Desktop background

S

sue

I can't change my background. Followed instructions, went into control
panel, there is supposed to be an icon for 'appearances' but I have no icon
for that. I can't even get the backgrounds that came with the system!!!
When I right click on a picture (photo) I can click on "set as desktop
background" but it still doesn't change it.
Someone help!!
 
B

Big Al

sue said:
I can't change my background. Followed instructions, went into control
panel, there is supposed to be an icon for 'appearances' but I have no icon
for that. I can't even get the backgrounds that came with the system!!!
When I right click on a picture (photo) I can click on "set as desktop
background" but it still doesn't change it.
Someone help!!
Click to expand...

You get to it by right clicking on a blank spot on your desktop, pick
properties, then the Desktop tab.
 
S

sue

Already tried that. It only gives me options forthemes screen saver
appearance and settings. When I go into themes, it won't let me browse
through my own pictures. Appearance on this is only showing the message box
colours can be altered. (Still need help!!) Thank you!
 
B

Big Al

sue said:
Already tried that. It only gives me options forthemes screen saver
appearance and settings. When I go into themes, it won't let me browse
through my own pictures. Appearance on this is only showing the message box
colours can be altered. (Still need help!!) Thank you!
Click to expand...
Wow, never seen a PC with a tab missing on that dialog box.
Try this.
http://www.theeldergeek.com/desktop_tab_missing_from_display.htm
If not I found this just by doing google for 'missing desktop tab'.
 
N

Nepatsfan

sue said:
I can't change my background. Followed instructions, went into control
panel, there is supposed to be an icon for 'appearances' but I have no icon
for that. I can't even get the backgrounds that came with the system!!!
When I right click on a picture (photo) I can click on "set as desktop
background" but it still doesn't change it.
Someone help!!
Click to expand...


You might want to run the registry fixes listed below and see if they help fix
your problem.

Courtesy of Kelly Theriot, MS-MVP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Line 128, right hand column, Restore Desktop and Screensaver tabs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/desktoptab.reg

Line 142, right hand column, Allow Wallpaper/Background Changes
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/wallpaperenable.reg

Line 285, right hand column, Restore All Display Tabs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/restorealldisplaytabs.reg

This type of problem is often caused by a virus or some other type of malware.
Just to be on the safe side, you might consider taking steps to make sure the
system is malware free. Here's a site with general instructions on cleaning a
computer.

Courtesy of Malke Routh, MS-MVP
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
T

Terry R.

The date and time was 5/13/2008 6:10 PM, and on a whim, sue pounded out
I can't change my background. Followed instructions, went into control
panel, there is supposed to be an icon for 'appearances' but I have no icon
for that. I can't even get the backgrounds that came with the system!!!
When I right click on a picture (photo) I can click on "set as desktop
background" but it still doesn't change it.
Someone help!!
Click to expand...

Hi Sue,

Could someone have changed your settings? There is a way to have that
removed in gpedit.msc. Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc. Navigate to
User Configuration-Administrative Templates-Control Panel-Display. Check
to see if "Hide Display Tab" isn't set to Enabled. If it is, dbl-click
on it and set it to "Not configured".

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
T

Terry R.

The date and time was 5/14/2008 12:49 AM, and on a whim, Redneck pounded
out on the keyboard:
Unless she has XP Pro then there is no gpedit.msc
Click to expand...


Well she didn't state otherwise and I'm not going to write a post just
to ask. That's a waste of time.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
R

Redneck

Another one who did not get any
Terry R. said:
The date and time was 5/14/2008 12:49 AM, and on a whim, Redneck pounded
out on the keyboard:



Well she didn't state otherwise and I'm not going to write a post just to
ask. That's a waste of time.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
Click to expand...
 
T

Terry R.

The date and time was 5/14/2008 8:23 AM, and on a whim, Redneck pounded
out on the keyboard:

Another one who did not get any
Click to expand...



It looks like you never "had any" to begin with...

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
S

sue

Thank you for your help, okay, I now have the tab for desktop in my display
properties, but I still can't change anything. What do I do next?
Also, how am I supposed to know if these websites (elephantboycomputers) or
any others are safe or not?
Can't you tell....I am quite computer illiterate, but I'm trying.

Thanks
 
R

Ranger

fkn wnkr gt a lfe.

Terry R. said:
The date and time was 5/14/2008 8:23 AM, and on a whim, Redneck pounded
out on the keyboard:





It looks like you never "had any" to begin with...

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
Click to expand...
 
T

Terry R.

The date and time was 5/15/2008 12:58 AM, and on a whim, Ranger pounded
out on the keyboard:
fkn wnkr gt a lfe.
Click to expand...

You should go to school and learn how to spell, not just text. You
might be able to get a job at McDonalds then.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
N

Nepatsfan

Did you run this registry fix?

Line 142, right hand column, Allow Wallpaper/Background Changes
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

You might want to restart your computer after running this file.

As for your question about whether the advice provided by web sites such as
elephantboycomputers.com is safe, that's something you're going to have to
decide for yourself. If you're not sure, do some research. A search on Google
groups may provide some reassurance. See if the web site is cited often as a
good resource.

Google Groups
http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&tab=wg&q=

Finally, if you find some of the advice offered by these web sites difficult to
follow, try to enlist the help of a family member, friend, or co-worker who you
feel may more familiar with the subject. If you're overwhelmed by the
information, it may be time to get a professional to look at your computer. And
by "professional", I'm not talking about the Geek Squad.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
M

MikeT

Reading posts to find an answer to the same problem as Sue: read Kelly, very
helpful, used line 142 RH enable, bingo, desktop background tab has
reappeared and works as advertised: As the Master once almost said, any
sufficiently advanced technology seems like magic.
Thanks Kelly
 

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