Cannot change desktop background

[CareyC]

Not sure if this is a virus issue but I cannot change the background on my
desktop. I can change the colour of the background but the system will not
allow me to make a selection from the standard choices nor will it allow me
to browse for a custom selection.

 

[philo]

Not sure if this is a virus issue but I cannot change the background on my
desktop. I can change the colour of the background but the system will not
allow me to make a selection from the standard choices nor will it allow me
to browse for a custom selection.

That's funny.
Yesterday I was working on a machine that had the same problem..
and other than that the machine worked perfectly.

I used a work-around...

I just used the free image viewer IRFanView


browsed over to the image I wanted

then used the option in IRFanView to "set as wallpaper"


It worked!

Maybe someone else has a better answer though.


BTW: It never hurts to fun a full scan for malware though

 

[The Real Truth MVP]

Use my Remove-it software, it will remove that malware from your system.
Choose yes for all options when prompted. Download it here
http://pcbutts1.com/downloads/tools/tools.htm

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

Use my Remove-it software, it will remove that malware from your system.
Choose yes for all options when prompted. Download it here
http://pcbutts1.com/downloads/tools/tools.htm

Don't touch anything from this imposter.

 

[The Real Truth MVP]

Something tells me that as*holes like you don't know what you are talking
about, you think you do but you don't. Please visit
http://pcbutts1.com/downloads/fu.htm you might learn more about yourself.

 

[Elmo]

Not sure if this is a virus issue but I cannot change the background on my
desktop. I can change the colour of the background but the system will not
allow me to make a selection from the standard choices nor will it allow me
to browse for a custom selection.

No Wallpaper

-----Method--1-:---------------------------
Registry fix-Automated:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/wallpaperenable.reg
------------------------------------------------

-----Method--2-:---------------------------
If you have XP -Pro :
1.Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc
2.Under User configuration Click [Administrative
Templates\ControlPanel\Display\]
3. There will be value named "Prevent changing wallpaper". Set it to
"NotConfigured"
------------------------------------------------

-----Method--3-:---------------------------
Manually (XP -Any):
1.Open Regedit
2. Click
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop>
3. There will be a value named "NoChangingWallpaper". Set it to 0
4. Click
<HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop>
5. Repeat Step 3
------------------------------------------------

If the above fails :
Microsoft Method- <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921049/>

As suggested by Ayush

 

[nass]

Not sure if this is a virus issue but I cannot change the background on my
desktop. I can change the colour of the background but the system will not
allow me to make a selection from the standard choices nor will it allow me
to browse for a custom selection.

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... First, try to clean up your caches, Internet files and delete cookies
by doing this:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Double click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Tabs:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-gb/default.htm?s_cid=sah
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (offline scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Run disk clean up on your Drive.
You can download this tool o run clean up:
http://www.ccleaner.com

Then try these steps one at a time:
1- Right click Desktop select Properties and on the Display properties click
on
Desktop Tab then click Customize Desktop.
On the Desktop Items click on Web Tab and be sure all boxes unchecked there.
Then click on Appearance Tab then Effects button. On the Effects window be
sure the settings been set to suite your requirements.
On the Effect Windows select these boxes:

[ √ ] Use the following transition effect for menus and Tooltips:

[ Fade effect ][v]

[ √ ] Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts:
[ Standard ][v]

[ ] Use Large Icons
[ √ ] Show shadows under menus
[ √ ] Show window contents while dragging
[ √ ] Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt
Key

2- In the Control Panel click Tools >> Folder Options then click on View under
this option:
[&] Files and Folders

[ √ ] Display Simple folder view in Explorer's Folders list and close the
Folder Options window and Reboot your computer

3-Right click on Desktop >>"Arrange Icons by" and make sure Lock Web
items is unchecked.

Please perform one step (1,2,3) at a time and Hit F5 to refresh and see if
the issue been resolved.

Line 142, right hand column, Allow Wallpaper Changes
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
HTH,
nass
====
http://www.nasstec.co.uk