display properties will not allow changes

[Charles Schwindt]

The display properties on the desktop or the appearance and theme in the
control panel will not bring up the display screen so that changes can be
made. I have tried the system restore and it did not fix this issue. Are
there any fixes for this problem?

 

[Malke]

The display properties on the desktop or the appearance and theme in
the control panel will not bring up the display screen so that changes
can be made. I have tried the system restore and it did not fix this
issue. Are there any fixes for this problem?

Is the computer virus/malware-free? Make sure your computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If you can't enable desktop backgrounds after a virus, MVP Kelly Theriot
has a fix. Look under Wallpaper-Desktop-Disable Changing here:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm

If Display tabs are missing, run Kelly's registry edit on line 285,
right-hand side "Restore all display tabs".

Malke

 

[Wouter Willemse]

IN addition, if you cannot change a theme, make sure the theme service is
running (you can check under control panel -> performance and maintenance ->
administrative tools -> services). If you want to use themes, it should be
set to start automatically.

 

[Mike Hyndman]

The display properties on the desktop or the appearance and theme in the
control panel will not bring up the display screen so that changes can be
made. I have tried the system restore and it did not fix this issue. Are
there any fixes for this problem?

Is this a recent problem? Is it a new or S/H pc? I had this problem on a
pair of pc's recently on which the previous owner had run "gpedit.msc" and
configured the desktop display, wallpaper etc., so it couldn't be changed.
MH