unmovable icon on xp desktop :(

bit annoying this one more than anything
I installed XP and installed the dial up program for 'hometime'(a bt/freeserve server package) only to find that it wasnt compatible with XP as yet and settled for another package instead. The problem is i cant remove the desktop icon for hometime , i've looked everywhere for it and cant seem to find it anywhere. When I right click the icon it gives me 4 optionspen ,settings,re-name and create shortcut and none of them do anything or even lead to more options(i.e there are no attributes )Could anyone suggest any directories in DOS it would be in so that i can remove it. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I'm not running WinXP, but in Win98 you might open the registry editor, and drill down to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

Each icon has its own CLSID key (a 16-byte value, that identifies individual objects) and which points to a corresponding key in HKCR\CLSID.

First, export the regkey (File/export) in order to have a backup handy.

Now, one at a time, click each of the keys under NameSpace, watching the name that appears in the right pane's Data column. One of them should match the icon you want to get rid of. When you find it, right-mouse click its key in the left pane, choose Delete, and close the Registry Editor.
Click on the desktop once to place the focus there, then hit F5 on your keyboard (to refresh). The icon will disappear.

Fire up Regedt32, and take a look there. Chances are you'll find your icon at that same registry key.

Good luck,

 

What can I say Tony , thanks very much for an incredibly speedy response ,and needless to say you were spot on. Thanks for taking the time to make it so simple too , much appreciated and very grateful The nasty icon has gone for good.
What a service on a great forum

 

Glad it worked!