Resolved No Desktop / Screensaver

Hi there, my best wishes for the holidays to all.

I'm running Windows XP with sp3 on a rebuilt eMachines T3393 that was given me a year ago. I do a lot of art and photography with my PC and have always changed the "Desktop" or "Screensaver" image frequently, with never a problem. Today I selected a particular picture and clicked on "Set as desktop background" in the "Picture Tasks" window and got a blank grey screen for my efforts. I tried this again with three separate images from three separate folders and got the same thing.

If this will help: I use the latest Firefox for my browser with AdBlock Plus; I have Malwarebytes' AntiMalware and Windows Defender for protection against viruses et al; I regularly clean out the garbage with an older version of CyberScrub (4.6 in fact); and on the rare occasions that I think I might have an infection I download and run Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) at full scan ~ has never found anything though.

The only untoward thing that I've had happen on occasion is that if I click on something that requires Windows Explorer - to open a file, shut off the computer - I'll get an error report saying that it crashed. This happens once or twice a week and I'm on the computer an average of 6 - 8 hours each day, shutting it off when I'm done.

 

It's Roy again, I just ran CyberScrub and rebooted and lo and behold, I now have a Desktop / Screensaver image. Since I made the initial post I'd had a thought: I got two external hardrives for the holidays, one @ 60 GB capacity and the other @ 320 GB capacity. Neither one has its own power source; I have them plugged into the PC through a USB 2.0 multiple-device unit which is not powered, that is, the external hard drives are drawing their power from the PC. Both of them have the double USB male plug to ensure that the drives are properly powered and both are connected in this manner. Would this possibly be making too much of a power drain on my computer and thus cause this weirdness?

 

In a word, yes. If the extra USB connector is connected to an un-powered USB hub, they are still running the data and power from the one USB port on the computer.

You will need to connect it to the computer directly or get a self-powered hub.

 

Thank you for the reply, mattman. I think I could have been a little clearer in my description of my set-up, and I can do it "graphically: "

ExHardDr--->Unpowered multiple USB hub--->Powered hub on PC

The "Unpowered multiple USB hub" can be powered with an AC adapter ( "wall wart ")(which didn't come with it); I'd have to check the manufacturer's website for the specs (which is no problem); but in light of this, do you feel I should get the AC adapter? I appreciate your time and thanks again - and a happy new year to ya!

 

Happy New Year to you too Roy.

I would, those 2.5" drives originally only had a single connector, now they supply the second connector so that the power can be shared across two USB ports. If you use an unpowered hub, any devices attached to the hub will draw power through the hub's connection to the PC. I actually prefer external drives to be self powered, I use 3.5" self-powered drives at home and work and wince when someone asks me to work on their 2.5" drive. They are becoming more popular and I will end up using them sooner or later, but I will still be wary of the power drain on the ports.

Each USB port can only supply a limited amount of power and it is possible to overload them. External drives like those are big power drains because they have to run the motor mechanisms. You have seen some strange problems and you mention the hub yourself, I think your concern is justified.

If it is handy to run through the hub, making it self-powered would be best. [Aside: you can daisy-chain 127 USB devices from one port, I don't think it would work for long if they were all powered through the one port. ] Another option I would offer is to get a PCI USB adapter card. For example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Result=True&SrchInDesc=usb&Page=1&PageSize=20
That would give you more ports to use, but I am not sure if that is what you mean by "hub" on the PC. Although then, you need to remember that power will be supplied through the PCI system on the motherboard and that will also have a limit.

I just suggest to avoid overloading or even possibly burning out your USB system.

Matt
A PS: USB keyboard and mouse should be connected directly to the PC, not through a hub, otherwise you will experience problems.

 

My thanks again, mattman, I am going to take your advice to the bank, as it were, and get the AC adapter for the multiple USB hub that I'm using. Also your comment about hooking the mouse and keyboard directly to the PC's USB ports (I inadvertently called them "hubs" in my last post) is something I'll do as soon as I post this. I would consider this problem resolved and thanks for the help!

 

Good luck with it. Thanks for letting us know.