Author Topic: Disappearing icons from desktop (Read 4517 times)

bellbram · « **on:** March 05, 2007, 11:12:29 AM »

I only ever keep aliases on my DT. Just recently, for no discernible reason an alias will just vanish. It's not life threatening, but it's darned annoying.

Anyone got a clue as to why it happens? And, even better, how to stop it happening?

This with OS10.4.8, by the way.

krissel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2007, 11:42:45 AM »

Could it be SOCA?

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/...?articleID=7608

Seriously, what kind of aliases...to programs or files?

jcarter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2007, 12:31:04 PM »

What happened to Scotland Yard?

And about icons,,,,,,on my 10.3.9 Mac, sometimes the look of the icon just changes itself.
For example here is one that was a plain folder of pictures of the seaweed piled up on Sanibel island, and last week this icon popped up! It contains the same pictures, just the icon decided to change itself. I think its pretty, so I didnt change it back.
The flower one is OK, I made that one.
But the gold ball,,,,,maybe it was the lunar eclipse?

Jane
[attachment=164:attachment]

bellbram · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2007, 02:35:54 PM »

QUOTE(krissel @ Mar 5 2007, 05:42 PM) [snapback]120964[/snapback]

Could it be SOCA?

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/...?articleID=7608

Seriously, what kind of aliases...to programs or files?

Files

Gregg · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2007, 07:45:14 PM »

Seeing how the file is using an assumed name, it's not surprising that it would disappear....

krissel · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2007, 11:25:21 PM »

Some possibilities:

Do you have a lot of icons that might be relocating off screen? Change resolution (higher) to see if they are actually there.

Repair permissions

Clean out the various cache directories in the system (~/Library/Caches, /Library/Caches, /System/Library/Caches.

Besides deleting the caches, you might try moving aside the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist file.

Try logging out and back in.

And just for grins, try the old relaunch of Finder while holding down the Command and Option keys.

kelly · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:30:07 AM »

Or trash Finder Preferences.

bellbram · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2007, 07:24:09 AM »

Thank you all for your input. If I remain silent on the subject, you'll know something worked

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:27:04 PM »

Ah! But you won't be doing your second part of the "Seeking Help" procedure.
Step 1. Ask the question with as much info as needed to explain it effectively.
Step 2. Report what actions corrected the problem with a "Thanks!" ending the post.

Others may search and find your problem in the Archives, save them some time by ending the thread with the solution that works.

Thanking people is obvious to most of us and I already know you use the term liberally.

bellbram · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2007, 12:53:44 AM »

Jim: I would comply with Step 2 if I knew the answer. The icons vanishing trick was very spasmodic. Everything would be OK for months, then suddenly, bingo, an icon vanished. I'd replace it and all would be well for weeks on end until the next one went.

The only actions I have taken so far are to repair permissions again and delete caches. I will only know if that did the trick if all icons stay with me forever.

I know forever is a long time, but I promise to let you know if they're still on the DT when forever comes.

And of course, I'll be back like a shot if they start vanishing again.

Gregg · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:48:05 AM »

QUOTE(bellbram @ Mar 9 2007, 12:53 AM) [snapback]121368[/snapback]

The icons vanishing trick was very spasmodic.

Do you mean intermittent?

spas·mod·ic –adjective
1. pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms.
2. resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic: spasmodic efforts at reform.
3. given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.

Icons appeared, then vanished, appeared.... etc.

in·ter·mit·tent –adjective
1. stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again: an intermittent pain.
2. alternately functioning and not functioning or alternately functioning properly and improperly.
3. (of streams, lakes, or springs) recurrent; showing water only part of the time.

Icons appeared sometimes, but not others.

It makes a difference, maybe, in tracking down the problem.

kelly · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:28:43 AM »

Not sure that this applies Peter.

Try using your favorite Utility to delete DS Store Files.

bellbram · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:11:58 AM »

gregg: Oh dear! And I've always prided myself on my use of the English language. I should not have said 'spasmodic'. I think the proper description should have been 'occasional', as in.....'the vanishing trick was occasional'. Thanks for putting me right and my face is a trifle

kelly: I would do as you suggest, if I knew where to find the DS Store files

kelly · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2007, 10:46:37 AM »

What Utility do you use Peter? Cocktail?

Gregg · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2007, 12:09:43 PM »

QUOTE(bellbram @ Mar 9 2007, 10:11 AM) [snapback]121398[/snapback]

gregg: Oh dear! And I've always prided myself on my use of the English language. I should not have said 'spasmodic'.

Well, "an intermittent pain" would be.... a spasm. Would it not?

News:

Author Topic: Disappearing icons from desktop (Read 4517 times)