ICON BUG – DO THIS:
I'm explaining this in a way that even new users will understand – I'm not talking down to experienced geeks.
Set up all your icons where you want them.
1. Make Finder active (click the desktop) [Finder is the application that runs your desktop]
2. In the Finder's Menu, up top, click and HOLD "GO"
3. While holding GO, press the Option key. Voila! – an item "Library" pops into the list. This is an "invisible item" that is only seen with Option pressed. Choose it.
4 A "Library" folder window will open on your desktop. Go down the Library list to "Preferences." Click Preferences
5. In Preferences, find – com.apple.desktop.plist – and drag it to the trash [If you didn't do the "option trick" the desktop.plist won't appear. Leave the Library folder open just to see the next step.
6. The plist contained a path to your desktop picture which, if you had a custom one, will default to the Galaxy if you restart now. Re-set your screen saver now by switching to any other then right back to it – It will re-appear, and so will another 'com.apple.desktop.plist' document jump into your Library folder. It has all of your new desktop info.
DONE. You should be able to restart and everything should be where you left them.
• Summary: Finder (Desktop) > Go + Option > Library > Preferences > com.apple.desktop.plist >>> Trash
• > Dock > System Preferences > Set (Change and reset) your desktop picture. Done.
Warning (sorry), I've had the problem recur once, and I've been trying to duplicate it . . . nothing yet. Good luck to us all.