Persistent AIM Desktop Icon...

[verTigoelecTric]

Ok I'm really losin' it here...


Before I tell you the problem I am having, let me briefly describe my 'desktop' setup.

I'm running Windows XP Pro / AIM 5.2.3292 / AIMutation 1.2.4

I have 'Show Desktop Icons' disabled. I have a number of toolbars on my desktop top and side that are have 'autohide' activated. One of the toolbars contains the contents of my desktop. I have another toolbar for internet applications, such as IM programs, like AIM. As you may know, toolbars are simply references to folders somewhere on the hard drive. In my case, the 'internet apps' toolbar is a reference to a folder located on the desktop. I have created shortcuts to MSN, Y!, AIM, and others and have placed them in this 'internet apps' folder.

Being set up this way, I can have a clean desktop and still easily access all of my favorite things... (yeah I know, who cares...)
I simply mentioned these details in case there is a chance any of it is relevant to the problem I am having...


OK so here's the problem:

Anyways, the AIM shortcut, which I would like to have in the 'internet apps' folder, keeps moving itself to the desktop. I don't know what exactly triggers this action, though I have actually 'seen' it happen before. It will be in the 'internet apps' folder/toolbar, and suddenly it will disappear and reappear on the 'desktop toolbar'. It's quite annoying.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to why it would continue to move itself, and furthermore, how I can 'pin' it to where I want it to stay...

Please help.

[f0rbez]

I'm on 5.5.3999 and can move the icon without it recreating or moving itself. Weird problem. You could try marking the link read-only and system. That might prevent it from being moved.

[verTigoelecTric]

Hmm... I'll try that. Somehow I doubt it will work. Doesn't seem 'rock-hard' enough to keep the stupid icon from moving... but thanks for the advice.

If it doesn't work I'll be sure to keep bugging this forum about it, lol.

[verTigoelecTric]

No workie...

The stupid little yellow buddy still jumped to my desktop.

Why in the world is this happening? It's irritating!

[Someguy03]

Right click on the shortcut > go to properties >> click the general tab >>> and check the box next to "Hidden."

If you have your computer set to hide hidden files and folders The shortcut will be hidden from your desktop. If your computer is set to show hidden files and folders do this:

(Windows Explorer > View >> Folder Options >>> View >>>> And it should say "Hide hidden files and folders" or "show hidden files and folders)

[f0rbez]

I think he wants it in the other folder so he can have it on his menu. But you could just create another icon for that too.

[verTigoelecTric]

Thanks for the tip, but unfortunately that doesn't help me either.

First off, I like to have 'hidden files and folders' visible.
Second, the problem isn't so much the icon 'showing' on the desktop. It's the problem if it moving itself there constantly. I need as few things on the desktop as possible, because rather than having the desktop icons appear on the desktop, I have them set as a toolbar at the top of my screen. If I have too much stuff on my desktop, the icons won't fit on the toolbar.

That's why I can't just create a 2nd shortcut to solve this issue...

...besides... I think I've even tried that before just out of curiosity, and if I remember correctly, it still moved. I'll try it again though. Just to see what happens.

Surely there must be an explanation for this... Could it be viral activity on my machine? I have scanned with an updated version of McAfee AV (I used to use Norton, but it didn't catch a lot of the virii I had, so I switched...) but to no avail.

Any more suggestions? Please, any advice is appreciated. You can imagine my frustration...

[f0rbez]

The only thing I can think of is maybe your version of aim forces an icon on the desktop. That wouldn't really explain why the icon is being moved though. AIM would just recreate an icon rather than search your hard drive for it. The other thing that might be a possibility is maybe some kind of AOD variant (AOL on Desktop). If you had that, it would be installed to C:\Program Files\AOD. Theres a program over at xeons.net called AOL Icon Remover. It removes AOD and all the links it creates all over your hard drive.

[Someguy03]

Are you using an AIM addon? And would you mind explaining this whole toolbar thing at the top of your screen? It sounds interesting.

Also, you might consider making a whole new shortcut yourself for AIM.

[verTigoelecTric]

f0rbez:
Yes, I do have that AOD folder. I'm now in the process of taking steps to remove it. I am about to try out that program you recommended from XEON.


someguy03:
Hmm... sure, I'd be happy to explain it to you. It's a really great way to have easy access to all of your favorite shortcuts/programs/links etc without cluttering your desktop with icons... I'd rather try to explain it realtime, though, so IM me, please. I will also try to IM you first, right away.