My computer's desktop background can't be changed.

[thecrecarc]

I recently got a computer infection, of which one of the side effects is that my desktop wallpaper got changed to an advertisement. I ran the usual programs (avast, spybot, superanti spyware, f-secure online scanner, trend housecall, etc.) and cleaned my system. Because of that, I am pretty confident that I got rid of the threats. However, even though the advertisement in my background disappeared, in its place is a blue background. In display properties, the wallpaper selection thing is grayed out.

I also found out that it is possible to change the wallpaper by right clicking a picture and selecting "set as wallpaper". However, the fact I am not able to do so by other means worries and annoys me. Any help?

 

[Azaran]

Sounds like you got nailed by a Smit variant.

http://www.tech-faq.com/smitfraud.shtml

This site should have the steps that'll help you take care of it.

 

[Medea]

Sometimes smitfraud messes with the desktop so try the following:

Control Panel > Display > Desktop tab > Customize Desktop > Web tab
Only thing that should be there is "My Current Home Page" - anything else, delete it.

 

[thecrecarc]

I tried both of the above steps and didnt work 🙁

 

[lxskllr]

Turn off Active Desktop maybe?

 

[thecrecarc]

Nothing so far I tried worked. Any help here?