help! problems with my WinXP desktop (background problems, can't adjust it, etc.)

[paulb_888]

Hello there!

Something strange is wrong with my WinXP's Desktop, and I have no idea
how the problem started. Here are a few of the symptoms:

1. RIGHT-CLICK NOT WORKING: I can't access the Desktop's right-click
menu that I formerly used to customize its look and feel. Therefore,
for example: my icons are stuck to the grid, and I can't move them
around freely (I used to work comfortably with "auto arrange", "snap to
grid", etc.) another problem: I can't change the
wallpaper/background... this menu has disappeared somewhere!

2. FLICKERING DESKTOP BACKGROUND: The background on my desktop
flickers back and forth, intermittently, between white and gray.
Whatever happened to the picture of my son? I wish I could bring it
back!

3. DISPLAY PROPERTIES NOT ACCESSIBLE: When I go to the Control Panel
and click on "Display", and choose the "Desktop" tab, I can't change
the Background (i.e. "Background", "Browse" button, etc. are GRAYED OUT
and I can *see* the list of different backgrounds, but cannot select
any of them!)

Anyways, these are some of the symptoms. Do you have any idea what the
problem might be... is there something I can reset, a file that is
corrupt, something I need to reinstall, or another possible solution
(hopefully not "reinstall Windows XP"!)... could it be a virus or
spyware (if so, is there a freeware product you could recommend)... I
would be VERY grateful for any help you can provide.

Many thanks, and have a great day!

Paul

 

[Guest]

first look in your systems folder and see if you have any hardware issues.
if you find devices with question marks, then you can disabled them or roll
them back. go to run>msconfig and disable all your startups. then go into
your display properties and set your background, screensavers to none.
reboot and see how your system acts. if there is no change then run the anti
spyware and virus. if none are found, insert your windows cd and run setup
from your desktop. do a repair via the new install option...