Solved Win 7 64bit prof. can only personalize two backgrounds not others

[SteveKG]

I am running windows 7 64bit professional. I typically change my desktop background seasonally. Went to switch from Spring to Summer and it failed - desktop background would not change. Clicked on Windows 7 default screen and that worked. Clicked on my Spring background and it also worked. Clicked on all my other backgrounds and no change. I have read and followed EVERY suggestion I can find via Google searches and none of them work; system restore, service.msc, transparency enabled check, sfc /scannow (4 times), Malicious Software Removal Tool, updated all my drivers, tried to do a repair from my installation DVD but the system said it couldn't recognize the DVD (don't ask my why, it its the same one I installed Win 7 with)! I have tried every single suggestion out there... all to no avail. I am at a loss. I have no idea why I can change 2 background images, but not any of the other ones that I used to change all the time. Oh, and a full re-install is not an option as the customization and program re-installs would take me months to remember how I did them in the first place and re-create them... especially all my custom icons. Help. Please.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

download and run KB947821 from the MS catalog

 

[SteveKG]

Thanks, Torchwood.
I'll Let you know how it plays out. Regardless of the outcome, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to respond!

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Hi Torchwood,
Here are the results of running KB947821:
Summary:
Seconds executed: 557
Found 605 errors
Fixed 605 errors
CSI Payload File Missing Total count: 552
Fixed: CSI Payload File Missing. Total count: 552
CSI Store Directory Missing Total count: 53
Fixed: CSI Store Directory Missing. Total count: 53

My Personalize problem remains unchanged. However, with these errors fixed, perhaps an Installation Disk Repair might now work where as before it gagged on recognizing it as the original install disk. Worth a try. I appreciate your help.

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Tried to run Repair from my Installation Disk:

I received the following message:

I'm at a loss to understand as this IS my Installation Disc.
I'm beginning to suspect that my only option is to re-install Windows 7 on a larger hard drive and suffer through the months of re-installing all my programs and custom icons, etc. Not looking forward to that at all. Hopefully, additional suggestions will get posted. And yes, I also tried deleting the TranscodedWallpaper.jpg file.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

unusually high number of errors that it fixed, can you rerun sfc/scannow.

any chance you could run/post this, please ignore the title it provides a wealth of info
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions

 

[SteveKG]

Hello back,
I will run scannow and delve into the link you suggest. Today being Mother's Day it will likely have to be tomorrow to do it.
Again, I totally appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions!! If you have any idea as to why my attempt at an installation repair failed, I will be in your debt. Thanks again, Torchwood. I will post the results when I get them.
-Steve

 

[torchwood]

its possible that SURT(kb947821) repaired what was causing the repair to fail
note should allways run sfc/scannow after the above

please reboot after sfc and then run the BSOD gatherer


Roy

 

[SteveKG]

Roy,
I ran the sfc /scannow and the only files it was unable to repair were 2 Windows Media files: 1) WMPSideShowGadget.exe and 2) Setup_wm.exe.
I rna the BSOD and will upload the zip file.
-Steve

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Please find the BSOD zip file attached below:
TESSERACT-Sun_05_14_2023_210748_08.zip

 

[torchwood]

Steve,

we need to check your disk....bad blocks reported
1) standard MS option chkdsk /r
2) see you have Samsung Magician please run thier disk status check option

intermmitant errors are showing on your cd rom drive
disk F is also showing paging file errors
please check your Nvidea drivers are upto date
Do not use DriverBooster -- Nvidea home page for that card

Windows media player
Fix & Repair Windows Media Player with Fix WMP Utility

 

[SteveKG]

Roy,
Here is the Chkdsk result for my C drive (Window 7)

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
279040 file records processed.

File verification completed.
1176 large file records processed.

0 bad file records processed.

2 EA records processed.

41 reparse records processed.

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
345678 index entries processed.

Index verification completed.
0 unindexed files scanned.

0 unindexed files recovered.

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
279040 file SDs/SIDs processed.

Cleaning up 112 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 112 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 112 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
33320 data files processed.

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
35514280 USN bytes processed.

Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
279024 files processed.

File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
25363473 free clusters processed.

Free space verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

349447699 KB total disk space.
247485800 KB in 190315 files.
115392 KB in 33321 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
392615 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
101453892 KB available on disk.

The Samsung Magician checked out clean - no problems or errors.

I downloaded the latest Nvidia driver for my GeForce GTX 970 graphics card. However, I am extremely reluctant to load it because past Nvidia driver installs have caused a serious "Green Dot" problem on my display. The process of installing an Nvidia driver update is very extensive and involves a great deal of finagling to get it to work without a Green Dot problem. Years ago, I switched from using the GTX 970 graphics card to using the intel HD Graphics 4600 included in the Core i5 4590 processor so as to completely avoid the Green Dots problem. The GTX 970 card is physically connected to the motherboard via PCI slot, but it is not technically installed nor enabled in the BIOS.

I will check the F disk and the D disk shortly and post the results.
As of this reply I am still unable to change the desktop background to any one other than these 2:




Thanks for all your help, Roy. It is GREATLY appreciated!!
-Steve

 

[torchwood]

Hi Steve,

based on what we've done so far, your OS is in good health

so we have to go into fishing mode

That leaves us with 3rd party program interferrance to user profiles
top of my list are Classic shell and Iconxp, dont know much about either
Ccleaner - do hope you didn't use the Registry cleanup function

i do have other comments
you have a number of programme services set to dissabled
Aomei Pro
Mozilla update... for Seamonkey

No AV
lightest i know of Bitdefender free..
if your not going to use 1 then i suggest you run a couple of one-off scans
Eset and Malwarebytes. (run in scan mode only they WILL flag some of your progs as PUP's)

Nvidea... couple of services still running and ingrained in your >> Variables path DO NOT touch this <<

 

[SteveKG]

Hi Roy,
I agree with your assessment: (3rd party program interference to user profiles), just don't know which one. I think my best approach will be to look at all my programs installed or updated since Jan 1, 2021 and start uninstalling them one at a time until the personalize backgrounds starts working again. As for the Classic Shell and IconFx programs, I have had them installed since my original build in 2017 and my background changes worked fine back then so I suspect they are ok, but will not exclude any programs in my fishing expedition just because I "THINK" they are not the problem.
My reason for having a number of programs disabled at startup is that I do not use them very often and it's easy enough to engage them when needed instead of them hogging space when I'm not using them.
Yes, I am aware of the risk that not having any anti-virus software running poses. The last one I had was bitdefender and it created havoc all the time. The interference was so annoying that I uninstalled it and let windows defender handle things. My internet connection is via Ethernet cable and password protected, cable connected modem. However, I will look into your suggestions for scans.

I don't know how much longer you are willing to consider my problem. Especially since we agree that the source is likely to be program interference. So... if you decide to move on to other problems, let me express to you a HUGE THANK YOU!!! You have advised me on suggestions that I was completely unaware of and have helped me to get my OS into a healthy state. Your expertise has made a gigantic difference. And I will miss speaking with you. If, on the other hand, you decide to stick around... well, my gain.
Either way, Thanks, Roy (Torchwood). Stay safe and take care.
-Steve

 

[SIW2]

Is there a reason you are not using mse ?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=5201

 

[SteveKG]

Good Question! No reason. Downloading now. Thanks for the tip!

 

[torchwood]

Im still fishing,

I cannot check the following on W7 dont have it anymore, and might not be the same as this for w10
please open registry editor and navigate to here
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VirtualDesktops\Desktops


it will list all current available themes, see screenshot.. (my W11)
right hand pane shows my GTgraphics option, left hand pane shows the options within it
if it only lists default and Spring then something has removed the registry key link, (Ccleaner?)
(i dont think its Iconxp as its unlikely its been updated for a while whereas Classic shell likely has)
If it does list multiple option then something is wrong with the default values in the RIGHT hand pane
you will have to compare the working to non working values.


Regarding the dissabled options personally, in your take, i would set them to manual so that they would only be live for that session when called on
of these Aeomi is a different kettle of fish.....no im not an Angler, Any OS has a 2 phase mode - setup and operational
Aeomi, and other imaging programs, introduce changes within the setup phase, (bcd) it creates additional boot entries, whereas the others only hit the operational phase.
Do you have an old backup when the screenchanger option works

and i really appreciate the fact that you ran and provided ALL the requests i madeicnic:

 

[SteveKG]

Thanks, Roy.
I'll get right on it and let you know what I find in the Register. Sounds promising. Hope it works.
And I'll look into the "manual" option. I appreciate the heads up on it.
Talk soon.
-Steve

- - - Updated - - -

Roy,
Just checked the Register. I do not have the Virtual Desktops and the Desktops entries under explorer.
-Steve

 

[torchwood]

Oh silly me

should have looked at Brinks tutorials for Personalisation..

then check the entries under MY/Aero and Basic and High
to Unhide Control Panel >> folder View ..Show hidden

• My Themes is your current theme. These .theme files are located in the hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder.
• Aero Themes are the Windows Aero themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes folder.
• Basic and High Contrast Themes are the Windows 7 Basic, Windows Classic, High Contrast #1, High Contrast #2, High Contrast Black, and High Contrast White themes. They are located in the C:\Windows\Resources\Ease of Access Themes folder.

Theme - Change or Save

 

[SteveKG]

Hi Roy,
Here are the entries in
C:\Users\POPS\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes folder. (Sorry the jpg is so freakin' small). Will post the others shortly.
[TABLE="align: left"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 40"]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

- - - Updated - - -

Here is what I have in Aero Themes:


- - - Updated - - -

Here are the Ease of Access listed themes:


- - - Updated - - -

Thi is what I have loaded into TranscodedWallpaper:

and I have Full Control permission on the file.

- - - Updated - - -

I went into C:\Users\POPS\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes and screen printed TranscodedWallpaper.jpg:

Then changed it to one of the backgrounds that I am unable to save:

When I Restart I get this background:

Then if I try to Personalize, I get the Mountains background again:

Don't know if any of this helps.
I'm giving some serious thought to starting over with larger HDD's, new install of 7 and clone of my D drive (where I keep everything other than Windows) and suffer through the re-building of MBR and indexes, re-loading applications & programs, etc. Not ready to jump off the cliff just yet, but I am giving it some thought. I have a cancer procedure on June 10th which may give me some time to delve into a re-build. Don't know. Just pondering. Anyway, your help is greatly appreciated, Roy!!

 

[erpster4]

I'm giving some serious thought to starting over with larger HDD's, new install of 7 and clone of my D drive (where I keep everything other than Windows) and suffer through the re-building of MBR and indexes, re-loading applications & programs, etc.

why do you need larger HDDs, SteveKG?
how big or large is your existing HDD?

 

[SteveKG]

Hi,
My C drive (Windows 7) is 500GB and 72% full. My D drive (my programs, downloads, videos, and extensive music library) is 1TB and 99% full.
So... kinda leaning towards a 1TB C drive and a 2TB D drive, then clean up and use my older ones as image backups (something I should have done more often in the past, and would not now be in such trouble).

 

[SteveKG]

Although my problem has not been resolved, I am closing out this thread. I want to express my deepest appreciation to Torchwood (Roy) for his outstanding assistance and support. While we weren't able to carve out the root cause, his advice was able to resolve many side issues. I will always be grateful for his constant attention to my problem and his excellent thought process.