Hi...

I'm using Office 2000 -- Word and Excel only. Windows XP Home SP2. All XP
and Office updates applied.

For some reason, all the icons for Word and Excel changed today from the
Office icons to the "standard DOS-style icon" -- little white rectangle with
blue bar at the top. When I right click one of these icons and select
Properties, the "Change Icon" button is grayed out.

Not only did all the Word and Excel icons disappear (change to the DOS-style
icon), but the Start>All Programs icons for "New Office Document," and "Open
Office Document" changed to that standard DOS-style icon. Also, Start>All
Programs>Microsoft Office Tools -- all icons are gone, replaced by the
generic icon.

I am also using FrontPage 2003, and the same thing happened with that icon.

I am able to restore the icon by finding the .EXE file for each program and
right-dragging it to the desktop (or Start Menu folder) and selecting create
shortcut here.

Can someone tell me what's going on here? This is very strange behavior and
only just happened.

Thank you.

John

Follow-up to initial post.....

When I try to run Office Update (from the Windows Update site), Office
Update is unable to run. I get an error page -- see below.

Something has become corrupted, but I have no idea what, or how to fix it.
I have not deleted any .MSP files; I have admin. privileges; my network is
working correctly. Windows Update seems to install "Installer" updates, but
I have done nothing other than installed recommended Windows Updates.

John

---------------ERROR MESSAGE--------------

Office Update is unable to check for updates Help

The Office Update site is unable to check for updates on this
computer. This may be happening because of one of the following reasons:

a.. You do not have administrative privileges for this computer.
b.. There is a network problem and the detection catalog used by the
Office Update site failed to download. Go back to the Downloads home page
and try running detection again.
c.. Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously
applied Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden
directory on your computer. MSP files are stored on your computer after
update installation completes because they need to be referenced for future
update operations. If the files are missing you will not be able to apply
Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall Office products as a
result of the same problem. Please contact Microsoft Product Support
Services for assistance.
d.. You installed Office updates in the past and then upgraded from
Windows Installer version 1.0 to Windows Installer version 1.1. For more
information see the KB article Windows Installer May Prompt for Install
Source if Unavailable.

Another follow-up.....

Now, other desktop icons are disappearing, being replaced with the generic
DOS-style icon.

Help!

John

This would concern me enough to start backing up my important files. I don't
know what's causing it but it doesn't sound good.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:OcoT05jaFHA.612@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

JoAnn,

I had the same thought. I have backups of all data.

I just ran a complete AVG scan of all files and it found nothing.

The Office Update error page had a link to send an e-mail to MS for help.
I've done that and will report back here when I get a response. I think
this has something to do with installer files because when I check
properties of a non-MS app with a changed icon and click Change Icon, I get
an error about an installer file missing.

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d-adnfQDgMryKD7fRVn-pg@suscom.com...

Further follow-up...

Today, all icons are restored, but Office Update still won't work.

Very odd.

John




"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:uxIM1ekaFHA.3528@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

Did you already back up what you need. Like JoAnn said "it does not sound good"
--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message news:e30glzpaFHA.720@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

Have you run a Scandisk yet?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:uxIM1ekaFHA.3528@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

John -

I was talking to my husband about this. He said it happens to him at work
often. He said just reboot and everything will be fine. He said it's always
the same icons that go first too. Something about something stepping on the
part of the RAM where this info is stored.

I've learned that he's usually right. And yes, I've told him that I say
that. :-)

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:O0bi4TjaFHA.2308@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...

JoAnn,

For whatever reason, all my icons are back. Your husband was right.

Yes, everything is backed up.

The plot thickens, however.

When I open System Properties and click on the System Restore tab, it
freezes and I get an error message about rundll32.exe not running and
DrWatson PostMortem Debugger not running. I send both error reports to MS.

I got a message back from MS support in response to my "call for help." The
suggestion was as follows:

As a Customer Service Representative, I can assist you with the support
options available with your Microsoft product. However, I have taken the
time to look through our self help website and found that the rundll32.exe
file is located in the c:\windows\System32 folder. RunDLL32 is used to run
DLL
s as programs. The following steps may resolve your issue:

1. Search for the file in c:\windows\servicepackfile\i386 folder.
2. Copy to c:\windows\system32 folder.
3. Restart your computer.

I followed these instructions, but the problem persists -- clicking the
System Restore tab still causes a "crash" -- the rundll32.exe error message.

I am really baffled by this whole thing.

Since last posting here, I remembered one key thing -- no doubt important.
A week ago, I got a new HDD and used the Western Digital utility to transfer
my C: drive to the new HD. I've done this in the past with no problem. I
am thinking my current problem may be related.

I have run ScanDisk and the Western Digital error checking utility and no
problems are reported.

JoAnn... perhaps your husband will have some ideas. All idea are welcome.

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g-Gdnb7-bZ0clDjfRVn-gg@suscom.com...

JoAnn and others who might be interested,

I spoke on the phone this afternoon with a MS Support person who specializes
in XP. After fully explaining my problem, and telling the guy that I'd
recently replaced my HDD with a new drive, we concluded that problem is
related to unsuccessfully mirroring the old drive onto the new drive.
Apparently, the MBR does not get copied bit for bit, and XP has a problem
with that and the Registry on the new drive. Furthermore, some hidden XP
files don't get copied correctly, or don't get copied at all, leading to
further problems.

The MS tech was able to walk me through restoring System Restore, but he
explained that other apps may still not work and that "only time will tell."

My next step is a clean install! Ugh. You live and learn. At least no
data has been lost.

John



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:ulFUFO5aFHA.2180@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

I know a clean install can be a pain in the arse but I've never heard anyone
say they had a problem after a fresh start that would have been avoided if
they'd (fill in the blank).

I'm sorry you're having these problems and I'll keep my fingers crossed that
goes well.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:ODdgoG8aFHA.3280@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

The plot thickens...

I thought to look on the Western Digital support site and found a KB article
that addressed the exact System Restore problem I encountered:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc....i=&p_topview=1

That's KB #1231 on wdc.com in case the link doesn't work.

The WDC solution to restore System Restore is the same as what MS walked me
through. This does not, however, address the problem of my changing icons
(which is happening again for Roxio programs only), or my inability to use
Office Update. I have posted a question for Western Digital support and
will see what they say. In the meantime, I may reinstall the Roxio program
and Office (Word and Excel).

For now, I'm holding off on a clean install, though that may be the final
outcome.

Ya gotta love these machines!

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0aGdnbAR6vQs3zvfRVn-tw@suscom.com...

Make this your mantra - "I love computers." Repeat it 50 or 60 times a day.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:ufs%23Bp8aFHA.2980@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

I tried to uninstall or repair MS Office. Can't do. I get an error saying
installer files are missing. Back to square one = clean install. Ugh.

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lvudnefIVpgN0DvfRVn-2w@suscom.com...

Well, you did say you had everything backed up. That's a very good thing. (I
know it's tough to be positive right now but you have backups and that's
more than a lot of people have when they need to start from square one. All
you've lost is a little time.)

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:OH7OeB9aFHA.228@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

JoAnn,

You are right. It's just about time, but the last time I did this, it took
a good solid day to get back to square one, so it's not insignificant.

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Lpadndt1MqyLyzvfRVn-2w@suscom.com...

I worked for a company that supposed backed up the network drive nightly. I
had been having some minor computer issues and had copied my files over to
my part of the network for several days. (I was doing CAD work at the time,
printed circuit board design specifically.) I tidied up my system and moved
files back to my hard drive. It was Friday the 13th a little after 1 p.m.
(about 13:13 military time) and everything went SEE YA! Gone - as in
everything was wiped out. No OS, nothing.

Our IT guy said it wasn't a virus but there was too much timing coincidence
for me ever to believe him. I thought I was safe - files had been on the
network over night and everything was backed up, right? Wrong. The main part
of the network was backed up. Our personal share of it was backed up *if*
there was space. Apparently because the guys had used the network space for
games, there was nothing left over. (This was before we were hooked into the
Internet and before MP3's, etc.)

I lost months worth of work. I was able to salvage some but most was gone
for good. You're only out a day at the most - and have lost no work. You're
fortunate. Really.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:Om$IgM9aFHA.3032@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

Your point is well taken. I am not complaining. In addition, of course, my
system will run very smoothly (at first anyway) with a fresh install.

John



"JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]" <jl_amerson@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:kfmdnWa7isbqwDvfRVn-uw@suscom.com...

You gotta love the first week or so. Everything is nice and tidy. Almost
like having maid service at home. :-)

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"John Blaustein" <no@spam.com> wrote in message
news:eBv3YA%23aFHA.3384@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...