black boxes instead of desktop icons

[t5wayne]

dell studio 1545
win 7 pro 64 bit

hi everyone, im wayne from the uk.
i have been searching this and other forums for hours trying to find the cause/remedy for randomly appearing black boxes instead of desktop icons after boot up.
its 50/50 wether normal icons appear or if black boxes appear.
the icon texts are always present.

every time i boot in safe mode they appear normally.
i use the "small icon" setting, if i change to medium or large icon size i still get the "small icon" sized black box overlayed on the larger icon (half icon half black box).

has anyone come accross this problem or have any advice for me, bearing in mind my computer skills are limited.

many thanks in advance
wayne

 

[richc46]

Had this before, run and antivirus scan and a malware scan.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Yes, it can be one of many other causes and others and, maybe, myself will tell you about them, but if malware is the cause we must get it remedied, before bigger problems arise.

 

[t5wayne]

thanks richc46, i run malwarebytes regulary, spybot and am protected with norton 2010.
other than cookies no probs found.
i ran full scans on all 3 a few hours ago.

 

[richc46]

Ok first, good for you regular virus and malware checks, so many do not take that precaution:

But I digress,

When did this happen
and
What did you do befoehand? New program, unistall something, make other changes?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello t5wayne, welcome to Seven Forums!



Have a look at the tutorial at the link below to see if it's any help; be sure to keep us informed.

Icon Cache - Rebuild

 

[t5wayne]

hi,its probably been happening for months now, i have installed and uninstalled many programs.
i have not been too worried about this problem as when i moved over to 7 from vista i had many issues with internet explorer not functioning correctly and windows updates have resolved all of those problems, bieng niave i was hoping a windows update would resolve the desktop issues also.

i probably sound stupid to those with knowledge of computers but i build and repair houses, i am basically a novice in this area.

 

[t5wayne]

Hello t5wayne, welcome to Seven Forums!



Have a look at the tutorial at the link below to see if it's any help; be sure to keep us informed.

Icon Cache - Rebuild

thank you bare foot kid, i will take a look now

 

[richc46]

The tut given to you by barefoot has helped many and I hope that you will be added to the list.

You do not sound stupid, you sound very intelligent, trying to take care of your big investment with malwarebyte scans and well as antivirus scans.

After we solve your problem, you may want to stay a while and you will learn quickly. That is how I got to where I am.

 

[t5wayne]

hi, first restart gave me black boxes again but i ran without saving to desktop, saved to desktop before running the second time and i have icons back.
i will restart a few times incase its the 50/50 chance of desktop icons appearing.
will update shortly

 

[alphanumeric]

Is it all icons or just shortcuts? If it's just the icons for shortcuts, did you install anything or tweak any thing in an attempt to remove the arrows from shortcuts?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

hi, first restart gave me black boxes again but i ran without saving to desktop, saved to desktop before running the second time and i have icons back.
i will restart a few times incase its the 50/50 chance of desktop icons appearing.
will update shortly

Do be sure to post back to keep us informed.

 

[t5wayne]

Is all icons or just shortcuts? If it's just the icons for shortcuts, did you install anything or tweak any thing in an attempt to remove the arrows from shortcuts?

damn, thought we had it there, boxes back.

start menu and notification area is fine, just shortcuts.
yes, i used auslogics boostspeed to remove shortcut arrows.

>bare foot kid... is it worth me trying option 2 and 3 ?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Is all icons or just shortcuts? If it's just the icons for shortcuts, did you install anything or tweak any thing in an attempt to remove the arrows from shortcuts?

damn, thought we had it there, boxes back.

start menu and notification area is fine, just shortcuts.
yes, i used auslogics boostspeed to remove shortcut arrows.

>bare foot kid... is it worth me trying option 2 and 3 ?

Too bad it didn't work for you.

Sorry mate, I've never had need to work with the tutorial, maybe someone else will have some info for you about it.

Next time you want to remove the shortcut arrows come here first, I use this one myself and have had no problems with it.

Shortcut Arrow - Remove or Restore

 

[alphanumeric]

Is all icons or just shortcuts? If it's just the icons for shortcuts, did you install anything or tweak any thing in an attempt to remove the arrows from shortcuts?

damn, thought we had it there, boxes back.

start menu and notification area is fine, just shortcuts.
yes, i used auslogics boostspeed to remove shortcut arrows.

>bare foot kid... is it worth me trying option 2 and 3 ?

Reverse what you did to remove the shortcut arrows and see if your black boxes go away.

 

[t5wayne]

richc46
bare foot kid
alphanumeric.....

i thank you for your your warm welcome and your unconditional assistance you have offered me, ive replaced the shortcut arrows and 4 restarts later all is well

from the other side of the fish pond.... hugs and kisses.... in a manly,sporting way he he.

richc46, respect.

bfk,i will take a look at the link as to removing the unsightly shortcut arrows and weirdly the only icon without an arrow is the icon rebuilder shortcut i saved ???

alphanumeric, spot on baby !!!

i will definately be back to increase my knowledge, thanks guys.

i have not had time to explore the forum, can i make a paypal donation ?

many thanks and best regards wayne

 

[richc46]

Wayne you are so very welcome. We at the forum get out satisfaction from the members kind words, after they are helped. Speaking for everyone; you have made our day. Come back any time, you are always welcome at our Forum.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Wayne.



We're just here to help, no donation needed.

 

[t5wayne]

Wayne you are so very welcome. We at the forum get out satisfaction from the members kind words after they are helped and speaking for everyone; you have made our day. Come back any time, you are always welcome at our Forum.

good man, your kind words and assistance are appreciated

 

[t5wayne]

Hello Wayne.



We're just here to help, no donation needed.

thank you and all the best

 

[alphanumeric]

When you said " if i change to medium or large icon size i still get the "small icon" sized black box overlayed on the larger icon (half icon half black box)." in your first post I had a feeling it had to do with removing the arrows. They are just an overlay on a standard icon. I'm glad somebody linked to the tutorial, I was waiting to see if I was right before I did that. I wasn't sure, it was just a hunch. I wish Microsoft would release a tweakui for 7, the closest I've found is the Ultamate Windows Tweaker. Anyway I'm glad you got it fixed and welcome to the forums.