Ok, here's the lowdown for this particular situation:

Internet Cafe, 15 PC's, Windows 98 SE.
Systems are restored after each session.
Updates are done every week, where a backup (for the restore) is taken.

Mostly, everything is fine! WHOOHOO!
However, on a few machines the following problems occur.

The "quicklaunch" toolbar is removed, but always returns when windows is restarted (this is a normal restart - no restore). I need to get rid of it before I do the backup!

Also, just as above, a few machine will always reposition the desktop icons from the way they were orginally positioned!

All Windows updates have been done.

Any idea on how to get rid of the quicklaunch permanently and keep the icons as I want them?

I'm guessing some reg hacking, thought I'd try the good people here for ideas first!

Thanks!

Don't know if this will help, K:

Configure the desktop the way you see fit, then enable this tweak so that it wont be changed.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'NoSaveSettings' set the value to equal '1' to enable the restriction.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart for the changes to take effect.

Key:[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
Value Name: NoSaveSettings
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Data:(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)


P.S. I assume you've tried un-ticking the Auto Arrange option for your desktop?  

Would setting a new restore point, just after you restore and remove the quick launch and arrange your desktop as you want it, allow you to restore to that point the next time K instead of going back to the same point each time  

:damn:  I was going to say that, but I thought she'd have a clever answer!!  

Damn I must have forgotten to take my HRT this morning and didnt read the post fully like you oestrogen deficient guys often do  

:blonde: Or my phone may be engaged next time you break your PC  

Really appreciate the thread hijack guys....
I'm fine with it as long as you don't mention chocolate.

Anyway, imagine its your PC. No restore or backups are happening.
You arrange the icons then switch off. The next time you log on, the icons are messed up again! And quicklaunch is there!!

Oh, I should mention that the icons always go back to the same positioning - down the left. Its not alphabetical, but it always shows the same way no matter how much its been rearranged.

I had exactly the same trouble with destop icons not staying where you put them on Windows 98, and the method I posted above worked for me.

I have had another look and found this free program which might help.  It's in the link below, but you'll have to scroll down to the right bit.  The download is in the top right hand corner (see below).  

I have to say I have not tried this program as I no longer have W98.  

Hope it helps.  

http://www.geocities.com/thestarman3/tool/FreeTools.html