XP Desktop Background

Let me begin by saying I've done a search here on Major Geeks and also across the internet. I have gone through the Malware procedures and have been told the machine is basically clear. At this point what I'm seeing on the desktop is an open folder. All of my icons appear, as does the information (files, docs, and pics) from within the file. I can change the background to other folders but cannot change it through Control Panel. If I right click on the desktop it gives me the options of the folder. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Does F11 change the view?

 

No F11 doesn't do anything as far as I can tell.

 

Can you upload a screenshot? [Print Screen button then open Paint and right-click and paste in the blank part and then save as jpg or png.]

I don't have XP handy and can't remember what that Control Panel looks like. Which icon in Control Panel did you use to try to change the desktop?

 

The screen shot is too large a file to upload. Right now I think its in .bmp format. I don't know how to resize or change formats.

Control Panel>Display>Desktop

At this point contrary to most of what I've read in similar situations Browse, Customize Desktop, etc... are not greyed out.

 

I'm sorry I don't have Paint to give specifics. You should be able to change the file type of the screenshot when you save it by using the dropdown box in the Save or Save as dialog boxes. I think png will be the smallest.

The screen looks like an Explorer window maximized with no Red X at the corner is that basically the deal?

 

Basically. Let me see if I can change it, when I tried to save as it didn't work, but lets check taking a new shot.


I think I got it. I hope you can see this.

 

I think I'm off track here...Do you have a clock and taskbar at the bottom of the screen? You probably do, so I am going in the wrong direction.

I'm turning in for the night. Let's see if someone running XP can help overnight.

 

I do have a clock and taskbar, its quite strange actually I can make it a couple other files also...

Lets see if I can get another shot, just to show what I'm talking about. Cause I can change the desktop but not to anything I want.

 

Can you do this? Right click on the desktop and get this to pop up?
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9225/43122166.png
And when you click on the PROPERTIES in the small window do yu get this screen to pop up?
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/8265/83611883.png
OR am I misunderstanding what your saying?

 

Yes I can get that to come up. I can also adjust those properties, and it seems that its trying to process the change but ends up with the same background.

 

I was siting here thnkin about it and it happened to me about 6 years ago. I don't remember how I fixed it but it I know it's really simple. like checking a box or something... I just don't remember right now...I'll try to mess my computer up[ to see if I can remember. (i'm about to reinstall XP anyway)

 

I can't for the life of me remember how I fixed it! Someone here may remember how??? But foe now can you get into the Control panel? If so try this..a longshot but just maybe??? GO to the SYSTEMS and then on the Advanced tab then to the Performance click settings. Probly on "let windows choose what's best..." IF that circle is click they"adjust for best performance". See if that works??? If not try the administrative in the control panel then Services. Look for themes and stop and disable that. Reboot and see what ya got for a background? If it's changed go back and undo everything you did and see if you can change the background??

MAybe try this?http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/change-default-wallpaper-folder-to-my-pictures-on-windows-xp/ Can't hurt. Well i t can but you can check yours against the the pic on the site.

 

Well I finally got it. I'm not sure exactly what I did differently this time. I did actually catch a few bugs left with Avast. But after that I just changed themes and saved the new theme. Then I changed the background, and it took. Unfortunately I'm not sure this post is going to help anyone but thanks for the support and thoughts, I think that in and of itself kept me moving forward.

 

Glad ya got it working again! Maybe it will help someone? Theres a few of us out here that are die hard XP users. (Had Vista, it's annoying) Have Windows 7 to try (no key so just "30 day trial". IF i can get it to work with my old computer??)

 

Good work guys!

When I saw the screenshot this morning...I was thinking, "uh-oh that is a new one on me."

@Vikingsfan, sometimes just asking the question is enough to spur yourself on to figure things out for yourself. I know it often gets me thinking in new ways when I see how others go about solving the problem.

 

@Sach2 Yeah totally different than most everything I've discovered searching here and across the net. The thing was it was as if the background was being pointed to the C drive or something. And the frustrating part about that was when I right clicked on almost every file I got options from within that file as opposed to a typical desktop set of options. Thanks to you for keeping me going.

@Christopherjellybean thanks for the help and extra motivation.