Desktop icons move after restart in XP?!?

[oghowie]

For some reason everytime I restart my T43, the desktop icons that were previously arranged are moved and there is always an empty spot where an icon was previously. Is there a reason that XP or another program might be moving the icons after time I shut down?

Moderator edit: Moved from T4x conference

[rkawakami]

Have you checked to see if you have "auto arrange" enabled for your desktop? Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop, click on the "Arrange Icons by..." line and see if there is a check mark next to "Auto Arrange". If so, click on that line to turn it off. Also, while you are there, note if the "Align to Grid" setting is enable as well.

That said, if auto arrange (and/or align to grid) has been turned on, it should only re-arrange your desktop once unless you move some of the icons around during your login session.

[dr_st]

I don't know why it happens, but this nifty tool can be used to solve any quirks with icon rearrangements. I use it on all my computers. What I especially like about it, is that it saves separate layouts per resolution:

Desktop Icon Save and Restore

[GomJabbar]

One cause for this behavior is if your system changes resolutions for any reason. Some systems are plagued by brief resolution changes that play havoc on the icon arrangement. Rather than troubleshoot that, it may be easier to use a program such as dr_st mentioned.

Here is a page that briefly describes the above program (dr_st just gave the download link): http://www.midiox.com/jsoft.htm

[oghowie]

Auto arrange was not checked, so I don't think that was the problem.

The Desktop Icon Save and Restore works great. Thanks!