Vista - file icons dont match contents-file names hidden

I have LOTS of graphics on my computer. The folder icons in vista home
premium don't always match the contents of the file. This is frustrating,
since I have to go looking in 100s of folders for the right one instead of
just looking at the folder exteriors. For example, in a folder of pictures, a
picture from a completely different filewill be on the front. I have gone
into properties>customized>chosen a new file. It will stay for awhile, but
not permanently.
In additon, some files names are hidden in the folders, but the option to
restore the file names is not in the views menu.
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Fosbury