Lost Taskbar Icons (W98)

[Siri]

Hi, I've just joined this forum so if this query has already been posted then I apologise in advance.
I am running Windows 98SE. Computer is just over a year old.
Short while ago I apparantly deleted something important as the icons I had on my Quick Launch Taskbar disappeared. I still seem to have that taskbar as when I right click it the properties show Quick Launch and it is ticked.
Have replaced the icons onto desktop in the meantime but when I try dragging them down to taskbar I get message that "this folder already contains read-only file named "Quick Launch" would you like to replace the existing file with this one" If I click "Yes" the icon vanishes. Checked out Recycle Bin but there was nothing there. If anyone has any suggestions, would appreciate it.

[wing0]

Try to look into this directory

C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

All the icons from your quick launch toolbar is in there. If they're missing, u can just copy the shortcut from your desktop to the folder and it should appear when u enable the quick launch taskbar.

[Siri]

Thanks for the reply.
Found the file but when I click on it I get box with "choose what program you want to open this with" and nothing seems to open it.

How do I copy from desktop to file.

[wing0]

ok, first, try to right click on the files that are in the folder and go to properties. See if the target is something like this

"C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe"

In this case, when you click on the icon, it will open winamp.
The target should be a executable program ie. files that ends with .exe

If u want to copy files from desktop to that folder
Select the file(s) and right click, a menu will come out. Choose "Copy", now go to the quick launch folder and right click there again, the same menu should come up again. Now choose "Paste", this will copy the selected files to the folder.

Also, when u select the files, look at the icon, if there's an arrow in a little box on the bottom left corner, that means it's a shortcut, which is similar to the files in your quick launch folder. If the files that u selected does not have that arrow, i don't think u can copy them to the folder then.

One last point, you can actually make your own files in the quick launch taskbar. This is done by going into the folder, right click. Select New, Shortcut. Click on the button browse, and just say you want to create a shortcut for winamp. Then u must find the winamp.exe or the executable file that will start the program. After you have selected click next. Now u can change the name that will be shown, usually i take off the .exe and click finish. Now there should be a shortcut for starting the program, winamp.exe in the quick launch folder. The icon should also show on the taskbar, if not, right click on the quick launch taskbar and select refresh.

Hope this help.

[Siri]

Thanks for all that information.
I seem to have a real problem. Nothing appears to be in Quick Launch folder When I click on Properties I just get a box with some info but not much
"C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe" doesn't appear to exist when using Start, Find Files Says not found. If I have corrupted this somehow any suggestions of how to restore it if possible.
Really appreciate the trouble you've gone to so far.
Will understand if you think you've done enough and don't want to reply anymore

[wing0]

No problem. Ok, first i need to know if there's any files in the quick launch folder. If there aren't, you would have to create them with what i said in my previous post. Maybe you have deleted all the shortcuts in the folder.

That winamp is just an example of what you expect if you look at the target area. This assumes that you have a winamp shortcut in the folder (like i do), since you don't have it. You won't get that line. Also, when u want to check the target, you must select the file, then properties in order to check for the target.

Just to start off things.

If u want to create a quick launch for your Internet Explorer. Right click in the quick launch folder, and select New -> Shortcut. Click on browse and go to

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\

In there, you should find the file called "Iexplore.exe". That is the file to start your Internet Explorer. It should have the same icon as your desktop internet explorer icon. Select that file and click next. Now take off the .exe and press finish. This should create an icon for Internet Explorer in your quick launch toolbar.

[Siri]

Thank you, Thank you and Thank You again. All fixed. Can't believe how patient you have been, and how easy your instructions were to follow. Who knows I might get as efficient and be able to help someone in return.
Pity it took me so long to find this website.
Anyway from one very grateful New Zealander, I wish you a good weekend

[wing0]

No problem, it's my pleasure that i can help you fix your problem.