Iconoid FAQ

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Iconoid:

1. I really like Iconoid. Can I pay you something for it?
   Yes. Simply go to the donation page and click on the donation icon. You decide whatever you think is a good price. Please don't think that any donation is too small; even US$10 buys lunch and a couple of candy bars! Little or large, your payment shows that you appreciate the work that goes into creating, maintaining and supporting Iconoid.
2. I press the disable drop shadows button, but icon drop shadows keep returning when I reboot Windows. Is Iconoid broken?
   No, it is not broken. Windows stores the drop shadow setting in a place that iconoid can not change permanently. While drop shadows are enabled, please see the instructions on the 'colors' tab to see how to permanently disable the drop shadows. Iconoid has no control of or effect on the permanent settings of drop shadows.
3. Why does the background still show when I've set Iconoid to make the background transparent? Or... How do I turn off Active Desktop?
   There are several possible reasons:

   • You have active desktop enabled.  When active desktop is enabled, the desktop is controlled by Internet Explorer which overrides several of Iconoid's settings.  To disable active desktop:

     Windows XP:	Right click the desktop Select "Properties" Select the "Desktop" tab Press the\"Customize Desktop" button Select the "Web" tab Uncheck all listed items. Also insure that Right Click > Arrange Icons By > Lock Web Items on Desktop is not checked.
     Windows 2000:	Right click the desktop Select "Active Desktop" Uncheck "Show Web Content".
     Windows 98:	Right click the desktop Select "Active Desktop" Uncheck "View as Web Page".
     Windows ME or Windows 2003:	??? Probably similar to one the above.

   • If you are using Windows XP, insure that 'Show Desktop Icons' is checked.  This can be done by right clicking on the desktop, selecting 'Arrange Icons', and insuring that there is a check mark next to 'Show Desktop Icons'.
   • You may be running other 3rd party software that affects the desktop.
4. Why does Iconoid not save and restore my icon positions correctly?
   This almost always is a result of running other software that has a similar function and which conflicts with Iconoid.  Window managers, virtual desktop software and similar utilities often conflict with Iconoid.  Try running Iconoid alone and see if the problem persists.
5. Does Iconoid work with Vista?
   Yes, 32bit only but see the x64 question.
6. Is there a version of Iconoid for 64-bit windows (x64)?
   One user, Phil, who's last name I never caught, did a port of version 3.8.4 and I have reports that it works OK on the 64 bit Vista. I don't have facilities to test an x64 version, but feel free to try the port. It can be found at http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/. 3.8.4 and 3.8.5 are functionally equivalent so 3.8.4 should not be considered backlevel.
7. Can I save the icon positions to a file and restore them later?
   Yes, Use the Export and Import buttons on the Options tab. Be aware that this saves all Iconoid settings, not just the saved icon positions.
8. The hot-keys conflict with another program. Can I change the hot-keys?
   Yes.  Use the Hot Keys button on the Options tab.

   

9. I use another program called ________.  Will Iconoid work with it?
   I don't know.  Try it and see.  I have not tested any other programs for co-existence with Iconoid.
10. How do I show the icons when I have 'Always Hide' checked?
    Click once on the desktop. If you have the option enabled in the Hiding tab, the icons will be shown and will stay visible until a few seconds after your cursor stops moving on the desktop. The exact number of seconds is configured on the Hiding tab.
    

    You can also assign a hot key using the Hot Keys button on the Options tab.
    

11. I only want the ________ function and don't care about the rest. Can you make a program that only does _______?
    No. There are already a large number of freeware programs available that do most of the individual functions of Iconoid.  Look for other download sites that have Iconoid and you will probably find similar ones.  I no longer keep up with them, so I can't recommend one over another.

    Iconoid uses very little system resource, so unless you are on a very slow system, it should not be noticeable.  Even on a very slow system, you probably won't notice it.

12. Yo!  Nadel!!  Whatta youse, some kind of a nut case?
    Mom? Is that you?