When I booted my Vista Business laptop this morning the wallpaper had gone
black. I used to use a pic from my Pictures folder as my background. Now I
can no longer access picture files or thumbnails through the Desktop
Background applet in Control Panel. When I try to browse to the Pictures
folder it appears empty. When I mouse over the contents, I get blank
transparent boxes with the picture names, instead of thumbnails. If I try to
use a Windows background picture, the thumbnails there are pixellated generic
icons. The only background I can set is Solid Colour. I can change colours
but that's it. There's no error message when I try to change my wallpaper. My
user account is an Administrator (both domain and local) and I don't use
screen savers. I've already tried the following suggestions from this board
(rebooted after each step):
- Checked Group Policy settings, made sure all items under User
Configuration\Admin. templates\Desktop\Desktop are set to "not configured"
- Checked Ease of Use settings, backgrounds are NOT disabled
- Downloaded and "merged" the "wallpaper enable" reg file from Winhelp
- Downloaded/ran KB Hotfix 934008
- Tried steps in Vista Tutorial on disabling/enabling desktop changes,
including other links to reg hacks (none of which worked).

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Reminiscent of an IconCache problem.

Right click, an Command Prompt shortcut, 'run as administrator'
shutdown Explorer in Task Manager
At the prompt, go to C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local
atrib -h IconCache.db
del IconCache.db
start explorer
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer[/url]
Mark L. Ferguson
..

"Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2958F2EC-C036-42C7-BE37-564AE5F8B010@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> When I booted my Vista Business laptop this morning the wallpaper had gone
> black. I used to use a pic from my Pictures folder as my background. Now I
> can no longer access picture files or thumbnails through the Desktop
> Background applet in Control Panel. When I try to browse to the Pictures
> folder it appears empty. When I mouse over the contents, I get blank
> transparent boxes with the picture names, instead of thumbnails. If I try
> to
> use a Windows background picture, the thumbnails there are pixellated
> generic
> icons. The only background I can set is Solid Colour. I can change colours
> but that's it. There's no error message when I try to change my wallpaper.
> My
> user account is an Administrator (both domain and local) and I don't use
> screen savers. I've already tried the following suggestions from this
> board
> (rebooted after each step):
> - Checked Group Policy settings, made sure all items under User
> Configuration\Admin. templates\Desktop\Desktop are set to "not configured"
> - Checked Ease of Use settings, backgrounds are NOT disabled
> - Downloaded and "merged" the "wallpaper enable" reg file from Winhelp
> - Downloaded/ran KB Hotfix 934008
> - Tried steps in Vista Tutorial on disabling/enabling desktop changes,
> including other links to reg hacks (none of which worked).
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks,[/color]

Hello Catti,

Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via Personalization,
Display Settings.

"Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2958F2EC-C036-42C7-BE37-564AE5F8B010@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> When I booted my Vista Business laptop this morning the wallpaper had gone
> black. I used to use a pic from my Pictures folder as my background. Now I
> can no longer access picture files or thumbnails through the Desktop
> Background applet in Control Panel. When I try to browse to the Pictures
> folder it appears empty. When I mouse over the contents, I get blank
> transparent boxes with the picture names, instead of thumbnails. If I try
> to
> use a Windows background picture, the thumbnails there are pixellated
> generic
> icons. The only background I can set is Solid Colour. I can change colours
> but that's it. There's no error message when I try to change my wallpaper.
> My
> user account is an Administrator (both domain and local) and I don't use
> screen savers. I've already tried the following suggestions from this
> board
> (rebooted after each step):
> - Checked Group Policy settings, made sure all items under User
> Configuration\Admin. templates\Desktop\Desktop are set to "not configured"
> - Checked Ease of Use settings, backgrounds are NOT disabled
> - Downloaded and "merged" the "wallpaper enable" reg file from Winhelp
> - Downloaded/ran KB Hotfix 934008
> - Tried steps in Vista Tutorial on disabling/enabling desktop changes,
> including other links to reg hacks (none of which worked).
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks,[/color]

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Sorry, didn't work, no change whatsoever.
I went to the location you specified in cmd and ran "attrib -h IconCache.db"
I was unclear on your direction to close Explorer in Task Manager. I assume
you meant the explorer.exe process? It didn't appear in the Programs tab.
Anyway, I closed the explorer.exe process before running attrib and del on
IconCache.db.

If you meant something else, please let me know.

In the meantime I'll try a System Restore as a last resort.


"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Reminiscent of an IconCache problem.
>
> Right click, an Command Prompt shortcut, 'run as administrator'
> shutdown Explorer in Task Manager
> At the prompt, go to C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local
> atrib -h IconCache.db
> del IconCache.db
> start explorer[/color]

Display settings were the first thing I checked, they're at 32-bit. I even
tried deleting the Pictures folder where I was storing the pics I was using
for wallpaper (under my user account) and recreating it, then copying the
pics back into the folder. Now I can't even view them as thumbnails in
Windows Explorer, I just get clear box icons. I can still view picture
thumbnails in other folders in Win Explorer. I still get the messed-up icons
when I try to access the Windows desktop pics as well.

I tried a System Restore - "Unspecified error" and it failed. Even when I
tried to undo, Unspecified error again. The only other thing I can think of
is nuke and pave, reinstall the OS, but since it's taken me nearly a month to
tweak this crappy OS so I can use it for my work.

I'm going home to my mac OSX now. It hasn't crashed or bugged once since I
installed it in 2005. And that's the OS that M$ tried (and failed miserably)
to copy with Vista. While I'm on there I'll be signing that petition online
asking MS to keep supporting XP. My company sure won't be adopting Vista any
time soon, thanks to the results of my testing so far.

Thanks anyway...

"Jane C" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hello Catti,
>
> Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via Personalization,
> Display Settings.[/color]

Try System Restore in Safe Mode.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to so
that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
[url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]

"Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EE702C3B-4DCF-4492-9659-11280858472B@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Display settings were the first thing I checked, they're at 32-bit. I even
> tried deleting the Pictures folder where I was storing the pics I was
> using
> for wallpaper (under my user account) and recreating it, then copying the
> pics back into the folder. Now I can't even view them as thumbnails in
> Windows Explorer, I just get clear box icons. I can still view picture
> thumbnails in other folders in Win Explorer. I still get the messed-up
> icons
> when I try to access the Windows desktop pics as well.
>
> I tried a System Restore - "Unspecified error" and it failed. Even when I
> tried to undo, Unspecified error again. The only other thing I can think
> of
> is nuke and pave, reinstall the OS, but since it's taken me nearly a month
> to
> tweak this crappy OS so I can use it for my work.
>
> I'm going home to my mac OSX now. It hasn't crashed or bugged once since I
> installed it in 2005. And that's the OS that M$ tried (and failed
> miserably)
> to copy with Vista. While I'm on there I'll be signing that petition
> online
> asking MS to keep supporting XP. My company sure won't be adopting Vista
> any
> time soon, thanks to the results of my testing so far.
>
> Thanks anyway...
>
> "Jane C" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hello Catti,
>>
>> Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via Personalization,
>> Display Settings.[/color]
>[/color]

I have the same problem and posted the thread below on 3/31 and no one
responded. As you will notice my post contains screenshots showing the
picture thumbnails missing. System restore is diabled on my PC so it is not
an option. Any ideas for me?

I know there have been many posts about this issue and I have followed all of
the threads and none of them have fixed my problem. I am running Business
Edition and installed SP1 on 3/26 and the problem started yesterday 3/30. I
have looked in the registry for the entries that appear to cause the problem
and they are not there. I also ran the wallpaper_enable.reg file and I do not
see the entries then either. This computer is on a domain so maybe the
policies are not the same in the registry? When I open the desktop background
dialog the thumbnails for the wallpapers are not shown. Another thing that
started happening at the same time is when I look in my, my pictures folder I
do not see the thumbnails in there. I can see the file names and I can open
the pictures but I cannot see the thumbnails unless I change the view. After
I change the view I can change it to any other view and see them ok. If I
hover over where the thumbnails should be it turns blue so I know it is
there. I am posting a couple of links below that are screenshots of what I
see. Thanks in advance for any help.

[url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/wallpaper.jpg[/url]
[url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/pictures.jpg[/url]


"Bob" wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Try System Restore in Safe Mode.
> -------
> *Report back, please*
> [When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to so
> that others may learn and benefit from the issue]
>
> [How to ask a question]
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]
>
> "Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EE702C3B-4DCF-4492-9659-11280858472B@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > Display settings were the first thing I checked, they're at 32-bit. I even
> > tried deleting the Pictures folder where I was storing the pics I was
> > using
> > for wallpaper (under my user account) and recreating it, then copying the
> > pics back into the folder. Now I can't even view them as thumbnails in
> > Windows Explorer, I just get clear box icons. I can still view picture
> > thumbnails in other folders in Win Explorer. I still get the messed-up
> > icons
> > when I try to access the Windows desktop pics as well.
> >
> > I tried a System Restore - "Unspecified error" and it failed. Even when I
> > tried to undo, Unspecified error again. The only other thing I can think
> > of
> > is nuke and pave, reinstall the OS, but since it's taken me nearly a month
> > to
> > tweak this crappy OS so I can use it for my work.
> >
> > I'm going home to my mac OSX now. It hasn't crashed or bugged once since I
> > installed it in 2005. And that's the OS that M$ tried (and failed
> > miserably)
> > to copy with Vista. While I'm on there I'll be signing that petition
> > online
> > asking MS to keep supporting XP. My company sure won't be adopting Vista
> > any
> > time soon, thanks to the results of my testing so far.
> >
> > Thanks anyway...
> >
> > "Jane C" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Hello Catti,
> >>
> >> Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via Personalization,
> >> Display Settings.[/color]
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

Run sfc /scannow.

If no joy:

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer, it
is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon before the
problem began.
[url]http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm[/url]
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
[url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315[/url]
[url]http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware[/url]
[url]http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm[/url]
[url]http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html[/url]
[url]http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm[/url]
[url]http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php[/url]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
[url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315[/url]

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
[url]http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971[/url]

Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is
being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to so
that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
[url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]

"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:343A4B01-7767-4BA7-B782-D18556890340@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
>I have the same problem and posted the thread below on 3/31 and no one
> responded. As you will notice my post contains screenshots showing the
> picture thumbnails missing. System restore is diabled on my PC so it is
> not
> an option. Any ideas for me?
>
> I know there have been many posts about this issue and I have followed all
> of
> the threads and none of them have fixed my problem. I am running Business
> Edition and installed SP1 on 3/26 and the problem started yesterday 3/30.
> I
> have looked in the registry for the entries that appear to cause the
> problem
> and they are not there. I also ran the wallpaper_enable.reg file and I do
> not
> see the entries then either. This computer is on a domain so maybe the
> policies are not the same in the registry? When I open the desktop
> background
> dialog the thumbnails for the wallpapers are not shown. Another thing that
> started happening at the same time is when I look in my, my pictures
> folder I
> do not see the thumbnails in there. I can see the file names and I can
> open
> the pictures but I cannot see the thumbnails unless I change the view.
> After
> I change the view I can change it to any other view and see them ok. If I
> hover over where the thumbnails should be it turns blue so I know it is
> there. I am posting a couple of links below that are screenshots of what I
> see. Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> [url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/wallpaper.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/pictures.jpg[/url]
>
>
> "Bob" wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> Try System Restore in Safe Mode.
>> -------
>> *Report back, please*
>> [When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
>> so
>> that others may learn and benefit from the issue]
>>
>> [How to ask a question]
>> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]
>>
>> "Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:EE702C3B-4DCF-4492-9659-11280858472B@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Display settings were the first thing I checked, they're at 32-bit. I
>> > even
>> > tried deleting the Pictures folder where I was storing the pics I was
>> > using
>> > for wallpaper (under my user account) and recreating it, then copying
>> > the
>> > pics back into the folder. Now I can't even view them as thumbnails in
>> > Windows Explorer, I just get clear box icons. I can still view picture
>> > thumbnails in other folders in Win Explorer. I still get the messed-up
>> > icons
>> > when I try to access the Windows desktop pics as well.
>> >
>> > I tried a System Restore - "Unspecified error" and it failed. Even when
>> > I
>> > tried to undo, Unspecified error again. The only other thing I can
>> > think
>> > of
>> > is nuke and pave, reinstall the OS, but since it's taken me nearly a
>> > month
>> > to
>> > tweak this crappy OS so I can use it for my work.
>> >
>> > I'm going home to my mac OSX now. It hasn't crashed or bugged once
>> > since I
>> > installed it in 2005. And that's the OS that M$ tried (and failed
>> > miserably)
>> > to copy with Vista. While I'm on there I'll be signing that petition
>> > online
>> > asking MS to keep supporting XP. My company sure won't be adopting
>> > Vista
>> > any
>> > time soon, thanks to the results of my testing so far.
>> >
>> > Thanks anyway...
>> >
>> > "Jane C" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello Catti,
>> >>
>> >> Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via
>> >> Personalization,
>> >> Display Settings.
>> >[/color]
>>
>>[/color][/color]

I had already ran sfc and it found nothing wrong. I have ran tons of checks
for viruses and malware and there are none. The only change was installing
SP1. I have uninstalled it, no change, reinstalled it and no change.

"Bob" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Run sfc /scannow.
>
> If no joy:
>
> Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
> Web pages.
> Help with malware:
> All MS-MVP Sites.
> Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer, it
> is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon before the
> problem began.
> [url]http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm[/url]
> Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315[/url]
> [url]http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm[/url]
> [url]http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware[/url]
> [url]http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm[/url]
> [url]http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html[/url]
> [url]http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm[/url]
> [url]http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php[/url]
>
> Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315[/url]
>
> So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
> For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
> whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
> you that you owe it to the author. See also:
> [url]http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971[/url]
>
> Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
> what else is
> being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.
> -------
> *Report back, please*
> [When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to so
> that others may learn and benefit from the issue]
>
> [How to ask a question]
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]
>
> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:343A4B01-7767-4BA7-B782-D18556890340@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> >I have the same problem and posted the thread below on 3/31 and no one
> > responded. As you will notice my post contains screenshots showing the
> > picture thumbnails missing. System restore is diabled on my PC so it is
> > not
> > an option. Any ideas for me?
> >
> > I know there have been many posts about this issue and I have followed all
> > of
> > the threads and none of them have fixed my problem. I am running Business
> > Edition and installed SP1 on 3/26 and the problem started yesterday 3/30.
> > I
> > have looked in the registry for the entries that appear to cause the
> > problem
> > and they are not there. I also ran the wallpaper_enable.reg file and I do
> > not
> > see the entries then either. This computer is on a domain so maybe the
> > policies are not the same in the registry? When I open the desktop
> > background
> > dialog the thumbnails for the wallpapers are not shown. Another thing that
> > started happening at the same time is when I look in my, my pictures
> > folder I
> > do not see the thumbnails in there. I can see the file names and I can
> > open
> > the pictures but I cannot see the thumbnails unless I change the view.
> > After
> > I change the view I can change it to any other view and see them ok. If I
> > hover over where the thumbnails should be it turns blue so I know it is
> > there. I am posting a couple of links below that are screenshots of what I
> > see. Thanks in advance for any help.
> >
> > [url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/wallpaper.jpg[/url]
> > [url]http://sportcompactcentral.com/pictures.jpg[/url]
> >
> >
> > "Bob" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Try System Restore in Safe Mode.
> >> -------
> >> *Report back, please*
> >> [When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to
> >> so
> >> that others may learn and benefit from the issue]
> >>
> >> [How to ask a question]
> >> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375[/url]
> >>
> >> "Catti" <Catti@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:EE702C3B-4DCF-4492-9659-11280858472B@microsoft.com...
> >> > Display settings were the first thing I checked, they're at 32-bit. I
> >> > even
> >> > tried deleting the Pictures folder where I was storing the pics I was
> >> > using
> >> > for wallpaper (under my user account) and recreating it, then copying
> >> > the
> >> > pics back into the folder. Now I can't even view them as thumbnails in
> >> > Windows Explorer, I just get clear box icons. I can still view picture
> >> > thumbnails in other folders in Win Explorer. I still get the messed-up
> >> > icons
> >> > when I try to access the Windows desktop pics as well.
> >> >
> >> > I tried a System Restore - "Unspecified error" and it failed. Even when
> >> > I
> >> > tried to undo, Unspecified error again. The only other thing I can
> >> > think
> >> > of
> >> > is nuke and pave, reinstall the OS, but since it's taken me nearly a
> >> > month
> >> > to
> >> > tweak this crappy OS so I can use it for my work.
> >> >
> >> > I'm going home to my mac OSX now. It hasn't crashed or bugged once
> >> > since I
> >> > installed it in 2005. And that's the OS that M$ tried (and failed
> >> > miserably)
> >> > to copy with Vista. While I'm on there I'll be signing that petition
> >> > online
> >> > asking MS to keep supporting XP. My company sure won't be adopting
> >> > Vista
> >> > any
> >> > time soon, thanks to the results of my testing so far.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks anyway...
> >> >
> >> > "Jane C" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hello Catti,
> >> >>
> >> >> Check that you have the colour depth set to 32 bit via
> >> >> Personalization,
> >> >> Display Settings.
> >> >
> >>
> >>[/color][/color]
>
>[/color]

No worries, Chris. I spoke too soon when I said SR fixed the problem. I just
wasted half the morning here at work dicking around trying to log in to our
domain, the domain and local user account passwords didn't match, and it's
impossible to reset the local user account password in this crappy O/S
without a "password reset disk" - which it won't allow you to create without
logging on.

Now my user profile is fried, I've had to create a new one, then reconfigure
this thing (again) just so I can do my work, and reinstall half of my
programs as well.

My colleague is laughing at me for taking on this OS to evaluate. He was
going to buy a Vista laptop for home use, now he's getting a macbook. Me too.

And I've already contacted our reseller to buy another copy of XP Pro to put
on this thing. Either that or I'll be evaluating Debian next...


"Chris" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Catti,
>
> SR is disabled so that will not do me any good. I have another laptop on its
> way so I will not have to worry about this. It would be nice though to know a
> fix other than having to use SR.
>[/color]

Catti wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> No worries, Chris. I spoke too soon when I said SR fixed the problem. I
> just wasted half the morning here at work dicking around trying to log in
> to our domain, the domain and local user account passwords didn't match,
> and it's impossible to reset the local user account password in this
> crappy O/S without a "password reset disk" - which it won't allow you to
> create without logging on.
>
> Now my user profile is fried, I've had to create a new one, then
> reconfigure this thing (again) just so I can do my work, and reinstall
> half of my programs as well.
>
> My colleague is laughing at me for taking on this OS to evaluate. He was
> going to buy a Vista laptop for home use, now he's getting a macbook. Me
> too.
>
> And I've already contacted our reseller to buy another copy of XP Pro to
> put on this thing. Either that or I'll be evaluating Debian next...
>[/color]
I think you'll find Ubuntu easier than Debian if this is your first
excursion into the GNU/Linux world.

[url]http://www.ubuntu.com[/url]

Cheers.
[color=blue]
>
> "Chris" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Catti,
>>
>> SR is disabled so that will not do me any good. I have another laptop on
>> its way so I will not have to worry about this. It would be nice though
>> to know a fix other than having to use SR.
>>[/color][/color]

--

"Linux is a very complete and sophisticated operating system. And there is a
lot of work being done to improve it in and of itself, particularly to make
it easier to use and easier for people to set up on their personal
computers."

--Paul Maritz, senior vice-president of platforms and applications,
Microsoft

Latest Patch for MS Word ...
[url]http://tinyurl.com/2cpbev[/url]

How to get help at Microsoft Support ...
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C2SIZ5qsSQ[/url]