Multiple ntuser.dat files and disappearing icons

ajf · 11 Jan 2012 at 15:11

A user at work has been complaining that icons/shortcuts on the desktop keep disappearing after logging off - although not every day.

Looking at the profile folder I found there are multiple ntuser.dat files, most with long strings after the filename.

Are the two linked and if so what it causing it?
I am reluctant to fiddle around unti I understand what they are.

Thanks
Andrew

BloodyL · 12 Jan 2012 at 10:36

Are they disappearing after logging off and straight back in again, or is the person logging off, going home and someone else is coming in on the next shift, logging in and removing the desktop shortcuts?
Multiple ntuser.dat files suggests that the machine is being used by more than one person.

I once made the mistake of moving my desktop icons into a folder to make it neater, little did I know that the shortcuts were for all users rather than per account, and had broke the shortcuts for everyone else... oops.

Deception · 12 Jan 2012 at 12:29

Are there multiple user folders for the same user, such as user1.001, user1.002 etc? Might be worthwhile running an anti virus scan 'just incase'.

bledd · 12 Jan 2012 at 12:30

I think I've seen this caused before by a dodgy hard drive

ajf · 12 Jan 2012 at 12:49

Thank you for the help. I will virus and disk checks just in case.

The machine is a laptop and is only ever used by the one user who takes it home at night.
The ntuser files all appear under the c:\user\username folder so can only be created by the one user anyway.

I have however possibly found the issue. They used to have a desktop and roaming profile.
Since they had the laptop the roaming profile was left on. If they use the machine off site and make changes, then log in on the network and it picks up the roaming one I am guessing it will get confused?

I have corrected this now so will see if it makes any difference.

Andrew