Desktop icons won't change and can't remove file

I placed a link on my desktop from the web, now when not on the internet, it
appears as a white box with a red x in it. I cannot remove it or select it.
When on the internet, the actual picture ( a circuit diagram) appears, I
assume from the link.

Also, my icon wording has colored boxes around them which I cannot remove
either. I tried making the selection "translucent" in the performance-visual
options, but no go.

Also, when I start windows, I now get a message that the security settings
do not allow active x to run, so my desktop properties may not display
properly.

Can anyone help me straighten out whatever I did?

System restore did not repair.

1. Open Control Panel, double-click Display.
2. Click the Desktop tab, and choose "Customize Desktop".
3. Select the "Web" tab
4. Delete all the items except "My current Home page"
5. Uncheck "My current Home page"
6. Click OK, and now select your Desktop background
7. Click OK and close the dialog.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


"R o n" <Ron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7E3D44A8-18D7-423B-BE57-7DC084B64CCB@microsoft.com...
I placed a link on my desktop from the web, now when not on the internet, it
appears as a white box with a red x in it. I cannot remove it or select it.
When on the internet, the actual picture ( a circuit diagram) appears, I
assume from the link.

Also, my icon wording has colored boxes around them which I cannot remove
either. I tried making the selection "translucent" in the performance-visual
options, but no go.

Also, when I start windows, I now get a message that the security settings
do not allow active x to run, so my desktop properties may not display
properly.

Can anyone help me straighten out whatever I did?

System restore did not repair.

Thanks, it worked. As many times as I've been at the display customisation,
I never noticed the WEB tab.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> 1. Open Control Panel, double-click Display.
> 2. Click the Desktop tab, and choose "Customize Desktop".
> 3. Select the "Web" tab
> 4. Delete all the items except "My current Home page"
> 5. Uncheck "My current Home page"
> 6. Click OK, and now select your Desktop background
> 7. Click OK and close the dialog.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
>
>
> "R o n" <Ron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7E3D44A8-18D7-423B-BE57-7DC084B64CCB@microsoft.com...
> I placed a link on my desktop from the web, now when not on the internet, it
> appears as a white box with a red x in it. I cannot remove it or select it.
> When on the internet, the actual picture ( a circuit diagram) appears, I
> assume from the link.
>
> Also, my icon wording has colored boxes around them which I cannot remove
> either. I tried making the selection "translucent" in the performance-visual
> options, but no go.
>
> Also, when I start windows, I now get a message that the security settings
> do not allow active x to run, so my desktop properties may not display
> properly.
>
> Can anyone help me straighten out whatever I did?
>
> System restore did not repair.
>

You're welcome!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


"R o n" <Ron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:42C5675B-4520-4F6C-88CF-F2A37AAB8209@microsoft.com...
Thanks, it worked. As many times as I've been at the display customisation,
I never noticed the WEB tab.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> 1. Open Control Panel, double-click Display.
> 2. Click the Desktop tab, and choose "Customize Desktop".
> 3. Select the "Web" tab
> 4. Delete all the items except "My current Home page"
> 5. Uncheck "My current Home page"
> 6. Click OK, and now select your Desktop background
> 7. Click OK and close the dialog.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
>
>
> "R o n" <Ron@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7E3D44A8-18D7-423B-BE57-7DC084B64CCB@microsoft.com...
> I placed a link on my desktop from the web, now when not on the internet, it
> appears as a white box with a red x in it. I cannot remove it or select it.
> When on the internet, the actual picture ( a circuit diagram) appears, I
> assume from the link.
>
> Also, my icon wording has colored boxes around them which I cannot remove
> either. I tried making the selection "translucent" in the performance-visual
> options, but no go.
>
> Also, when I start windows, I now get a message that the security settings
> do not allow active x to run, so my desktop properties may not display
> properly.
>
> Can anyone help me straighten out whatever I did?
>
> System restore did not repair.
>

I had trouble changing desktop icons,with XP..I went into Google,and found that over 170,000 others are having the same problem..Most have tried right clicking the icon,clicking Properties,then Change Icon,highlighting icon,and clicking OK,OK,but that doesn't work..After much searching,I eventually found a great way to change the generic icons..Only thing is,that you change them all at once,but the new icons are all different,and quite visually appealing..Once they have been changed,using this method,the right click method will then work,if you don,t like the new icons,you can then change them individually,using the old method of right clicking,Properties etc..

Try this method..Right click desktop...Click Properties...Click Appearance tab...Click Advanced tab...Click drop down menu,and click 'ICON'...then click on a size,with up/down arrows eg,31...Then click OK,OK.

The icons will change,and are quite appealing,and if you don't like any particular icon,then change it,using the old method,which now works,for some reason...If you have any luck,please email me,and let me know...Regards..Neville (niftynev48@aapt.net.au)

I have had the same problem for a couple of days now and Unlocker fixed it completely...thanks for the tips...Penny

do you never put your question in the box

"unknown" wrote:

>

If you are using a website to reply then we have no idea what you are
talking about because you did not reply to the original thread or quote it.
A lot of us use actual newsgroup readers such as the free thing that comes
in Microsoft Outlook Express.

"ozzy_gl" <ozzy_gl.3n9ovd@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message
news:ozzy_gl.3n9ovd@DoNotSpam.com...
>
> I have had the same problem for a couple of days now and Unlocker fixed
> it completely...thanks for the tips...Penny
>
>
> --
> ozzy_gl
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