Annoying problem with missing icon and possible corrupt shell32.dll Vista Bugs and Problems Discuss Annoying problem with missing icon and possible corrupt shell32.dll in the Windows Vista forums; I hope someone can help with my Vista issue, its a problem that whilst not devistating to my usage of Vista is very much like Tom Cruise, extremely small and ...

[frozenreads]

I hope someone can help with my Vista issue, its a problem that whilst not devistating to my usage of Vista is very much like Tom Cruise, extremely small and quite annoying. I have led so far a very trouble free exsistance with Vista so far which considering the number of posts, I am extremely lucky but this issue is driving me a little stir crazy as I hate not being able to ressolve it, so I hope there is a guiding light out there somewhere.

Basically, the issue started when I uninstalled my Logitech webcam driver and software and to my surprise not only did the installation software happily remove what I had asked it to, it also seemingy randomly removed my Dial up internet icon from shell32.dll! Where my lovely default vista short cut icon was, was now a horrible white standard, 'unable to find this icon any more' icon! All other icons were fine but visabley shaken by this ordeal. When I right clicked on the icon and bought up alternative icons stashed in shell32.dll, sure enough, my standard dial up icon was gone. Why logitech webcam software would decide to pick on this poor defenceless icon I have no idea but I am certain that the dreaded registry was also to blame in this affair!

I did what any idiot user would do and used system restore and I was delighted to see my icon returned to me on my desktop BUT I notice that when I select choose another icon, the icon listings under shell32.dll still does not display my favourite wee little beast but only the horrible blank, 'I no longer exsist' icon! I now live in fear that if I ever swap icons, I will no longer be able to return to my beloved icon (you have to understand we have formed quite an attachment). It seems that although system restore bought us back together again something is still unwell in the registry.

I am wondering if anyone can help ressolve this very small and meaningless issue for me, either by way of arcane registry arts or something as simple as restoring shell32.dll possibly from the installation disk. I guess ahead that the second option here is probably not an option knowing the way Microsoft loves to avoid simplicity in its solutions, but any help indeed to restore my faithful bond with my icon would be much appreciated! Thank you!

p.s. As an aside, I was removing the logitech software originally as after installing SP1, the webcams microphone was not recognised any more, although the video worked perfectly. I was making a misguided attempt to reinstall the drivers to see if that would ressove the issue (it didnt). I had heard reports that SP1 would not install if logitech wecam software was installed but I had no such problems. I have no idea if this is related to my icon issue. Perhaps the webcam software was feeling vengeful for me installing SP1 and decided to take it out on my shell32.dll or something.....

[Znod]

Would you mind briefly summarizing your problem?

[frozenreads]

icon now missing from shell32.dll after uninstallation of seemingly unrelated programme. how do I restore original set of icons to shell32.dll or restore shell32.dll itself??

[Znod]

You should be able to get a copy of the needed file from someone. Or, you could try a system restore to a point before the installation of the problem program.

[frozenreads]

as per my first post, I did a system restore and the icon is back on the desktop shortcut, and I can readily duplicate the icon from the desktop, but on the 'select another icon' screen it still displays my icon as missing, possibly meaning that if I ever change my default icon I will never be able to select it again, its as if the desktop and the rest of vista can see my troublesom icon, but the change icon display cant, as if the registry is a little suspect. I have no idea if simply resaving a new copy of shell32.dll will fix it or if it needs some work in the registry.

[Znod]

What you say may be true. I duplicated what you said, and the icon is, of course, present and accounted for. The only reasonable suggestion I have, beyond what I said originally, is to let Vista starup in "last known good configuration." You probably would need to reinstall some things depending on the point in time selected by Vista.