My computer was recently infected with spyware. I have since scanned for and
removed all pests but I have a problem still. I can't get my desktop
background to work. It is just a blank white screen and when I go to 'Display
Properties' and click on the 'Desktop' tab all of my available backgrounds
are ghosted out. I can't click on them at all and I am unable to set a
picture as a background from my documents folder. Please help!

Open Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
-and-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
Delete all the values you see in the right-pane, that have a value of 1.

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\System

Delete the values "Wallpaper" and "WallPaperStyle" in the right-pane.

Close Regedit.exe

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com


"Halocyon6" <Halocyon6@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:08BF381D-2AFC-4407-919D-0C2C02A65C91@microsoft.com...
My computer was recently infected with spyware. I have since scanned for and
removed all pests but I have a problem still. I can't get my desktop
background to work. It is just a blank white screen and when I go to
'Display
Properties' and click on the 'Desktop' tab all of my available backgrounds
are ghosted out. I can't click on them at all and I am unable to set a
picture as a background from my documents folder. Please help!

Trying to follow Ramesh's instructions but I don't seem to have the
referenced folders in my registry. For example, here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
-and-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

I don't have an Active Desktop under Policies. I have only Explorer
and Run. Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

If those two keys are not available, then it's fine. Skip them and look at
the other two branches.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com


"tempgal" <tempgal@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136039944.045855.208830@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
Trying to follow Ramesh's instructions but I don't seem to have the
referenced folders in my registry. For example, here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
-and-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop

I don't have an Active Desktop under Policies. I have only Explorer
and Run. Any other suggestions?

Thanks.