hey, (im running vista 32bit SP1, i hope its not too out of place to ask a question in a 64bit forum)
this looks like the closest i've found to a forum w/ my prob.
essentially i backed up my HD on an external (western digital) using "second backup" as the backup software.
i noticed after backing up that all my folder icons (favorites, contacts, music, pictures, etc...) reverted to the generic yellow folder.
i was able to change one or two (and only those in the shortcuts in "favorite links" heading of a windows explorer window) by right click -> properties -> change icon but all the folders (in their actual location eg. c:\users\"username") remain the ugly yellow folder.
changing them one by one seems inefficient and if annoying if it were to occur again.

i've done the right-click on destop -> personalize -> change desktop icon -> restore default, no result (tho i didnt really expect one since the desktop icons arent really the issue)
i've rebuilt the icon cache, no luck.
i've re-written the desktop.ini for a couple of them, no result (tho i didnt really expect one)
system restore isn't an option, i dont have an old enough restore point (hense the need for backing up).

i'm wondering of a systemic way to essentially restore the default icons for all these folders (music, video, downloads, etc...) and their respective shortcuts.

thoughts?

stellar! this did work, but i wonder if there was a simpler way... and what happened in the first place, so i can avoid it in the future.
nominal work shawn!! thanks