Can't change generic blue screen background after fixing spyware issue

I am frustrated, a couple of weeks ago I had some spyware/virus problems. Installed a spyware program that fixed the problem. Spyware installed a blue background telling me that there was a problem with my computer. The message went away with the virus but the blue background stayed. When the computer shuts down or starts up the pre-virus background can be seen but when the computer is ready for use only the blue background can be seen. I have tried changing the background to many other images to no success. Also, if I go to properties and the display option (which is the normal way to change the background) the various options for background are not available. I can see them but I cannot click on one. The preview is just a white screen. Please help, I have tried everything I can think of but I am not very knowledgeable. Thank you.

 

Right click on your desktop, click properties>desktop and then click the customize desktop button. Click the web tab and uncheck the box next to any items in the box under web page. Also, uncheck the line that says "lock desktop items" if it happens to be checked.

If this is the problem you can delete the item by clicking on it in the list and then clicking the delete button.

 

thanks but that did not work

there was nothing checked in the box and it was not checked in the 'locked' box.

 

Right click on the desktop>arrange icons by and make sure lock web items on desktop isn't checked. It shouldn't be if it's not in the other place but it can't hurt to check it out.

What's the name of the spyware program you used? Are you saying that program installed this wallpaper or did it come with the spyware you were trying to get rid of? Do you know what the name of the spyware was?

 

I currently have webroot antispyware but I also used microsoft's free antispyware before I bought webroot (I have uninstalled the MS antispyware after buying webroot).

I don't remember what was the exact name of the spyware but it was acting like it was helping me by telling me I had spyware installed on my computer, the message was in a box and had the blue background that I cannot take off. This 'helpful' message was installed bythe spyware program, the actual message went away with the antispyware program but the blue screen did not.

The recommendation did not work, the icons aren't locked or anything.

 

Right Click My Computer->Properties->Advanced->Performance Settings->Adjust for best performance->Apply->ok.

Now try changing the background image or desktop colours.

 

It changed the appearance of windows but did not fix the problem, thanks though.

 

Try these.

Change Your Desktop Background

To change your desktop background

 

I don't think that's enrrod's problem Whiskeyman. The problem is it can't be changed. When the computer shuts down the picture that's selected is shown momentarily. This is ordinarily caused by the web setting thing I mentioned.

enrrod
If you're sure there's nothing there that's checked, I don't know what to say. Did you try my second suggestion?

Try running msconfig (start>run>msconfig) and on the startup tab disable everything except your antivirus and firewall. Then either restart your computer or log off and back on and see if the pic is still there. If not, re-enable some of the startups in msconfig and log off again. Keep doing this until you find what's causing it. Either way, post back and let us know what you find.

 

Ok, it took me a couple of days to try various options wit the msconfig screen but it did not work. I disabled every program I could but the issue continued. Someone mentioned starting up in safe mode and changing the display there but the cpu asks for a password that I don't have in order to log into safe mode.

I am starting to think that the antivirus/antispyware deleted or quaranteened a file that allows the wallpaper to be seen or somehow controls the annoying blue screen. I have almost given up hope.

 

Try SmitRem from this site.

Read last paragraph "Upon reboot, you can reset your desktop background. Note: XP users using the XP theme may ex-perience a change to the Classic Windows theme. This can be changed on the themes tab of
desktop properties. "


http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/



Edit "Can't log into safe mode." I missed that. The only of way that fix works.