can't see desktop wallpaper?

Hi guys...I hope someone can help me. I have a problem where I can't see my desktop wallpaper. All that shows is my background color. But when I shut the computer down, for a split second I can see the wallpaper image. Also, I can't access the desktop tab when I go into desktop properties. It just crashes the properties dialog box when I click it.

Just up front, I have done everything in the malware removal thread. I have run several virus/spyware/rootkit removal softwares and still the problem is there (malwarebytes, spybot S&D, spyware doctor 6, AVG 8).

Can anyone help?

Thank you.
Rick

 

Hi, go to control panel and open display click desktop and try to change the background to another one

 

Hi, I did try that, but like I said it just crashes the display properties dialog box when I click on the desktop tab...thanks though

 

Open the Display Properties dialog; it should open to the 'Themes' tab; in the box with the little downward arrow (also called a 'drop down menu') it probably says 'Modified Theme'; click the arrow and select what I call a "concrete" theme like 'Windows XP' or 'Windows Classic'; do NOT click 'Apply' at any point in this process until I mention it later; click the 'Desktop' tab; click the 'Customize Desktop' button; click the 'Web' tab; make sure that anything listed in that box is unchecked; click 'OK'; select the 'Bliss' background; click the 'Appearance' tab; click the drop down menu for 'Windows and Buttons' and select the corresponding choice for either 'Windows XP' or for 'Windows Classic'; click 'Apply'; restart the PC. If this doesn't work, post again and we'll try something else. :-D
Good luck!

[dlb]

 

Hello. I got as far as clicking the desktop tab and the dialog box crashed again...

 

did I stump you guys?

 

Using latest drivers for your video card?
May have to uninstall then reinstall video card drivers.

 

I would try either selecting a whole theme and Applying. See if this replaces the Wallpaper.

Or download something like IrfanView picture viewer and opening a picture with it and then under Options set it as Wallpaper. See if the changes take.

If you choose irfanview (a good and trusted program) when you install read the screens carefully and I would leave file associations at none, and not install either program from Google. You just want irfanview so you can change wallpaper without going to the Windows Display Properties.

 

No good...but thanks! I tried selecting other images and setting as wallpaper and all that shows is the background color...however I do see the wallpaper image that I chose when I go into the display properties dialog box. It shows the picture in the small screen.

 

Does the Desktop tab still crash? Can you complete Dlb's full solution now?

 

hi, try booting up in safe mode and see if you can change the settings in Display Properties from control panel

 

I was searching, to see if anybody else had this problem, and I seem to have the same thing...I can't seem to put anything as a "picture" on my desktop background...I can change the color, no problem, and I plowed thru whatever MS had on this, but can't seem to find the answer...now, I have Vista, and I just got thru installing Service Pack 2, and I don't *think* that has anything to do with it...but FWIW...anyway, anyone have any clues? And like the guy above, the pictures show fine in the dialog boxes and whatnot, that comes up in Personalize, and Theme...just not on my desktop itself...

TIA

 

I'm sorry to say that I wasn't able to find a solution, and ended up reformatting. The problem got worse after a few days, all of my icons and start menu disappeared.

 

Yeah: I can set it fine with Firefox....but I just got Windows7 installed, about 5 minutes ago...it *should* work with that, on a different HD...thanks for the reply...