Strange desktop problem!

Quantic · 19 Apr 2006 at 16:29

Hey,

I have just started up my PC and my desktop wallpaper was just blue. Strange I thought. Went into Display settings to change it - and it won't let me - the display is greyed out. Tried to change the Theme to Windows XP and a box comes out 'Cannot change to this theme...blah blah, press OK to deactivate active desktop'. OK was the only option. Did this. Rebooted. Now even when I change to Windows XP theme - it won't let me change the background image.

Any ideas?

Matt-Page · 19 Apr 2006 at 17:55

Start > Run > regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Down the bottom you have got a wallpaper key. What value/data does it have?

Quantic · 19 Apr 2006 at 18:40

The value is:

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Internet Explorer Wallpaper.bmp

Matt-Page · 19 Apr 2006 at 18:43

And is there a file in that directory?

Can you open it? If so try the below

Try putting a picture in the root of c:\ and calling it pic.jpg

Then change the value/data of the mentioned registry key to be c:\pic.jpg

Close regedit, log off and log on again/reboot.

Quantic · 19 Apr 2006 at 18:48

I can open it fine. But it isn't the pic that is displaying on the desktop. Changing the value to C:\pic.bmp didn't help either.

The whole option box to select a wallpaper is totally greyed out. Cannot select anything.

Matt-Page · 19 Apr 2006 at 18:55

Can you post a screen shot of you view of the Desktop folder, displaying it's contents on the right.

I think the problem is something to do with an active desktop and or spyware from experience.

Quantic · 19 Apr 2006 at 23:04

Hmm...turns out something called 'SpySheriff' hijacked my computer

SpyBot got rid though. Everything back to normal now hopefully

Thanks for your help anyway!