XP desktop problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phil
  • Start date Start date
P

Phil

Every time I open my user, the desk top rearranges with everything
grouped on the left side of the screen. I move icons where I want
them, but next time, it is rearranged.

Also, there are items that show up when I look at the desktop in
Windows Explorer, but are not visible on the screen. If I try to
duplicate the shortcuts onto the screen, it tellls me they are already
there. How do I restore these icons to visibility?

TIA

Phil
 
Every time I open my user, the desk top rearranges with everything
grouped on the left side of the screen. I move icons where I want
them, but next time, it is rearranged.

Also, there are items that show up when I look at the desktop in
Windows Explorer, but are not visible on the screen. If I try to
duplicate the shortcuts onto the screen, it tellls me they are already
there. How do I restore these icons to visibility?

TIA

Phil
Click to expand...



First thing I'd do is turn off "auto-arrange"


http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...s/display_desktop_icons_arrange.mspx?mfr=true
 
Phil said:
Every time I open my user, the desk top rearranges with everything
grouped on the left side of the screen. I move icons where I want
them, but next time, it is rearranged.
Click to expand...

Is this because you changed the screen resolution and then changed
back? When you switch to a smaller resolution, the desktop icons get
moved so they will still fit in the now smaller desktop space. When
you switch back to the higher resolution, the icons aren't going to
move back to their original positions.

If you are switching resolutions or performing some action that
requires repositioning of desktop icons (so they remain visible) then
look at something like Stardock Fences (free) that will keep your icons
inside fenced areas and get positioned where you want them.
Also, there are items that show up when I look at the desktop in
Windows Explorer,
Click to expand...

Does that mean you are looking at the %userprofile%\Desktop folder in
Windows Explorer? If so, and if you have "show system files" enabled
then there will be objects, like desktop.ini, that won't show in the
desktop. They aren't desktop-visible items. What *items* are you
asking about?
but are not visible on the screen. If I try to duplicate the shortcuts
onto the screen, it tellls me they are already there. How do I
restore these icons to visibility?
Click to expand...

Do these objects have the hidden file attribute set on them?
 
Thanks, but I already checked and it isn't on. The only thing I have
on is, "show desktop icons"

Phil
 
Yes, a DVD automatically changed the screen resolution, but I changed
it back and then put the icons (that I could see) back where I wanted
them. It still keeps rearranging on its own, although the resolution
stays correct.

TRhe items that show in Windows Explorer are shortcut itams for
programs that should show on the screen, but don't. Somehow, they are
"there" because if I try to put the shortcut back, it asks me if I
want to over-write and existing icon shortcut. (For photoshop, for
example)

They are not hidden. Also, in some case, if I try to make a new
shortcut and put it on the desk top, it won't , telling me that the
source and destination are the same, which is (sort of) true!

Phil
 
Phil said:
Yes, a DVD automatically changed the screen resolution, but I changed
it back and then put the icons (that I could see) back where I wanted
them. It still keeps rearranging on its own, although the resolution
stays correct.
Click to expand...

Does the screen "flash" when you made whatever changes trying to keep
the same resolution? If so, just because it was one screen resolution
before and the same after doesn't mean there wasn't an intervening
change in resolution (i.e., one resolution, change to another, change
to the original resolution but that means screen resolution did change
which means repositioning of the desktop icons).

You're obviously doing something that forces the desktop icons to get
moved so they remain within the visible screen screen size for the
desktop.
TRhe items that show in Windows Explorer are shortcut itams for
programs that should show on the screen, but don't. Somehow, they are
"there" because if I try to put the shortcut back, it asks me if I
want to over-write and existing icon shortcut. (For photoshop, for
example)
Click to expand...

What is the folder where you think are the shortcuts that you believe
should be on the desktop?
They are not hidden. Also, in some case, if I try to make a new
shortcut and put it on the desk top, it won't , telling me that the
source and destination are the same, which is (sort of) true!
Click to expand...

Have you tried rebooting into Windows' safe mode and recheck?
 
Did you select ***Align to Grid*** Right click on Desktop\Arrange Icons By\Align to
Grid

--
Peter
Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
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Phil said:
Yes, a DVD automatically changed the screen resolution, but I changed
it back and then put the icons (that I could see) back where I wanted
them. It still keeps rearranging on its own, although the resolution
stays correct.
Click to expand...

Try "Align to Grid"
__________________
TRhe items that show in Windows Explorer are shortcut itams for
programs that should show on the screen, but don't. Somehow, they are
"there" because if I try to put the shortcut back, it asks me if I
want to over-write and existing icon shortcut. (For photoshop, for
example)

They are not hidden. Also, in some case, if I try to make a new
shortcut and put it on the desk top, it won't , telling me that the
source and destination are the same, which is (sort of) true!
Click to expand...

Using Windows Explorer, browse to the desktop folder you are using (there is
one for "All Users" and for each individual user) and move all the icons to
a new temporary folder. The desktop (screen) should now be empty. Close
Win Explorer and drag the icon from the temp folder to the desktop (screen).

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
 
Thanks, but I already checked and it isn't on. The only thing I have
on is, "show desktop icons"
Click to expand...



Some times you need to "toggle" the settings

In other words... opt for auto arrange

then save


next turn off auto arrange
 
Every time I open my user, the desk top rearranges with everything
grouped on the left side of the screen. I move icons where I want
them, but next time, it is rearranged.

Also, there are items that show up when I look at the desktop in
Windows Explorer, but are not visible on the screen. If I try to
duplicate the shortcuts onto the screen, it tellls me they are already
there. How do I restore these icons to visibility?

TIA

Phil
Click to expand...

Phil... there are so many other avenues to use besides desktop icons. As
there are other things like Rocketdock (free), Aston Shell (commercial),
etc. that handles this stuff so much better. Plus you can see the
wallpaper without any icons littering all over it. I know it is sort of
a big step for most people. But once you get passed it you never want to
go back. And you never have to worry about icons moving around your
desktop ever again. And when you are ready, we'll talk. ;-)
 
Does the screen "flash" when you made whatever changes trying to keep
the same resolution? If so, just because it was one screen resolution
before and the same after doesn't mean there wasn't an intervening
change in resolution (i.e., one resolution, change to another, change
to the original resolution but that means screen resolution did change
which means repositioning of the desktop icons).
Click to expand...
I understand why the icons repositions. I just don't know why I can't
keep them where I put them once I reset the screen resolution.
You're obviously doing something that forces the desktop icons to get
moved so they remain within the visible screen screen size for the
desktop.
Click to expand...
Actually, some of them are "on the desktop" but not visible.
What is the folder where you think are the shortcuts that you believe
should be on the desktop?
Desktop!

Have you tried rebooting into Windows' safe mode and recheck?
Click to expand...

No, I haven't. After trying to allign to grid, and seeing if it works,
this is a possibility.

Phil
 
Using Windows Explorer, browse to the desktop folder you are using (there is
one for "All Users" and for each individual user) and move all the icons to
a new temporary folder. The desktop (screen) should now be empty. Close
Win Explorer and drag the icon from the temp folder to the desktop (screen).
Click to expand...

Interesting band aid. It is on the list to try!

Phil
 
Phil... there are so many other avenues to use besides desktop icons. As
there are other things like Rocketdock (free), Aston Shell (commercial),
etc. that handles this stuff so much better. Plus you can see the
wallpaper without any icons littering all over it. I know it is sort of
a big step for most people. But once you get passed it you never want to
go back. And you never have to worry about icons moving around your
desktop ever again. And when you are ready, we'll talk. ;-)
Click to expand...

I'll look into Rocketdock. Sounds interesting!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed!

Phil
 
Phil said:
I understand why the icons repositions. I just don't know why I can't
keep them where I put them once I reset the screen resolution.
Click to expand...

Because icon positions are not recorded by the screen resolution.
There isn't a grid or table of positions based on screen resolution.
The icons are positioned based on spacing and gridding.
Desktop!
Click to expand...

That's not a folder. That's a description of a workspace (which, in
this case, used explorer.exe as the desktop manager). What is the
*folder*, including the full path to it, where you say are the hidden
shortcuts (.lnk files)? For example, you might be looking at the
folder for the desktop but for a different account.

"Desktop" is not necessarily a folder. "C:\Windows" and "C:\Program
Files" are folders (aka directories). When you say "Desktop" and if
you mean to indicate that is the folder's name then what is the full
path to that folder?
 
Phil said:
I'll look into Rocketdock. Sounds interesting!
Click to expand...

RocketDock is an app launcher. There are lots of those. This one has a
pretty blended interface with animation of the shortcut icons as you
hover over them. It won't do anything to lock the desktop icons in
place. It is a *replacement* for the desktop icons and Start menu.
Think of it like a toolbar that you can add to the Windows taskbar (and
then choose to drag out of the taskbar to put somewhere else on the
screen).

Stardock's Fences (also free) will manage your desktop icons and keep
them in the same positions when you switch screen resolutions and then
switch back.

If you keep your desktop icons within the screen realestate for the
lowest screen resolution then the icons won't be moving around. They're
in the screen space for, say, 640x480, while you have the screen
resolution at 1600, so moving to the lower resolution and back will end
up with the icons being in the same spot in both resolutions. Of
course, that means you lose using the bottom and right side of your
desktop to place the icons.
 
In
VanguardLH said:
RocketDock is an app launcher.
Click to expand...

Of course, so are desktop icons.
There are lots of those. This one has a pretty blended interface with
animation of the shortcut icons as you hover over them. It won't do
anything to lock the desktop icons in place. It is a *replacement* for
the desktop icons and Start menu. Think of it like a toolbar that you
can add to the Windows taskbar (and then choose to drag out of the
taskbar to put somewhere else on the screen).
Click to expand...

Of course these desktop tools doesn't do anything for locking desktop
icons. That is because they replace the desktop icons with a far better
solution.
Stardock's Fences (also free) will manage your desktop icons and keep
them in the same positions when you switch screen resolutions and then
switch back.

If you keep your desktop icons within the screen realestate for the
lowest screen resolution then the icons won't be moving around.
They're in the screen space for, say, 640x480, while you have the
screen resolution at 1600, so moving to the lower resolution and back
will end up with the icons being in the same spot in both
resolutions. Of course, that means you lose using the bottom and
right side of your desktop to place the icons.
Click to expand...

That is what I am saying, why bother with desktop icons at all? Use a
far better solution and get rid of them. My personal preference is Aston
Shell (free trial). As it has the Launch Bar (like RocketDock, but also
adds groups too. Also side Toolbars, widgets (like Windows 7 gadgets),
and many other useful things.
 
Well, I woke up, turned on the computer and.... all the icons were
moved and bunched up again. Some were, once again missing, even though
I had restored them yesterday.

Before trying the alternative launchers, which sound fun, I still
would like to figure out what is screwing up my system. I am not
changing resolutions and the icons still are moved again everytime I
boot up my user.

All align to grid does is.... align to grid, ie, keep an icon at the
closest grid point, but it doesn't stop the realligning.

Sigh..... Phil
 
In
Phil said:
Well, I woke up, turned on the computer and.... all the icons were
moved and bunched up again. Some were, once again missing, even though
I had restored them yesterday.

Before trying the alternative launchers, which sound fun, I still
would like to figure out what is screwing up my system. I am not
changing resolutions and the icons still are moved again everytime I
boot up my user.

All align to grid does is.... align to grid, ie, keep an icon at the
closest grid point, but it doesn't stop the realligning.

Sigh..... Phil
Click to expand...

I know Phil. That is why I turn off (hide and ignore) my desktop icons
and use something else. As there is no way to fix this problem with the
desktop icons.
 
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