i can not change my desktop background?

Question

ok i know there are a lot of posts on here with this same problem but i figured this would be easier.this all started a couple of days ago when my computer was swamped with adware and trojans.after 2 days of scanning and deleting virus after virus i finally have control over my computer again.the only problem now is that i can't change my background,when i go into desktop properties everything but color changer is blacked out.i still have the background i had before the attack but ive been wanting to change it for a while now.any help is greatly appreciated.

thank you ahead of time

Answer 1

Go To - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm



Manual: Start/Run/Regedit



HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop. NoChangingWallPaper

DWord value: 1 prevents changing wallpaper, 0 allows changes.



The same value can be created in the following Registry branch, to make the restriction machine wide.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

Answer 2

Reload windows, as a matter of fact anytime you get a virus it is best to reload windows. The mess that removing a virus leaves behind is just as bad as the virus itself. I am not implying you cannot clean up a virus but if it took 2 days of scanning then you are infected beyond a repair.



That said, put your windows disk in and reboot into it. hit enter at the first prompt and select repair at the second prompt, let it go through its reload cycle and see if it worked. Most the time I end up rebuilding a system that is infected just to get it to a point I can trust. Even if you have gotten all the virus out, the virus has damaged the system and little short of a rebuild will fully repair it.



PS: Backup your data and scan the backup to make sure you are not bringing virus's back to the rebuilt system.

Answer 3

sounds like you either still have spyware blocking you, or there's a local security policy not allowing you to change it. if you could change it before the virus and stuff, you probably still have spyware/viruses, or they messed it up so you can't change it. you could try reinstalling the latest service pack for whatever Windows you have, maybe it will replace the bad stuff so you can change it once again.

Answer 4

You might have to change it through the registry. Create a restore point. then go to run and type regedit. Go to edit find and type in background, then edit the registry key for the background and type what you want in there.