Background Gone

Short Version: My background screen is either white or cream colored - seems to pulse every 10 seconds or so. I cannot change the background screen thru the control panel OR by right clicking directly on the background (no options to change it even come up anymore).

Longer Version: I was apparently attacked by Adware or Malware whereby my background screen was hijacked. The background was now fully black (icons could be seen tho) and there was a big red message that I was in danger (or something like that) from Spyware etc...and it offered a link to a place where i could get some protection software. Very disturbing to be hijacked so blatantly.

Anyway, I decided to get/run some spyware/adware programs but not thru the link that I was so kindly provided thru hijacking. I ran downloaded Ad Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, and Adware Away. I then booted to safe mode and ran all four programs. It seemed to clean up the computer nicely but when I rebooted I got this blank background screen.

A few other things to mention. 1) When I try to change the theme/background thru the control panel. It seems that there are no problems but when I apply the changes and toggle back to desktop - still blank. 2) When I right click on the background itself - the background options are dimmed out and when I click on properties I see this (file://C:\WINDOWS\Web\desktop.html) as my location. I also see that the size, created, and modified information are all blank. 3) I also notice that when I shut down my computer, the background I have selected pops up for a second just before shut down. So I know the changes to background were made "somewhere ".

More Background: I was without Anti-Virus protection (couldn't delete or re-install Norton AV) for the longest time. I finally did install EZ Armor and run the AV scan plus I ran Stinger and another AV program - cleaned a few things up but I dont have the details on that at the moment. IF you need that info, let me know. Micro Trend Housecall will also not work for me.

Thanks you for any help!
Staring Blankly,
TMurphyPA

 

To try the easiest thing first, right click on an empty space on the Desktop, point at "Arrange Icons by" and if "Lock Web Items on Desktop" is checked, click on it to uncheck it.

If that doesn't do it, go to Display Properties>Desktop tab>Customize Desktop button>Web tab and remove anything there except "My Current Home Page" and if that's checked, uncheck it, click OK and OK to save any changes.

 

Ok thanks a bunch - the second option worked - the first one didn't even have an arrange icons option. FYI - the only thing in the Web section was an item labeled "Security" which was checked - I unchecked it and deleted it.

Thanks Again