Thanks for the useful information.

I started simple, using the display properties to modify the icons.  It made
changes in the
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Shell
Icons] section of the registry.  However, after a reboot, it reverted back.
(Even lost the additions..)

For laughs (after backing up my registry of course) I modified the values in
the HKEY_USERS section, also reverted.

What *appears* to have worked for me is altering the defaulticon for each
object in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID.   I used IconPackager to make the changes
that I wanted.  I then exported the values out of the HKEY_CURRENT_USER
section, loaded up my editor, did a search and replace and re-imported it
back into the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT section.

A pain in the butt to say the least, but so far the icons are staying the
way I want them.  Not sure why XP wanted to play hardball about this, for
the most part its a clean install minus a few system utilities (Antivirus
and so on and so forth).

Thanks again for the information, pointed me in the right direciton :)

Changing the icons in the Display dialog changes them here
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID

This is new to XP and overrides the older settings (from previous versions)
that still work if there is not an entry here. Confirm that this key is
changing and staying changed. (EG Recycle Bin is
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{
645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon)

However one of the older ways (there are two) overrides this new way. This
way normally has no default values, but if they do it will override. This is
how I change Icons. And most icon programs for older OSs also change them
here.

Shell Icons
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Shell
Icons]
"Number from list below"="Path to icon, Icon index"
The list below specifies the number for the default shell icons.

The path to icon is a dos path to the icon, in a registry file remembe to
use \\ (regedit rmoves one \ when merging).

The icon index is used when the icons are coming from a binary file like a
.dll or .exe. It is the position of the icon in the file (a negitive number
is the inverse of the resource ID). Omit the comma and Icon Index when using
an .ICO file.

To get the index create a shortcut, right click and choose Properties, then
Change Icon, then Browse. Select the file and click open. The icons are
numbered from 0 downwards then across.

Icons can also be set under the Default Icon setting for the object in
HKEY_ROOT (which is where Windows stores its' icon information), the Shell
Icon setting overrides this.

     Value Description
     0 Unknown File Type
     1 Default Document
     2 Default Application
     3 Folder
     4 Open Folder
     5 5.25 inch Floppy
     6 3.5 inch Floppy
     7 Removable Drive
     8 Hard Drive
     9 Network Drive
     10 Network Disconnected
     11 Cd-rom Drive
     12 Ram Drive
     13 Globe
     14 Network Pipes ?
     15 Desktop
     16 Print Manager
     17 Network Neighborhood
     18 Workgroup
     19 Program
     20 Document Folder
     21 Settings
     22 Find
     23 Hint
     24 Command
     25 Screen Saver
     26 Docking
     27 Display
     28 Sharing Overlay (Hand)
     29 Shortcut Overlay (Small Arrow)
     30 Default Printer Overlay (Small Tick)
     31 Recycled Empty
     32 Recycled Full
     33 Dial-up Networking
     34 Desktop
     35 Control Panel
     36 Program Groups
     37 Printers
     38 Font
     39 Start Menu settings
     40 Audio Cd
     44 Log Off
     45 May not apply to Win98
     46 May not apply to Win98

Download a zip file called OpenFolder.zip containing a green open icon and
registry file that makes the current open folder in Explorer green. In later
versions of the shell the icon index must be specified (which is 0) and an
extra reg file has been added (15/9/00). Please let me know which reg file
works with which version of Windows / Internet Explorer.