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View Full Version : Problem with display properties, maybe virus


Reverend
25-Jan-2006, 03:11
After visiting a, ahem, risque site, I am not able to change my desktop wallpaper in the display properties - the options are simply not available/greyed. I checked the registry and even though the relevant entry states a wallpaper of my choice, that wallpaper is not reflected on the desktop. All I can do is change the color of my desktop. All other options are not available in the "Desktop" sheet/tab in display properties.

Could it be that my rundll32.exe is infected? If this is the case, can I replace it with my backup copy? How do I do that? Via safe-mode command prompt?

Thanks.

AlphaWolf
25-Jan-2006, 03:16
Have you tried system restore?

digitalwanderer
25-Jan-2006, 03:17
What browser were you cruising the site in?

Reverend
25-Jan-2006, 03:44
Have you tried system restore?
Unfortunately, I had sys restore turned off when this happened.

Reverend
25-Jan-2006, 03:45
What browser were you cruising the site in?
IE6.

digitalwanderer
25-Jan-2006, 03:56
IE6.
TIP: Always cruise "risque" sites in FF even if you don't use it regularly, these things will happen a lot less.

Not meaning to kick you when you're down, just a friendly bit-o-advice for next time. :)

Sorry to hear about the virus, if I come across anything I'll post it up...I HATE it when stuff like that happens!

Martin Eddy
25-Jan-2006, 07:46
Have you had a look at your group policy settings.
start>run>gpedit.msc to load Group Policy Editor in WinXP.

And just to scare a few people who think there system is secure. (http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/12/circumventing-group-policy-as-limited.html)

Frank
25-Jan-2006, 21:47
Well, let me say it this way: I have been malware-free for over a year now, by sticking to FF exclusively. Recently, I really needed IE for something, and I got the adress wrong. BAM! Lots of nasty stuff had invaded my PC in the blink of an eye...

And I have the latest version, SP2 and whatever installed...

digitalwanderer
25-Jan-2006, 21:54
Well, let me say it this way: I have been malware-free for over a year now, by sticking to FF exclusively. Recently, I really needed IE for something, and I got the adress wrong. BAM! Lots of nasty stuff had invaded my PC in the blink of an eye...

And I have the latest version, SP2 and whatever installed...
I used IE for the first time in I can't remember how long yesterday and it just made me feel all icky! :???:

Reverend
26-Jan-2006, 04:40
Thanks to all that tried to help. I found the solution (http://www.msusenet.co.uk/cannot-change-desktop-pic-vt42253.html). I further found out that it wasn't a virus but some really clever spy/malware, which I cleaned with ewido.