Theme icons reset to defaults

[Tim A]

Hey folks,

I have a multi-user XP pro SP1 install with uxtheme.dll.

All 3 users have different themes loaded. On one user, and only this one, the theme icons ( My Computer, My Documents, Control Panel, Recycle Bin, etc ) keep resetting back to the windows defaults after logging in. This can be a re-login following a switch user, a fresh login after a restart, no difference.

Re-applying the theme will work only for that instance, and again, any other login attempts will reset them.

The only thing that was done different for this user account and the others on my system was that I installed Palm Desktop software for her PDA ( installed by launching the installer from her user account with a runas Administrator ). I tried checking the registry entries for the Palm Desktop, but saw nothing relating to system or shell icons.

I have tried setting her theme back to the XP default and running the tweak UI repair icons, then reapplying the theme, and no go. I even tried deleting the iconcache, and still nothing. I even applied a different theme, thinking her's may be corrupt, but the same thing happended with the new theme.

The other user accounts have no issues.

Can anyone point me to somewhere in the registry where I can look to see what may be forcing them to defaults? I'm at a loss now as to what to look for.

Thanks for any help

Tim

[MeDieViL]

do you have a NVIDEA video card?

if so, there is a service called NVDEA blabla dunno full name, but there is only 1 service like that

disable it, then rebuild the icon catch, then reboot, the icons should stay

[Tim A]

MeDieViL,

As a matter of fact I do! I have a TI 4400 based card running NVIDIA drivers. I will certainly give that a shot. But, wouldn't you think that would affect all users, and not just the one?

I'll try it and report back.

Thanks

Tim

[MeDieViL]

it affects all users, as its a winXP service

but, you wont lose anything

the name is

NVIDIA Display Driver Service

disable it, its just a helper or something, and doesnt need to be there

[Tim A]

Haha

No, I realize disabling the service would affect all users. What I meant was if the NVIDIA helper service is what is causing the problem, wouldn't the symptoms affect all users, and not just the one..

But, regardless, it sounds like it is unneeded, so I'll disable it and see if it helps her out with her icons.

I'll let you know.

Thanks again for the help!

Tim

[Tim A]

I just wanted to post a quick update - disabling that service did the trick!

I disabled it last night, and tested it out by running through a lot of restarts and switching users back and forth, and the themed icons remained in all cases.

Thanks again for the help!

Tim