hi Manos,
I can't answer you regarding ICQ coz I don't use it but I have the same trouble with the disapearing icons in explorer (folder view)
I had some hardware problems and was forced, two weeks ago, to reinstall XP but something occured during setup, don't know what exactly but xp was installed in I: instead of C: (though it's the first partition on the first HD) and since then... no icons in explorer
tonight i tried something, an old DOS command :
subst c: i:\
... and the icons are back in explorer
now i'm trying to find out WHY