Desktop Themes...

[Guest]

I think I was probably hit by some sort of scumware a couple of days ago and
one of my "protection" tools failed to fix it completely...my desktop is
white and I am unable to modify it in any way. Since then, Ad-Aware, SpyBot,
Norton, HouseCall, etc. is unable to find anything on my system relating to
my problem, but there has to be at least a setting that was changed somewhere
because things still aren't working right.

Under my Display Properties, my "Themes" and "Desktop" tabs are there, but
no longer work. Under the Themes tab, I can use the drop-down, select any
theme I want, and even apply it, but my desktop doesn't change. Under the
Desktop tab, the Background selections are all greyed out and I am unable to
utilize the scroll bar or choose anything under that tab.

Is there a fix for this? Also, before you point me in any specific
direction, I've already searched the internet in general, searched through
all of Microsoft's Knowledge Base, and checked
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/ (as referred to in other posts), but still
have found nothing that works. I've found lots of information and have even
learned a bit more about the infamous registry, but nothing has corrected my
problem yet.

Thanx.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Steven Sinclair" <[email protected]>

| I think I was probably hit by some sort of scumware a couple of days ago and
| one of my "protection" tools failed to fix it completely...my desktop is
| white and I am unable to modify it in any way. Since then, Ad-Aware, SpyBot,
| Norton, HouseCall, etc. is unable to find anything on my system relating to
| my problem, but there has to be at least a setting that was changed somewhere
| because things still aren't working right.
|
| Under my Display Properties, my "Themes" and "Desktop" tabs are there, but
| no longer work. Under the Themes tab, I can use the drop-down, select any
| theme I want, and even apply it, but my desktop doesn't change. Under the
| Desktop tab, the Background selections are all greyed out and I am unable to
| utilize the scroll bar or choose anything under that tab.
|
| Is there a fix for this? Also, before you point me in any specific
| direction, I've already searched the internet in general, searched through
| all of Microsoft's Knowledge Base, and checked
| http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/ (as referred to in other posts), but still
| have found nothing that works. I've found lots of information and have even
| learned a bit more about the infamous registry, but nothing has corrected my
| problem yet.
|
| Thanx.


Download SmitFraud.exe from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/SmitFraud.exe

Execute; SmitFraud.exe { Note: You must accept the default of C:\McAfee }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to enable WGET.EXE to download the needed McAfee related files.

Execute; c:\mcafee\clean.bat
{ or Double-click on 'Clean Link' in c:\mcafee }

A final report in HTML format called C:\mcafee\ScanReport.HTML will be generated. At the
end of the scan, it will be displayed in your browser (Opera, FireFox or Internet Explorer).
It is suggested that you move the report out of c:\mcafee before performing another scan.


Please Copy and Paste the contents of the HTML Log file; C:\mcafee\ScanReport.HTML in your
reply.

* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Julie Armstrong]

Use this tool
AntiPuper v1.1 by secured2k
http://secured2k.home.comcast.net/tools/AntiPuper.exe

What does this tool do?
This tool will attempt to delete several known Trojan files. These files are
modified by the malware authors and encrypted to avoid detection.
Fortunately, many of these tend to use the exact same file names. If the
files are in use, locked, protected, etc, this program will schedule Windows
to remove the files upon restarting.

This program will also remove some common security policies that are changed
by viruses and worms. Policies that lock out your desktop changes, windows
update, Windows Firewall, Explorer Run policies, Registry editing, and more
are all reset.

The tool unlocks the ability to change or disable the desktop background
image or active web desktop background. You will need to manually change
your desktop background.

Go to Control Panel > Display > Desktop Tab > Customize Desktop > Web Tab.
If you see any entries that are checked, uncheck them. Click OK. If you want
to change the desktop background, do so now.

 

[Guest]

Woooohooooooooo!

8^)>

David's solution corrected the problem. The process is still running, but
everything is back to normal now.

Was it a registry setting or policy of some sort that was corrected?

I'll post the results as soon as it finishes!

THANX!!!

8^)>

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Steven Sinclair" <[email protected]>

| Woooohooooooooo!
|
| 8^)>
|
| David's solution corrected the problem. The process is still running, but
| everything is back to normal now.
|
| Was it a registry setting or policy of some sort that was corrected?
|
| I'll post the results as soon as it finishes!
|
| THANX!!!
|
| 8^)>

Yes. There are Local and Group Policies that are modified to limit the use of the OS by the
user and is done as a "self preservation" method of malware.

My tools are designed to not only remove those modifications and thwart the actions of
malware but also proactively search for other malware that may be present via signature
based anti virus detection and removal.