Copied applications get generic icons?

Lately, since about 10.4, I've been having more and more problems with applications losing their characteristic icons when they are copied from one volume to another. Right now, I'm in the process of trying to migrate from a PowerMac G4 to a Mac Mini so it's especially annoying.
For example, I have an application named Shutterfly SmartUpload on my external firewire backup drive, which is currently mounted on my Mac Mini. It shows its characteristic icon. But when I copy it to my Mac Mini's hard drive, the copy shows up with the generic application icon (with the letter "A" made out of a pencil, brush and ruler). The copied application launches and functions perfectly.
1) WHY does this happen? 2) Under Mac OS 9 this would occasionally happen and the cure was to rebuild the desktop; what's the cure under Mac OS X?

548/2994
Hi Daniel,
I would try first, a simple restart and a Permissions Repair, then if the problem persists,
a Disk Repair with Disk Utility, booting from the Tiger Install DVD.
If Disk Utility doesn't fix it, try then DiskWarrior.
HTH
Axl

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Most of my applications suddenly have generic application icons. When I double click on one of these, it bounces twice and then stops. Nothing opens. Also, a fair number of applications have just vanished completely. I can't find them in Terminal, either. DiskWarrior found a few problems and fixed them; Disk Utility found lots of permission errors, which it fixed, but no disk errors. Unfortunately, these fixes didn't solve my problem.
This all started right after installing Sims 2 (which runs fine). But it's just a drag-and-drop app, so I don't see how that could have messed things up.
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Hi, Stewart.
1. You wrote: "Most of my applications suddenly have generic application icons. When I double click on one of these, it bounces twice and then stops."See my:
• "Resetting Launch Services" FAQ.
• "Multiple applications quit unexpectedly or fail to launch" FAQ.
2. You wrote: "Also, a fair number of applications have just vanished completely…DiskWarrior found a few problems and fixed them"When files suddenly "go missing" this usually indicates directory corruption. Depending on the errors DW found and corrected, the OS or the Applications folder may still be damaged, i.e. the directory was fixed but files on the hard drive were still damaged. Disk directory repair utilities can fix the directory, but nothing can repair a corrupted file: it must either be restored from backup or, in the case of an application, reinstalled.
If your directory was corrupted prior to installing Sims 2, that installation may have overwritten parts of current applications that now either appear missing or fail to launch.
I suspect the only way you are going to resolve this is by performing an Archive and Install to assure there is no OS damaged. For important tips on this, see my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the specified order.
Third-party applications that are still misbehaving after the Archive & Install may need to be uninstalled, then reinstalled.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Copied applications get generic icons?

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