Favicon.ico - What am I doing Wrong?

[dharrison]

Hi

I am just in the process of developing my new page template for my site revamp There are no Links as this is a Template!!

I have adhered to many a step by step guide, used a plug-in for Photoshop CSS to convert the favicon.ico, uploaded it to the root folder and added <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" /> in the head section of the document.

But it only works properly in Netscape and Opera and not Firefox or MSIE. MSIE seems to be the worst offender. I tried a PNG format before and it woked in FF and nothing else.

Can I use more than one favicon (eg PNG) and how do I get any icon working in MSIE? I have tried clicking Refresh and Ctrl & F5 and adding '?'s to the end of the URL.

Any help will be gratefully received and kudo'd/

Thanks

[Narasinha]

Originally Posted by dharrison

I have adhered to many a step by step guide, used a plug-in for Photoshop CSS to convert the favicon.ico, uploaded it to the root folder and added <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" /> in the head section of the document.

But it only works properly in Netscape and Opera and not Firefox or MSIE. MSIE seems to be the worst offender. I tried a PNG format before and it woked in FF and nothing else.

Can I use more than one favicon (eg PNG) and how do I get any icon working in MSIE? I have tried clicking Refresh and Ctrl & F5 and adding '?'s to the end of the URL.

Well, I can't say much about Photoshop, since there doesn't seem to be a Linux version available, but I have had similar problems with other software. Actually, the .ico file type is its own animal. It's a Windows thing, but other systems have picked up the use, primarily for the bookmark/favorite icon. There is an on-line FavIcon Generator that I have used which seems to do a very good job of converting different files to icons. It preserves transparency, whether you start with a GIF or PNG, and it also supports JPG and BMP formats. As the icon in the browser is 16 by 16 pixels, it's best to start with a square image. This tool can also provide a 32 by 32 pixel desktop icon and a 48 by 48 pixel XP icon. These different versions are all in a single .ico file. That's one of the features of the file type.

Best Regards,
Dan

[sands]

The Favicon does appear in FF. As for IE, it appears besides the title when the page is added to favorites and then also shows up in the Address bar.

[dharrison]

Originally Posted by sands

The Favicon does appear in FF. As for IE, it appears besides the title when the page is added to favorites and then also shows up in the Address bar.

How come I ain't seeing it then? I am using MSIE 7 and you?

[sands]

IE7 it is. Then again it did not show when I tried now. One more of the quirks of IE I suppose. But I saw it in the Address bar earlier only after adding the page to favorites. On the MSDN site as could be expected they make it look as if the favicon will always appear in IE7. But how come you do not see it even in FF?

[dharrison]

Originally Posted by sands

IE7 it is. Then again it did not show when I tried now. One more of the quirks of IE I suppose. But I saw it in the Address bar earlier only after adding the page to favorites. On the MSDN site as could be expected they make it look as if the favicon will always appear in IE7. But how come you do not see it even in FF?

I think I have an Caching issue on my main PC, because it works on my laptop in both FF and MSIE.

Oh well, panic over I guess. Next step, .htaccess files.

Thanks sands and all of ya.

[Dubbya]

You have not done anything wrong, the user must save the site as a favorite for the .ico to show up.

Once they place the link in their favorites folder, viola! Every time they hit your page, they'll see the icon.

I don't know it it's a browser bug or an "enhancement" but there's your fix.

[alvin_poh]

i had that problem too

*mumbles* dang cache............*mumbles*

[fastcart11]

Also had these problems...almost fell out of my chair laughing when

I realized that all I had to do was. get this:

*shut the browser* and then (the tricky part) *reopen it*...

Favicons seem to have some weird local cache/uncached thing...

[roxane]

Originally Posted by Dubbya

You have not done anything wrong, the user must save the site as a favorite for the .ico to show up.

Once they place the link in their favorites folder, viola! Every time they hit your page, they'll see the icon.

I don't know it it's a browser bug or an "enhancement" but there's your fix.

In IE yes, but in FF & Opera, the favicon appears in the address bar whether it's a fave or not.

I have 3 browsers installed, and I see the favicon in FF, Opera, & temporarily saved it as a fave in IE6 where I see it as well....but I have noticed that even with my own sites, sometimes the favicons appear in my IE favorite list, and sometimese they don't. Could it be an IE thing that makes favicons seem so flighty I wonder?

[Dubbya]

That's exactly what it is... a bug in IE.

Favicons work just fine in any other browser except the browser most used by millions around the world... neat, huh?

[sands]

Noticed something here. Had checked out a link to a photo I wanted a friend to see. Chose FF to check. Was surprised to see the thumbnail of the photo in the Address Bar of the browser where the favicons appear and also on the tab. So I guess it is not only favicons that appear in FF.

[jordanmcclements]

favicon.ico should now appear in IE7 in the address bar and tabs etc.

All the more reason to make sure you use it...

NB - here is a good resource if you cannot be bothered to download and install a favicon editor:-


Favicon Generator and Gallery