Issues with Black desktop (Tried other solutions to no avail)

SwanCo · 12 Jun 2012

I hate to start a new thread and account just for this, but you all have helped me with a lot of my computer problems of late and this one is really bugging me.

I read all I could find on this or other forums on the subject and tried everything but it wont seem to work.

I first noticed I was having issues when my computer refused to change backgrounds in the slideshow I had selected. I was using one of the standard sets of pictures as the background slideshow and it was running flawlessly until Yesterday afternoon when it stuck on a specific picture. At that point I tried changing the desktop to another stock background on the computer and it refused to change from the previous image. I did the same with one of my images thinking maybe there was an issue with the computers images and had no changed results. I then tossed it into high contrast mode and whatnot with zero change. I have flipped between all of the different backgrounds and Theme offered with no results. I Booted (Both shut down + rebooting, and simply restarting) the computer a couple of times and also entered in safe mode. At this point I began looking up solutions. I have tried what was offered on This thread with no success. I also followed the another thread that told me to end explorer.exe and restart it and did so with no success. All of my drivers are up to date, and I tried a couple of other solutions form a couple of other sites all to no avail.

I know it's not a serious problem, it's just a tad frustrating and I'd love some help!

Cheers,
SwanCo

gregrocker · 12 Jun 2012

Try running System Restore to a point before the problem began, if necessary from System Recovery Options.

karlsnooks · 12 Jun 2012

If the system restore does not solve the problem, then:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files on your computer's disk in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support

Upload the four log files please.

MasterCreate66 · 12 Jun 2012

Have you tried looking through your pocesses. Maybye try terminating personal settings and then rebooting your computer.