Desktop on windows XP home edition

[Guest]

When right clicking on the desktop, and then going to properties when
clicking on properties, the hourglass stays up and renders the the computer
helpless. Have to restart computer to get computer back. If I use display
properties from the control panel, everything works fine. After restart, the
desktop properties will display the display properties window.but only once.
If you try it again the display properties window will not appear, and then
you have to restart to get the computer back. Any ideas?

 

[Malke]

When right clicking on the desktop, and then going to properties when
clicking on properties, the hourglass stays up and renders the the
computer helpless. Have to restart computer to get computer back. If I
use display properties from the control panel, everything works fine.
After restart, the desktop properties will display the display
properties window.but only once. If you try it again the display
properties window will not appear, and then you have to restart to get
the computer back. Any ideas?

The last time I saw this was on a client's machine that was heavily
infested with spyware, including setting their background as a webpage
showing a spam message. Is your computer 100% virus and spyware-free?

Also, what changed between the time things worked and the time they
didn't?

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks for getting back to Malke, I have spyware, but when I run it all is
well. The computer is fully virus protected and has a firewall. I have run
spyware since reading your post and it shows no infected items. Also the
virus detection shows the computer to be clean. Any ideas?
Harvey

 

[Malke]

Thanks for getting back to Malke, I have spyware, but when I run it
all is well. The computer is fully virus protected and has a firewall.
I have run spyware since reading your post and it shows no infected
items. Also the virus detection shows the computer to be clean. Any
ideas?
Harvey

Maybe something in the right-click context menu is causing a problem.
You can troubleshoot that with the free ShellExView from:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Disable everything non-MS and see if the problem goes away. Then enable
what you want, one item at a time and test.

Other than that, as I asked you before - what changed? If the change was
recent, if the right-click editing doesn't help, maybe do a System
Restore to when it worked.

Malke

 

[Kelly]

In addition to Malke's expert advice.....

This is often due to third party desktop enhancers, start your
troubleshooting there, if this is the case. If it was and has been removed:

Restore All Display Tabs (right hand side) - Line 285:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

In addition, while in Start/Control Panel/Display.....go to
Desktop/Customize Desktop/Web and uncheck anything there, especially
Security.

Also run this combo:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot, CWShredder and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

Good luck and keep us all posted.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[TimO]

Try PestBlock from privacyanywhere (http://www.privacyanywhere.com).
It's very strong and popular spyware removal. Also it removes spyware
from LSP stacks! I'm very recommend to have it.

Tim.