Solved Cannot change background from solid colour

[JaidynM]

After downloading and installing NVIDIA driver 280.26, my desktop background changed to a solid black. Now I cannot change it to anything other than a solid colour. If I try, it'll just change back.

I did a System Restore to before the driver was installed leading me to think that it wasn't actually the new driver. I'm currently running the sfc/scannow command to see if it fixes anything but in the meantime, has anyone got any ideas?

 

[alphanumeric]

You may have to run your WEI again after updating your graphics driver. It sounds lame but I've seen it fix graphics related problems like Aero not working etc, after updating drivers.

 

[seavixen32]

^^^^ +1

Other than that Jaidyn, did you either uninstall the old driver first or were you given the chance to carry out a clean install?

Certainly, when I updated my NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 graphics card, it offered a clean install, which automatically uninstalled the old driver first.

 

[JaidynM]

You may have to run your WEI again after updating your graphics driver. It sounds lame but I've seen it fix graphics related problems like Aero not working etc, after updating drivers.

Unfortunately, it didn't work. Does seem quite odd though. Thanks anyway.

^^^^ +1

Other than that Jaidyn, did you either uninstall the old driver first or were you given the chance to carry out a clean install?

Certainly, when I updated my NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 graphics card, it offered a clean install, which automatically uninstalled the old driver first.

Not sure. Just went straight through with the usual custom install. Checked everything and continued. In any case, System Restore should've removed the new driver completely so it can't have been the update.

Any other ideas?

 

[Britton30]

the nVIDIA clean install often leaves fragments of the old driver behind too. Have your new driver saved. You might try different ones too, new isn't always better. Use Phyxion.net - Driver Sweeper to clean up and reinstall. Use driver Sweeper on each install if you try different drivers.

 

[JaidynM]

the nVIDIA clean install often leaves fragments of the old driver behind too. Have your new driver saved. You might try different ones too, new isn't always better. Use Phyxion.net - Driver Sweeper to clean up and reinstall. Use driver Sweeper on each install if you try different drivers.

I don't normally update my drivers unless it has general good feedback, which v280.26 did. So, I updated. Anyway, I ran DriverSweeper and fully uninstalled all graphic drivers then installed 280.26. Didn't work.

I'm in the process of doing a full system scan with Trend Micro which will be followed by one in Malwarebytes. I'll update after I'm done.

 

[JaidynM]

Well, Trend Micro didn't pick up anything but Malwarebytes picked up 5. Either way, I restarted the computer and the problem persisted.

 

[Britton30]

Well schiznitz. You do click Save Changes after you change the wallpaper, right? Run the sfc /scannow to see if that will fix it.

 

[JaidynM]

Well schiznitz. You do click Save Changes after you change the wallpaper, right? Run the sfc /scannow to see if that will fix it.

I already have. I also searched a bit and one Yahoo! Answers post said to run a CHKDSK. So I did. After 11 hours, it finished but the problem once again persisted.

Any other suggestions?

 

[boohbah]

This wont answer your problem ,but may help your sanity in the meantime try this (option one)....
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

 

[Bill2]

Try the solutions posted here.

Windows 7 Enterprise - Can't change background image, only set as solid color

 

[A Guy]

As a test, if you don't already have Irfanview, download it (it's a great program you'll like anyway). After you install Irfanview, open a wallpaper you'd like with it. On Options tab, select Set as wallpaper> Centered. See if that will set the wallpaper as background. A Guy

 

[Layback Bear]

Go to Start/Pictures/open a picture you like. Left click on it, mines opens in Live Windows live photo. Right click on the picture the option is there (set as desktop background).

 

[JaidynM]

This wont answer your problem ,but may help your sanity in the meantime try this (option one)....
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47294-desktop-background-change-windows-7-starter.html

Thanks, the background is now on the default Aero one. My sanity has returned. I'm unable to see my dock nor Rainmeter though.

Try the solutions posted here.

Windows 7 Enterprise - Can't change background image, only set as solid color

Sorry, none of the solutions worked.

Go to Start/Pictures/open a picture you like. Left click on it, mines opens in Live Windows live photo. Right click on the picture the option is there (set as desktop background).

Nope, doesn't work.

As a test, if you don't already have Irfanview, download it (it's a great program you'll like anyway). After you install Irfanview, open a wallpaper you'd like with it. On Options tab, select Set as wallpaper> Centered. See if that will set the wallpaper as background. A Guy

Last solution I tried and believe it or not, it worked! Thanks a bunch, Bill!

 

[Britton30]

glad someone had a good idea (Bill, a guy).

 

[A Guy]

Glad you at least have your wall back. I always use Irfanview to set my wallpaper (also has option to return to previous wallpaper, helpful when trying out new walls). Doesn't fix your original problem, but let's you go around it. A Guy

 

[Layback Bear]

If I many ask a question. Why is a 3rd party program needed. Why can't it be corrected using Windows 7. I don't use Irfanview and things work here.

 

[boohbah]

After downloading and installing NVIDIA driver 280.26, my desktop background changed to a solid black. Now I cannot change it to anything other than a solid colour. If I try, it'll just change back.

I did a System Restore to before the driver was installed leading me to think that it wasn't actually the new driver. I'm currently running the sfc/scannow command to see if it fixes anything but in the meantime, has anyone got any ideas?

If I many ask a question. Why is a 3rd party program needed. Why can't it be corrected using Windows 7. I don't use Irfanview and things work here.

the reason for the workarounds are because the op /jaidynM cant use windows seven to change the wallpapers for him. hopefully he can get the answer to the original problem soon.

 

[Britton30]

I suspect there are some broken files in Explorer somewhere and a repair or clean install only will fix it.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you both for answering my question.