Madhatter, any other comp wizzes please read...

[USMuscle9403]

Was wondering if you could possibly clue me in on a little problem I'm having with my desktop.

I have no idea what's going on, but it's just gray, and then every so often it turns white and then right back to gray. Images from the net that I try to set as desktops don't do any good, it's still the same. I've run Ad-Aware, SpyBot and Spyware Doctor. These didn't seem to do much for the desktop. Any idea as to what this is and how to go about fixing it? I have Windows XP, BTW.

[threenorns]

turn off Active Desktop:

Start -> Setting -> Control Panel -> Display if you can't right-click it from the desktop.

[USMuscle9403]

OK this is strange. I click on Display and there are no options for the actual desktop, just the screensaver and resolution?

[threenorns]

just on the desktop or in the control panel itself?


try a few registry hacks [insert usual warning about making a system restore point before doing anything and observing all precautions].

first, open regedit (start, run, type REGEDIT).

next, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\System

and:

either delete "NoDispScrSavPage" or modify it to a value of (0)
change background and appearance values to (1)
delete the wallpaper value


here's a couple regfixes that might work:


http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm and scroll down to "Restore All Display Tabs", right-click and save the file, then run it.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm, save and run "Web Tab - Missing"

hope this helps!

[USMuscle9403]

I might as well throw these out there too. I keep ong etting some error messages.

RUNDLL - Error loading newdev.dll
Invalid access to memory location

and...

regedit.exe - Bad Image
The application or DLL C:\Windows\WINMM.dll is not a valid Windows imagnie. Please check this against your installation diskette.

[threenorns]

sounds like a virus infection, but there's a slim chance it's a hardware problem...

found this on the subject:

From a different, known-clean computer with an Internet connection and a
cd burner, get TrendMicro's Sysclean and run it in Safe Mode. Here are
the details:

TrendMicro's Sysclean is an extensive antivirus tool which has the
advantage of not needing to be installed. It requires two parts - the
scanning engine and the virus pattern files. Delete all Temporary and
Temporary Internet Files before running the program.

1. Create a new folder on your Desktop or the C: drive named something
useful like "Sysclean".
2. Go here and download the two parts of the program to that folder:

http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp - Sysclean
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp - virus pattern files

The pattern files will be zipped - extract them with your unzipper (like
WinZip) or if you have XP, you can just open the folder. You need to
put the extracted files in the Sysclean folder you made. For a more
automated way to get Sysclean, use Dave Lipman's Sysclean_FE from
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm .

3. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. Get into Safe Mode by repeatedly
tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up to get to the proper
menu.
4. Go to the Sysclean folder you made and double-click on sysclean.com.
Start the scan. After the scan is finished, look at the log. You may
need to make a note of where any viruses were found if they were not
able to be removed so you can manually delete them.

[Madhatter10-6]

USMuscle9403,

from what i can tell you would be better off to save the files you want to a seperate hard drive or burn them to cd. The reinstall XP using the low level format. This can all be done in about 2 hours and you KNOW that everything is fixed this way. I have litterally spent days trying to fix the probs caused by virus's and have found this to be a much more efffective way to go about it. If you need any software let me know. also, if you aren't exactly sure how to go about doing the low level format I would be more that happy to walk you through the reinstall process.


Madhatter10-6

[rcs6856]

HappyPantyhose is such a gentleman. Always lending a helping hand. I have a big Z written on my bedroom wall in his honor.

[XX]

dude, I love reading your shit...you kill me. You down for atlantic city?

[rcs6856]

That depends - will Miss Kentucky be going down while I'm down in Atlantic City?

[XX]

I dont know, you can ask her if ya like, lol. Should be good times, gambling and gorgeous women-what more can ya ask for??? Happysocker wont have much fun though, cause he sucks at gambling and he's gay so the casinos and women wont do him any good.

[rcs6856]

If my schedule is open, which it always is, I'll make the trip. Just let me know the date. I'm sure we can find something (or someone) for JoyousThighHighs to do.

[XX]

will do, it looks like the pageant was supposed to be in spetember, but since Miss America's ratings have been low lately, ABC or whoever dropped coverage and they are looking for a new carrier so the pageant might be delayed until they find one.

Sniffy know about this yet?

[rcs6856]

I'm sure with Miss Kentucky representing, those ratings will be right back where they belong.

As for Quiffy, he's been pretty busy looking for anyone who will pay him to do just about anything, but I did have a chance to tell him on my way into the gym. He was standing outside holding a sign that read "Will Train You For Food". Not sure if he'll be representing.