Win8 Control Panel Empty-My Docs-Library problem

[CPWin8]

Yes, at least we each know we're not alone in the problem. But with my frequent searching, and posts on three forums, I know of three occurences: myself, Libraemy, and Hamrag8--all on this forum.


I got this response at another site:"I would suggest restoring the computer to factory settings. Do a full shut down by holding "shift" and clicking "shut down" at the same time. When restarting, hold the "0" key, which should restore your computer using the restore partician.

I had a similar issue with an Asus windows 7 machine a few years ago, but the icons never came back. The fact that yours came back is surprising. The issue that I ran into was caused by a virus, and it was unable to be detected by any anti-virus software. The icons were actually deleted, so the easiest way to fix it was to restore."

I don't really know how this person then determined in was a virus. He may even be incorrect. It might not even be the same exact issue.

You'd think one could find the situation in a search if it has been occurring over some time.

 

[libraemy]

I'm sure it's not a virus : it is my 6th fresh installation of Windows and the problem occured again!!!

 

[CPWin8]

Hmm. Drive problems? I haven't found or noticed any unusual drive activity.

I got this reply at another site. Does someone want to look it over/explain?
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Before you do a reset (which will no doubt fix things), try deleting this file and rebooting.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db

You need to remove the desktop (explorer.exe) in order to delete the file. You can do it this way at an Administrator Command Prompt (WinidowsKey + X). Be careful to get the spaces correct.

taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
attrib -h IconCache.db
del IconCache.db
start explorer

 

[CPWin8]

Just noticed a reply from the other member, Hamrag8 (1 of 3 of us here posting about this problem), as I posted on his thread regarding what happened. He responded: http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/21721-my-computer-control-panel-blank-after-time.html

"After trying many suggestions without success, I finally reinstalled my backup copy.
It was only 3 months old so was not much of a problem to bring it up to date.
All the best."--Forum member "Hamrag8"
----
I guess that worked for him.

 

[XweAponX]

Try Disabling the startup items one at a time until it stops. If you unload one module, and it has no effect, remember to turn it back on. Those Toshiba apps may be the culprit. But just to make sure go through all of them and see which one stops it.

Since it is intermittent, I'm guessing that when the app goes live it affects the view, so check on services that have a delayed start.

 

[XweAponX]

You can also try Windows 8 Manager by Yamicsoft - It has a 15 day trial. There is a setting in "Repair" that rebuilds the iCon cache, and you may want to increase the size of it. Also, there is a utility in there that fixes icons for special folders.



See if one of these or both fix it for you. The Icon Cache may be getting filled up thus now showing the icons.

 

[CPWin8]

Ok. I will see how much I can subject myself to before a reset to see what that does. Thanks again.

 

[CPWin8]

I've taken the time to go through more posts elsewhere. Forgive me as my brain is like oatmeal trying to decipher what is a clearly different problem even though, say the control panel is also empty. Also, some people claim a solution, but not always how they arrived at it. Again, everything as a grain of salt until... Also, explanations are not always detailed to make absolute comparisons.

What seems to be constant is users do not find errors using sfc or the like or find viruses. Of course, this doesn't necessarily make it a fact.

So, some sites (not of 8, but 7) with very similar issues (if not the same--not always detailed enough in description):
My Computer empty and stuck searching,Control panel also empty, --no resolution in this thread.

[WIN7] Control Panel is empty - Microsoft Help | DSLReports Forums (Page 2) --a resolution that is not clear. The problem is only somewhat similar in the description.

No icons in control panel (No errors but totally empty) --no specific resolution

No icons in control panel (No errors but totally empty) --no resolution. Details lacking.

My Control Panel is empty? (x64) --no resolution. Details may differ.

Control Panel Empty, My Computer in Explorer shows nothing - Windows 7 Help Forums --no resolution.

Solved Windows Explorer - Control Panel and Computer windows empty on opening - Windows 7 Help Forums -- Resolution but I question it. Could it be this simple? It doesn't fit with some attempted fixes others have employed and having no luck. Again, this is Win7. Doesn't explain how the poster arrived at the "solution" if accurate. This may be specific to that individual. He claims it was fixed after creating a new user account, and then that the actual problem was a corrupt (in his case) desktop icon, which after deleting icons, everything was ok. That is in the final post.

 

[CPWin8]

Try Disabling the startup items one at a time until it stops. If you unload one module, and it has no effect, remember to turn it back on. Those Toshiba apps may be the culprit. But just to make sure go through all of them and see which one stops it.

Since it is intermittent, I'm guessing that when the app goes live it affects the view, so check on services that have a delayed start.

Anything is possible, but others with the problem are not using Toshiba systems.

 

[libraemy]

OK CPWin8, I think I solved my problem : at least, the bug didn't appear in the last hours, but I need to go further in order to be absolutely positive.

In my case, the problem seems to appear after the installation of Acronis True Image 2013 which I use when I do fresh installations of Windows. Since I removed it, the system seems to work very fine... I'll confirm you later in the day, but is there any chance you're using also this software?

 

[XweAponX]

It may have been part of his Toshiba package.

 

[XweAponX]

Ok, read his solution:

Actual solution

---

Turns out, the problem was related to a corrupt desktop icon. After deletion of all desktop icons, the problem was solved.

- Which brings me back to Yamicsoft Windows 8 Manager - You can download it from their website, install it and run the trial.

Get into the Icon Repair tools I posted, run them, and let me know if it fixes it for you.

 

[CPWin8]

I've never heard of Acronis True Image 2013. I hope you get yours resolved Libraemy.
Ok. I might try it later--when later is I don't know (icon "fix"). I've been busy since my last post on other things. Thanks XweAponX. Thanks Libremy. I'm not planning to do a reset yet, partially because don't know what is going on the holiday long weekend.

Remember, as with some others, my problem is intermittent. It may not occur if the computer is on a short bit just looking online or whatever. I, like another, don't know how to force the error. This was explained in my other posts.

Thanks guys.

 

[XweAponX]

The Intermittent aspect of your problem is what has me boggled, and now that I know you have a toshiba I'll bet it is one of the programs that came with the computer, the Toshiba Programs. Try the Fix in the Windows Manager program, I'm sure you can do the same fixes other ways, but Yamicsoft Windows Manager has them all on one easily found place, it's a good program, I use it a lot. And I'll bet if you increase your Icon Cache, this problem may stop.

 

[Brooklyn567]

CPWIN8

Im trying to duplicate your problem with no success, I may need to reboot for it to take effect..

This is what ive found as far as a similar issue, please check to see if this exists in your setup, meanwhile I am continuing to try to get my control panel to not show icons.

My control panel is blank [Solved]

 

[CPWin8]

Thanks, Brooklyn567. I don't know that anyone wants to duplicate it! On the other note, I've already tried things related to that web page. There's been lots of searching and nothing "WOW, that's it!" has popped up. There is one solution (may or may not be) on page 3 in a list I made of links. I will work on that when I get a chance (regarding icons). Again, the intermittent nature makes me have to wait for it to appear. I can't force it (don't know how). This complicates applying the possible "solutions" if one wants to know the eureka moment precisely, if I ever get there. Sometimes it takes a while to appear. Very confusing.

I don't doubt your knowledge but I know for sure that those same Toshiba items having been running from day one.

I'll do my best to figure it out but after this next weekend, I will probably result to the "nuclear option" to see if that helps. I've also said that from the beginning as to not lead anyone on into working too much on this for me. I do appreciate the help and will try to address the options already noted. It was one thing when scanning--you get an error/threat or not--in my case not. Other options have to be tried and then I have to wait an indeterminate amount of time to see if it helped.

Thanks.

 

[CPWin8]

Downloaded the Yamicsoft Windows 8 Manager. Can't get to that right now. Just thought I'd add another oddity. Another person (don't remember where I read it now and don't have time to look) said in a forum that when his windows (My Docs, My computer, Control Panel etc...) had icon problems, and he opened a second "File Explorer," the second showed icons correctly. Somehow I just remembered that--I've been reading a lot on this and my problem is intermittent. I just thought of it before when it happened. So, my windows (My Docs, etc.,Control Panel) were missing the icons as told before (see pics in post 1). I opened File Explorer and it was not showing the proper icons (as other times)--posted a pic below to make my point again. Then, like this other person, I opened another File Explorer (I right-clicked the File Explorer on the task bar, clicked "File Explorer" to open another one.), and like that person, the second one appears correctly (both are now on screen--one good (icons correct), one bad (just empty sheet with corner folded down--see pic)). I then close the one bad File Explorer. I open other windows (Computer, Docs) and Control Panel, and the icons are back to normal! So, this is the case with both me and this other person. Crazy. This is not a solution, just another odd effect. It has shown it can return.

--File Explorer: Incorrect and Correct pics

 

[libraemy]

Another person (don't remember where I read it now and don't have time to look) said in a forum that when his windows (My Docs, My computer, Control Panel etc...) had icon problems, and he opened a second "File Explorer," the second showed icons correctly.

This was me (look page 2).

Indeed, the problem is intermitent, that's why I didn't want to confirm too early that it was solved. But after one day of intense use, I can be almost positive: the Acronis application was making this problem on my laptop. Somehow, even if you don't use this software, it must have create the same bug that you encounter. Unfortunately, I have no idea of which changes this software is doing exactly...

One thing is sure, I had the exact same problem and this change solved it!

 

[CPWin8]

Another person (don't remember where I read it now and don't have time to look) said in a forum that when his windows (My Docs, My computer, Control Panel etc...) had icon problems, and he opened a second "File Explorer," the second showed icons correctly.

This was me (look page 2).

Haha! Thanks, Libraemy. I've been reading so much. Proof my brains are now scrambled! I'm not only searching the internet in general, but have posts on multiple forums, the others "official" to the products. Obviously, no "solution" elsewhere, only a response to asking about the icon cache noted here in an earlier post. That person, as previously noted, thinks it could be related to the icon cache. That is why I posted previously where there are command prompt lines related to that.

You also noted, "Actually I read on a french forum a guy who had the same problem and apparently solved this issue by removing a corrupted file on his drive (The explorer might crash when it creates its thumbnail or something like that)."
I hope I'm on the right track.

I was "lucky" you came along because of your details and pictures.

Well, just checking in. I hope to figure something before I do the PC "Reset."

Thanks again.
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Eventually, I'll get to the Windows 8 Manager.

Let's remember, whatever it is, it survived the PC "refresh." (noted in post 1)

 

[CPWin8]

Ok. I've used Windows 8 Manager to: Restore icons of a special folder, rebuild the icon cache, increase the icon cache size a bit, and fix icon thumbnails (no pic below). Note: I did all of them at once because the problem is intermittent and each time I'd have to wait a completely unknown length of time for the problem to occur. One at a time might have been best for analysis, but it is unrealistic today.

Now we'll see what happens. I hope doing this didn't hurt anything. I don't know when I'll have an answer.

Pics below: