged
in at various times through either USB 2.0 or FireWire ports. And, I recently
installed a Zip 750 USB 2.0 drive.

Without making this too drawn out, the basic problem is that Windows assigns
drive icons to these various devices in a way that isn't consistent with the
device. For example, I now have only the Zip drive attached, and the icon is
that of a SD card; but, the description for the icon is correct for the
device (Zip750 (F:)). Sometimes the icons are correct for the various
devices, sometimes they are not.

This problem also occurs with the icons for the two CD/DVD drives which are
installed.

In all cases the devices are working properly, although their icons are wrong.

Restarting the system does not affect the icon, nor does safely removing the
device (such as the Zip drive) and re-attaching it.

If anyone has any input, I would sure appreciate it. Although this would
probably only be considered an inconvenience, it sure doesn't seem right.

Thanks

Jeff
 
Jeff said:
Hi,

I experience a problem with my XP SP2 system on a fairly regular basis
regarding the icons presented for various drives in Windows Explorer.

I use a variety of auxilliary devices which affect the drive letter
assignment. My system has a built in card reader for memory cards (SD,
compact flash, and others). I also use multiple external hard drives
plugged
in at various times through either USB 2.0 or FireWire ports. And, I
recently
installed a Zip 750 USB 2.0 drive.

Without making this too drawn out, the basic problem is that Windows
assigns
drive icons to these various devices in a way that isn't consistent with
the
device. For example, I now have only the Zip drive attached, and the icon
is
that of a SD card; but, the description for the icon is correct for the
device (Zip750 (F:)). Sometimes the icons are correct for the various
devices, sometimes they are not.

This problem also occurs with the icons for the two CD/DVD drives which
are
installed.

In all cases the devices are working properly, although their icons are
wrong.

Restarting the system does not affect the icon, nor does safely removing
the
device (such as the Zip drive) and re-attaching it.

If anyone has any input, I would sure appreciate it. Although this would
probably only be considered an inconvenience, it sure doesn't seem right.
Click to expand...
Microsoft screwed up how XP SP2 handles external USB hard drives and I see
this pertaining quite often also to readers.

Use TweakUI and assign permanent drive letters to each of your devices...
nearer to the end of the alphabet. Windows gets easily confused by all the
changing activity upfront (C/D/E/F... etc.).
 
Hi Smoker,

Thanks for your response.

I have tried assigning drive letters using one of the management tools in
XP. The problem is that when devices are removed and then later reattached
(after a restart or two), the letters are automatically assigned by Windows.

The real issue here isn't the drive letter assignments, it is the icon
assignments. I discovered a section in the registry yesterday that assigned
default icons and names for four drives. (I'm sure this was for the 4-card
reader originally installed on the system.) I deleted the keys for those
drive icons, yet when Windows restarts the keys have been restored. (I made a
separate post on the General section of this board yesterday afternoon.)

Also, I can't see a way to use TweakUI to change drive letters. Can you help?

Jeff
 
Hi,

Sorry to waste the board space.... Problem solved.

The machine in question is a Compaq X09. For kicks I visited H-P's website
and searched around for a while. There was an update that I found for the
card reader that sounded like it might correct the problem. I tried it, and
it did. (I am curious, though, what the fix actually modified as there were
no details provided. I'm just glad that it worked.)

Thanks anyway.

Jeff
 
Back
Top