Computer Advice

Hey, I've been having problems with having a background on my computer.

I went to the 'Display properties' and then desktop but all the options are in 'gray' meaning I can't click on them to change them.

I had this problem with Windows ME but now I uploaded Windows XP professional and still am having this problem. Can someone help me with some tech. support? Microsoft is asking for 60$ to give an answer and saints, I don't have that.

Thanks.

I found 2 links to try
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-nt-2000-xp/533844-unable-access-desktop-tab-display.html

and here:

http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t17414.html

They look rather lengthy. Both links seem to say the same thing. Its either a virus or spyware.
Hope this helps!

GOD Bless
John

I think you are asking about the desktop where all your icons are displayed, if so

press start

then click control panel

then double click the display icon

then click the desktop tab and make your choices.

You can also set your screne saver from this page

When you are done press Ok

I hope this helps

Here is what I would do...

Go to Start->Run and type gpedit.msc and press Enter. Then follow the menus to go to User Configuration-> Administrative Templates-> Control Panel -> Display.

Double click "Prevent changing wallpaper" and select either Not Configured or Disabled. That is where you can "gray out" or "ungray" that setting.

Does that make sense?

sorry i miss read what you were asking.

I think I might have a virus and spyware.

Because when I had Windows XP, I had a 'stop sign' on the bottom right of my computer and it said, "Your computer is infected." And I've never had that before. The computer began going 'hey-wire'.

So then I loaded up XP because I thought it would wipe out everything and start from new. (Because last time I put XP over my ME, it deleted everything and started over from new)

But I still have that problem.

Parsley, I clicked on 'Disable' then tried 'enable' and yet it's still 'gray'.

I hope this helps describe the problems.

Thanks so far for the help, if your willing please continue. 8-)

edit: Those links didn't help. Sorry. I got more confused through the links because other things popped up. (Like a link to many downloads instead of one...)

Ahh, I'm also getting this pop up. I have a few pop up blockers but this is still getting by.

It's telling me I have '55 errors' and need to fix my computer or it would shut down and have serious errors.

I know it's probly an advertisment, but it KEEPS POPPING up every 3 minutes.

Here is a good resource. http://www.tek-tips.com.

If that doesnt help, in my opinion,I would format the drive (save everything you can first!!) and then reinstall the operating system. Otherwise,everything else is just a bandaid!

GOD Bless
John

"Your computer is infected." And I've never had that before. The computer began going 'hey-wire'.

Do you have any anti virus?

If not, click below for a good free one.

http://free.grisoft.com

I realize you are asking for a fix to a small problem, but in my experience as a long time frustrated PC owner, there is only one solution I have ever found for viruses, spyware, and other PC headaches.

[url=http://www.apple.com/getamac/]The Solution[/url]

I just picked up a used one for a less then a new PC...and it will be running virus free for years after the new PC's are in the trash can.

MC

Tek-tips?

What do I download?

Compton, I'd love a Mac. Wanna help a brother out? :-P But for now I have to deal with what I got.

Parsley, when I try to download that stuff it says, "Save to a disk" and 'grays' out the rest of my options.

edit: Parsley, I am using Firefox and it 'grays' those options but not on IE.

Ok, try to save it to a disk, then open the file after it is finished. Does that work?

You can always go Linux! There are many free Linux OSs.

Last time I used Linux, I freaked out. I'm kind of 'gun-shy' about it. So, I'd prefer using Windows XP.

Edit: I'm uploading the 3 AVG free-programs.

What do I do when AVG found a virus? How do I delete it? (I'm in the middle of a scan)

Compton, I'd love a Mac. Wanna help a brother out?

:-P :-P

Compton wrote:

Compton, I'd love a Mac. Wanna help a brother out?

:-P :-P

I'll give you my address. ;-)

I hope I can fix my computer with AVG. Man, it's driving me bonkers.

Dealing with those icons you could dig in the registry or use msconfig to disable spyware programs.
But probably the easiest way to get rid of spyware would be downloading [url=http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=9]'hitmanpro' 2.6[/url]. :-)

Hmm, would two programs of anti-spyware be bad? Cause if not, then I'm gonna download both.

Two anti-spyware program will usually work fine. Having two virusscanners at the same time can be a different story. About hitmanpro's behaviour, it installs and runs the following:

This is exactly what Hitman Pro does: it combines Ad-Aware SE, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, CWShredder, Spyware Blaster, NOD32, Sysclean package. Most of the included programs are freeware. Some of these programs are limited trial editions of commercial programs, and the user can decide to switch these off after the trial period.

Note that you better not use the computer while hitmanpro is running and that it might take some time till its finished.

Okay, AVG deleted 6 viruses and locked one of them. I'm on the spyware part. I'll try to download everything that everyone has been telling me. I'll get back to you in about 2/3 days.

The two programs that all tech guys I know like to work with most are Spybot and Ad-aware SE Personal Ed., both of which that Hitman Pro has.

Big thing for the future: when you load up Spybot, be sure to go to the part that says "Immunize" and hit the button that actually does... it's exceptionally helpful for IE users.

One of the better free virus scanners is Trend Micro's... which can be run via java applet (so you're not installing much).

Also, Spybot has a feature in it which allows you to see what different programs are launched every time you start your computer - as well as having information on them to tell you whether or not people have found them to be illegitimate. If you go to the mode menu and click advanced (ok), then go into tools, system startup there's a list. Click the bar on the right hand side for info, and then check the different options (ignore ctfmon and blank values - they are fine even if they don't appear to be so.)

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, at least those tools should help in their default functions.

I just did the virus thing and spyware. Still no solution to the desktop picture. Nor the thing that pops up every 2 minutes.

I had Windows ME and then uploaded Windows XP. But now have gotten more problems. So, I don't know what to do.

You may have deleted a dll file or a main system file.
This could be a problem it is just finding out what you have deleted or the virus has deleted and then reload it.
1. What is the thing that pops up every 2 minutes ?
2. Does it show you information about your computer ?
The reason I ask this you may have a keylogger or a virus that may not show up. Lop was a classic.
3. What would be smart to do would be to look up the site that it shows maybe on a virus site such as Symantic or other sites.

The key is finding the root of the problem.
Think of it as a series of issues it could be your graphics card.

As there is so many different issues
The issues that I could probably nail it down to are
1. Deleted DLL files http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
2. A virus has taken over your desktop
3. Problems with your Graphics Card- Because that is linked to your desktop but it sounds like the toolbar is coming up fine

Pray that god will reveal an answer !!
Could you possibly do PRnt- Scrn with your keyboard then paste what happens so I can see abit more detail.
I am basically trying to think of everything I can
Dom

PRnt- Scrn

How do I do that?

I can change the color of my background but the rest, like pictures are in 'gray'.

I'm using all those programs. I do think there is a virus but hopefully I kicked it out.

If all goes to crap, how do I start new?

PRnt- Scrn

That means Print Screen.

Just press the Print Screen button on your keyboard, go to MS Word or Paint, and paste. Then e-mail it to Dom. (or who ever)

Anti- Spyware was slowing down my computer so I deleted it. Computer runs a lot faster now. No weird popups or anything.

But, still can't change my desktop.

If only I could come by and have a look at your computer.. :-)
There is something else you can try. Open the image you want as background with paint. Then look in the menu of the program for 'Set as desktop wallpaper'.

Its not the best way, but it should work.

I tried that, it didn't work. :-(

Have you tried to disable the loading of some programs or files with msconfig?

Try [url=http://www.speedupmyxp.com/msconfig.php]this[/url].

Just uncheck all the icons, click ok and reboot.
You will receive a notification that the startup settings are modified. Check if you can change your wallpaper. Else go back to msconfig and select the 'general' tab and click 'normal startup' to undo your changes.