[TobyGPFunk]

Both my lap top (Mac Power Book G-4) and tower (Mac G-4) have the same issue, so I have infected both with something as I use the Power Book to back up my files as well as a Lacie 250. Whenever I restart, shut down or re-launch the finder on either machine the desktop comes up a mess in the icon format that I use initially as I sort the files in a manner that is quick to locate. I have searched everywhere as well have the Apple people with no assistance. I have used the PowerBook G4 Software Install and Restore three times; No help. By the way, no problem as long as I do not turn off the tower, but as the laptop often is shut down, the desk top comes up a mess in the icon format.

[kkingnia]

If you saw Steve's keynote address there aren't that many people who haven't moved to 10.4 Tiger, and if you are at all affiliated with a school you can get it for the education price. End of commercial.
You seem to be saying you arrange icons nicely just the way you want them on your desktop but with every startup/restart they are moved. Have you checked under View when Finder is running? Snap to Grid guarantees they will be moved-to a nice grid of columns and rows. I don't think you can "glue" them to a given spot on the desktop. However you may be able to use sleep instead of shutting down and restarting. I restart maybe once a month or if something like printing doesn't seem to work right.
I haven't seen my desktop picture in months, just keep windows of Safari, iCal, iChat,TextEdit, iTunes, and Mail and several other apps and Documents in a Finder window open all the time and use Recent Items under the blue Apple for less often used ones.
Just my ideas on this. Hope they help and write back if they didn't.

[TobyGPFunk]

Yes, I have already done what you mention. When is set to grid the icon's don't hold either and that is what has stumped three Apple store genesis associates. I actually visted two different Apple locations (Skokie and Northbook, Illinois). The second genesis told me to reinstall the software, which I did (three times) but no help. Its not a problem to purchase OSX 10.4, but I was told that this probably would not solve my problem. By the way, I did read the article in the last edition of MacWorld about OSX 10.4. If you actually think this will do it, I am off to the Apple store. At this point it in not a dollars and cents issue as it will be less costly than purchasing a new computer and not transfering files between my other "infected" computers.
Thank you for your time to respond!
Toby