I am experiencing a problem with my desktop COMPUTER (dell, win XP home ed).
A new wallpaper is "stuck" on my desktop and I cannot change it any more.  When i restart my PC, the old wallpaper shows for a second, then a new simple blue wallpaper takes over.  When I try to modify it (display properties/desktop) it is frozen.  I cannot browse, or select a different picture.  I tried every method i can think of, but nothing unlocks it.   Does anyone have any solutions or have experienced this before?
Many thanks.

billOpen up your Display Properties window.

On the Themes tab, select Modified Theme.  Save your changes.  Now try to change your desktop image.i tried that....no go.   still won't work.     any other suggestions would be most appreciated, though, as i've run out of ideas.   thank you for your time....it is appreciated.Do you have Active Desktop enabled ? ?
If so disable it and try again...i can't do anything with the desktop....it is totally locked up.    Try safemode...
What type of protection programs are you running and when is the last time you updated/scanned ? ?i am running windows XP/home ed.    i use cox security suite for my anti VIRUS and anti spyware.....i cleaned the registry.   i have tried the safe mode.   i am at a stinking loss as to what to try next.   almost ready to just chuck it all and accept the fact there is no fix.
thank you all for the suggestions.    appreciate your taking the time.

billWhat did you use to "clean" the registry ? ?
Can you do a system restore back to an earlier date ? ?for whatever reason, the system restore will not work....i've tried it several times , using several different restore points.   another headache.
i used  commercial registry cleaner....forgot the NAME....some generic thing......it was never a part of the problem...i installed it in hopes that it might help...  no go.   bout to throw in the towel.
thanks for your time, though.In safemode go to Start / Run and type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter...have your Windows XP CD handy as it will ask for it....let it run til it finishes and re-boot.
Post your results.You do have a real Windows CD (as opposed to a restore CD)?hello! i am having the same exact problem! i cant change anything on my backgroud except the color? i used to have a pic and now its gone until i shut down, then for a brief second its there, but when i turn the pc back on, its not there anymore, settings are WHITED out and will not change, like the author of this thread i tried a system restore but i cant do it? its been like this a few months, everything else works fine, just  no background!  i have windows xp on a compaq presario!  any help will be much app!!   thanks.John in future it's best to start your own thread so it can recieve the proper ATTENTION...
You can start by updating and running all your malware scans.
Then post back with a list of what you ran and what was found...i did put this in a new thread, but when i saw someone with the same problem i just had to put it here too.   whats a malware scan? i have a adaware program..You need more than that...

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