wallpaper disappears on xp reboot/startup

Everytime i startup or reboot windows xp the desktop has a white background and the wallpaper i apply before rebooting does not appear. i've tried applying it through display properties and by right clicking on the picture and setting it as desktop background but the wallpaper does not appear and desktop is white everytime i start the computer. I run winndows xp sp2. please help me resolve this problem. Thanx in advance

 

Sounds as if you have one of the desktop hijackers, see if the below works.

Fixing Locked Desktop
Also you should right click on your Desktop and select Properties. Then click the Desktop tab and then the Customize Desktop button. Now in the next window that comes up click the Web tab. Make sure at the bottom that Lock desktop items is unchecked. Then in the Web pages: box delete all items but My Current Home Page and make sure it is unchecked too. Then click OK. Apply. OK.

 

I've done all that all settings in the web tab were as you said they should be and even did virus/spyware scans in safe mode and no infections were found. Anymore ideas, anyone? Thanx In advance.

 

See the below thread...

SpywareStrike, Smitfraud, SpySheriff, SpyAxe & PSGuard Removal

 

I've both you guys advice and i'm still not having any luck. this problem seemed to appear after installing zipgenius and trend micro anti-spyware. I also have windowblinds installed but i have never had problems with it. Thanx for all your support in advance

 

what amazes me is that when i restart the computer at times all i get is a blank screen, no icons and no form of hard drive activity. and i have to cold boot/reboot. After a few attempts the computer starts up normally but with no hard wallpaper. what really drives me round the bend as well is that my dvd rw drive is not working. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

 

You obviously have a lot of problems, which may or may not be related.

Do you have an XP CD? If so, try a repair.

 

sorry but as i said earlier my dvd rw drive is dead

 

It's probably only dead in Windows.

Does the drive work in Safe Mode?

 

Unfortunately no

 

I know you said the drive is dead, but have you tried a repair, or it won't work?

 

i didn't think i could repair without the windows xp cd. how do i go about it? i turned off my system restore ages ago so i would not be able to restore any settings either. Thanks in advance

 

I wasn't aware that you didn't have a Windows CD.

Do you have any CD's, like a Recovery CD?

Also, does the standard XP Luna Theme work, or any other wallpaper, or is it just a custom one that doesn't work?

 

sorry maybe you didn't understand me. what i meant was i cannot use any cd's coz my cd/dvd rw is dead. i have the windows xp and other recovery cd's. all wallpapers (both custom and default do not work

 

If you have the XP CD, then try booting with it (not autoplay) and see if the drive will do that.

You have a lot of issues that may be resolved with a repair if the CD drive will boot.

If not, do you have another machine you can test the CD drive in?

If the drive is dead, you will obviously need to get another one. Not much you can do without one.

About the only condolence is that they aren't expensive.

 

See if this works for your wallpaper problem,

Right click the desktop > properties > desktop tab > customize desktop button > web tab > highlight the entry and click delete > click OK > go back to desktop tab > choose your background.

Steve