HELP PLEASE...my desktop background has disappeared!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gooner
  • Start date Start date
G

Gooner

Hello..can anyone help me?!

My computer was recently invaded by spyware known as Pest Control. This
spyware bombarded my desktop everytime I logged on and apparently
scanned for viruses. I had never seen or heard of it before and as well
as becoming an annoying feature on my desktop it also removed my
desktop background and replaced it with a blank, black screen. I have
now removed the spyware, permanently I hope, however my desktop
background is still the same -a blank black background. I cannot change
it using Display Properties, as the spyware has somehow deactivated all
the functions apart from customise desktop and colour. Does anyone know
how I can get my desktop background back and how I can activate the
functions on the desktop section of Display Properties. Thanks!
 
Gooner said:
Hello..can anyone help me?!

My computer was recently invaded by spyware known as Pest Control. This
spyware bombarded my desktop everytime I logged on and apparently
scanned for viruses. I had never seen or heard of it before and as well
as becoming an annoying feature on my desktop it also removed my
desktop background and replaced it with a blank, black screen. I have
now removed the spyware, permanently I hope, however my desktop
background is still the same -a blank black background. I cannot change
it using Display Properties, as the spyware has somehow deactivated all
the functions apart from customise desktop and colour. Does anyone know
how I can get my desktop background back and how I can activate the
functions on the desktop section of Display Properties. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Since I don't know how you removed the malware, go through the preparatory
steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

and then the specific steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan

Make sure you do the finishing work from the first link.

If you've already done all that and you are quite sure the machine is clean:

Go to the Display applet in Control Panel and look on the Desktop tab. Click
on Customize Desktop, and then click on the Web tab. You will see that
there are checkmarks next to "My Current Home Page" and probably "Lock
Desktop Items". Uncheck these.

If you can't enable desktop backgrounds after a virus, MVP Kelly Theriot has
a fix. Look under Wallpaper-Desktop-Disable Changing here:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm

If Display tabs are missing, run Kelly's registry edit on line 285,
right-hand side "Restore all display tabs".

Malke
 
hey, thanks for that. I used a program called Windows Defender to
remove the spyware, and I am pretty sure my computer is clean. I tried
your steps using the Display applet on the control panel, however the
"My Current Home Page" and "Lock Desktop Items" were already unchecked
and my "background" still remains the same. What should I try now?
 
Gooner said:
hey, thanks for that. I used a program called Windows Defender to
remove the spyware, and I am pretty sure my computer is clean. I tried
your steps using the Display applet on the control panel, however the
"My Current Home Page" and "Lock Desktop Items" were already unchecked
and my "background" still remains the same. What should I try now?
Click to expand...

I would not count on Windows Defender to remove the Smitfraud trojan. I
would go through the preparatory steps at the link I gave you and then run
the Smitfraud removal tools as suggested.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan

Malke
 
Gooner said:
hey, thanks for that. I used a program called Windows Defender to
remove the spyware, and I am pretty sure my computer is clean. I tried
your steps using the Display applet on the control panel, however the
"My Current Home Page" and "Lock Desktop Items" were already unchecked
and my "background" still remains the same. What should I try now?
Click to expand...


Defender? - it only clears about 65% of database spyware. They have yet to
disclose the size of their database - probably too embarrassed to admit it
is small.
Try a couple of others like Ad-Aware or Spybot and they are not beta.
Between them there is a chance of one getting what another has missed.
Rgds
Antioch
 
What happens when you click the "Customize Desktop" button? Do you get a
General Tab and Web Tab? If so click the Web Tab and then delete any items
in the Web pages box.
 
Trykster said:
I am having the same problem as Gooner. The Spyware that invaded my
computer
was called Spy Marshall. I am using an old Toshiba laptop with Windows
2000.
Anyone know how I can fix the problem?
Click to expand...

Go through the preparatory steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Then do the specific removal steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the link above (not here, please).

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a professional computer repair
shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA). The only alternative to going
through the malware removal tediously and systematically, probably with
online help from an HJT forum, and taking the machine to a real
professional is to back up your data and do a clean install of Windows.
It's your call. Please be aware that not all local shops are skilled at
removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be so infested
that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all your data backed up
before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke
 
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