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Question

Cannot access desktop background - black behind icons

May 5, 2012 1:28AM PDT

When I start up my computer, the desktop background is black. I did some antivirus searches, McAfee, Malwarebytes and nothing came up. Then I went into the control panel. When I open 'choose a desktop background', the screen below the Windows wallpaper is blank. If I run my mouse over where the images should be, a light blue square is shown along with the name of the image, like 'HP Radiance' along with its properties. When I click on a light blue box then click okay, there is still no picture on the wallpaper. The only thing I'm able to do with the wallpaper is to choose a solid color. Any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
now I can't double click on my desktop icons
May 5, 2012 1:30AM PDT

I see the icons on my desktop. The background is black. I tried to change the theme and when I click on windows vista as a choice, I can see the color and design in the dialog box. When I click okay, my entire screen goes black and white and I get a message to please wait. Then I can click apply - but my desktop is still black.
Now when I double click on any icons on my screen, nothing happens. I have to go into my start menu to access things. I tried a system restore to about 2 weeks back and there was no positive change.

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(NT) Have you tried a new user account?
May 5, 2012 9:22AM PDT