Strange problem with .cur (cursors) files
Hi everybody, In this directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9\Graphics\Cursors I have many cursor files. Some of them for unknown reason look like the programs I recently worked with or like pictures I recently worked/viewed. Why do I have such weird behavior? Could it be some Virus? I'm running Windows 7 64 on a Dell laptop. You may see that several pictures are wrong - dsy, wait01 or ew_05 - these are the pictures I used recently. This is how the directory looks like http://www.universalthread.com/Thread%20photos/2010/01474562.gif Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
July 30th, 2010 6:07am

Hi, This issue is not related to Windows 7, but a Microsoft Visual FoxPro issue. For this kind of issues, please discuss in the following forum. Visual FoxPro General Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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August 3rd, 2010 6:18am

I don't think it's related to VFP at all. I haven't checked other directories that have CUR files, but why would CUR files look wrong? To me it sounds like virus, but MS Essentials doesn't find any. I may check other directories later just to see how cur files look in other directories.Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 3rd, 2010 9:44pm

Are the cursors correct if you open them in anywhere, for example, open with MSPaint? Please also check cursors from other programs. If the images are correct when you open them in MSPaint, only the icons in Windows Explorer are corrupt, I suggest you clear the icon cache to troubleshoot. 1. Click Start, and open Computer. 2. On the Tool bar, click Organize and choose Folder and Search Options. 3. Click the View tab, and check to select the Show hidden files and folders option, and click OK. 4. Then, enter the following directory: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local 5. Find the IconCache.db file, and rename it as IconCache.db.old. 6. Close the window, and restart the computer.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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August 4th, 2010 5:30am

It partially helped, some of the cursors cured. But some (and not the same as previous) are wrong still. Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 4th, 2010 6:52am

So the cursor icons themselves are correct, just the displayed icons are incorrect. To resolve the issue please also clear the thumbnail caches and see the result. 1. Open Disk Cleanup. 2. Check the Thumbnails box and click on OK. 3. Click on the Delete Files button. 4. Disk Cleanup will now clear the thumbnail cache and close.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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August 5th, 2010 11:55am

The problem didn't get resolved (but 2+GB space got freed (cleaned the Recycle Bin). In my attempts to resolve the problem I deleted all the content of this directory. So, now I'm asking my friend to send the content of the directory back to me. This is how the new cursors look like http://www.universalthread.com/Thread%20photos/2010/01475285.gif Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 5th, 2010 3:37pm

There are ± 175 mil. W7 running out there and we are the only two users having this issue, mighty unique. On the other hand I guess very few folk will ever open this folder because under normal conditions it has no effect on your daily work. You are correct in all your observations. Since you asked this question I investigated this issue because I'm having identical symptoms, word for word. I'm running W7 Pro 64-bit and my 'Local' folder indicates 164 cursors. I do sometimes change and add new cursors to replace the default cursors of W7. No, not downloaded cursors but self designed cursors. For example the Normal Select, Link Select & Text Select to enhance contrast in guides, with many snaps, that I write for Seniors. My puter is clean from any malware, rootkits, etc, etc. What I've done since your thread started - I've renamed the IconCache.db and rebooted, very little effect. I've done a Disk Cleanup of cache, very little effect. I've added/increased Max Cached Icons from 500 to 4096 in the Registry, no effect. I've also installed various graphic/editing/viewer programs to change the default .cur opening program - vast impact. Then I used a tiny standalone program, 'Rebuild Icon Cache v0.7b', no reboot required as it automatically restarts Explorer. Surprise, all the icons images in the 'Local' folder 100% correct. It also reduced the IconCache.db file from 9,699 to 1,584 KB. It automatically makes a backup. Now for the snag, I reboot even though not required, and the .cur icon images a total mess again. Some .cur files have legitimate W7 OS icons but incorrect icon image. Not other program icons but other cursor images. That I easily check by opening the .cur file in 'AniFX'. I never had this in the past (four months ago) but with all the patches from MS and new programs that I've installed anything is possible. One conclusion I came to is the hefty impact of the selected default .ico/.cur viewer/s. Yes, the magic answer is "Reinstall the operating system" but that is out of the question. Which program is selected for your .cur files at the moment?
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August 8th, 2010 7:57pm

It looks like it opens VS 2010 Developer's Tools presently for me to edit a cursor (I was wondering why does it take so long to open it). Can you give a link to that program you tried, I may try it as well? BTW, the cursors in that directory are pretty trashed for me again. I have Windows 7 64 bit on a Dell laptop. I asked a similar question on another forum and looks like only my computer is misbehaving. I was doing some stuff with graphics recently, although I didn't do anything to the cursors. I don't know if the problem is related or not, since that's the first time I checked that directory. UPDATE. I ran the program and so far the cursors look OK. I'll check after next re-boot and re-run that program if needed. Thanks again. Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 8th, 2010 8:07pm

To sort out your .cur file icons download the standalone program from - http://screeny05.deviantart.com/art/Rebuild-Icon-Cache-v0-7b-164152806 The link is the 3rd button on the right side. It is a 'rar' file, 263 KB. Once you've downloaded and opened it you'll see a single file, Rebuild Icon Cache.exe. Drag & drop it onto your desktop, close the the zip window. Double-click the exe file to run it (no installation required). You'll see three buttons (from left to right), Rebuild Icon Cache, Restore backup and Delete backup. Just hit the 1st button and you'll notice a screen flicker and it will restart Explorer automatically. Open your cursors folder and have a look. If any hiccups let me know.
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August 9th, 2010 1:17am

I've done it couple of hours ago :) The directory is still OK - I didn't do any restarts.Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 9th, 2010 1:21am

A quick check, I downloaded the 99 cursurs you're using, the following have wrong icons on your last placed gif: 4way04.cur 4way05.cur bullseye.cur copy4way.cur cross01.cur cross02.cur cross03.cur cross04.cur down.cur dragcopy.cur draglink.cur dragmove.cur dragpict.cur ew_01.cur ew_05.cur help.cur ho_line.cur ho_sizeb.cur ho_split.cur ibeam_01.cur magnify.cur move4way.cur ne_01.cur ne_07.cur no.cur nodrop01.cur normal01.cur normal03.cur normal05.cur ns_07.cur nw_01.cur nw_08.cur palette.cur pencil.cur select.cur ve_line.cur ve_sizeb.cur ve_split.cur wait01.cur Maybe one of your colleagues, using the same program, can send you a snap of the identical folder to enable you to make a comparison? Will be very interesting.
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August 9th, 2010 2:05pm

Here is how the cursors look now for me http://www.universalthread.com/Thread%20photos/2010/01475726.gif I asked other people to visually compare with their directory. Thanks again.Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 9th, 2010 3:37pm

Now, that is looking great! Have you done a reboot yet? The big question, how did you do that?
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August 9th, 2010 5:41pm

No, no reboot yet. I'm afraid it will be bad again after reboot. I ran the program you recommended and it cured the problem for me for the time being. Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 9th, 2010 6:34pm

Okay, I'm with you. At least it is always possible to WYSIWYG anytime you like. Now I'm holding my breath till your other people respond. BTW, have you resolved your bmp to icon issue yet? I do not want to respond there if you have accomplished what you required.
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August 9th, 2010 7:18pm

Basically, I haven't resolved it in a good way, but after much googling and also using online bmp to icon converter I created a icon I got contended with and moved on to other tasks. I can't say it was a perfect icon, but I spent too much time already on this issue googing for nice bmps, then converting it, that I have to stop at some point.Premature optimization is the root of all evil in programming. (c) by Donald Knuth Naomi Nosonovsky, Sr. Programmer-Analyst My blog
August 9th, 2010 8:31pm

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