Quote:For some reason, every time I modify any of the desktop settings on my Dimension 9150 (appearance of Start menu, Wallpaper colour etc.) they have defaulted back to the XP classic theme the next time I reboot.
Check the obvious first. When you make these changes, do you click Apply then OK? If so, are you logged on as the administrator or are you using a limited account? Lastly, do you reboot the computer immediately after making changes. If not, you should. System configuration changes need to be properly recorded to the disk in order to be saved. The best way to do that is to reboot immediately after making such changes so as to prevent any loss of the "change" data. ...
Does anybody have any ideas?
I have a couple, as noted above, but this behavior can also result from two different things: 1) Malicious Software 2) Protective Software.
It's annoying, but also probably indicative of something more sinister going on in the bowels of the Windows Registry."
Perhaps...but the only way to be certain of that is to post a HijackThis log here. ...
I have since noticed that desktop settings are not the only ones to default back to their original state...
This can result from either one of the 2 items listed above
Do you have any of the following Protective Software running?:
Ad-Aware Ad-Watch
Spybot Search and Destroy (only if you're using the Administrative Lock down feature or "Tea Timer" that is available in the "Advanced" menu view)
WebRoot Spysweeper
Spyware Doctor
Spyware Guard
...or any other protective software like those?
With respect to your Theme not sticking, I had the opposite problem: every time I changed to the
Classic style, it would revert to the
XP style on reboot. I finally solved this by going into Services(Local) and changing the Startup Type of "Themes" from
Automatic to
Manual. I suggest you do the opposite:
1) Start>Run>type
services.msc in the box>OK to open the Services window.
2) Scroll down and right-click on
Themes>left-click on
Properties 3) In the
Themes Properties window, make sure the
Startup Type is set to
Automatic in the dropdown box>apply>OK out.
4) Now modify your Desktop Display properties settings as desired
5) Reboot.
The service for "Themes" is set to startup automatically by default. As long as he made no changes from his original settings, he should leave this alone.
Quote: I finally solved this by going into Services(Local) and changing the Startup Type of "Themes" from Automatic to Manual. I suggest you do the opposite
...which would mean to change it TO automatic and of course that would not be necessary since it's set to automatic by default.
Dear all,
Thank you for your help with this matter... it is appreciated.
I do not have a virus, no Trojan is lurking in the shadows, and I am properly 'managing' my McAfee Security Suite such that it is a help and not a hinderance. My themes service is running as God intended.
I think my other 'symptoms' are important - the fact that my Logitech keyboard / mouse do not retain their customization, I cannot store site profiles (login, password) in DreamWeaver etc.
My intention was definitely not to have you all arguing amongst yourselves... but if the problem is solved in the process, then I shan't complain!
Thank you all again...
Don't know if I am late with this suggestion but this how I fixed my XPS with the same problem. Click on run then type in services.msc hit enter. On the opening screen scroll down to Themes and right click then properties and change the start up type to manual. Click apply close all windows and reboot. This the only way I could get my desktop settings/appearances to maintain my settings.
1972vet
3.3K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 16:00
Check the obvious first. When you make these changes, do you click Apply then OK? If so, are you logged on as the administrator or are you using a limited account? Lastly, do you reboot the computer immediately after making changes. If not, you should. System configuration changes need to be properly recorded to the disk in order to be saved. The best way to do that is to reboot immediately after making such changes so as to prevent any loss of the "change" data.
...
Does anybody have any ideas?
I have a couple, as noted above, but this behavior can also result from two different things:
1) Malicious Software
2) Protective Software.
It's annoying, but also probably indicative of something more sinister going on in the bowels of the Windows Registry."
Perhaps...but the only way to be certain of that is to post a
HijackThis log here.
...
I have since noticed that desktop settings are not the only ones to default back to their original state...
This can result from either one of the 2 items listed above
Do you have any of the following Protective Software running?:
Ad-Aware Ad-Watch
Spybot Search and Destroy (only if you're using the Administrative Lock down feature or "Tea Timer" that is available in the "Advanced" menu view)
WebRoot Spysweeper
Spyware Doctor
Spyware Guard
...or any other protective software like those?
joe53
2 Intern
•
5.8K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 20:00
With respect to your Theme not sticking, I had the opposite problem: every time I changed to the Classic style, it would revert to the XP style on reboot. I finally solved this by going into Services(Local) and changing the Startup Type of "Themes" from Automatic to Manual. I suggest you do the opposite:
2) Scroll down and right-click on Themes>left-click on Properties
3) In the Themes Properties window, make sure the Startup Type is set to Automatic in the dropdown box>apply>OK out.
4) Now modify your Desktop Display properties settings as desired
5) Reboot.
1972vet
3.3K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 20:00
joe53
2 Intern
•
5.8K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 21:00
1972vet:
I'm just reporting what worked for me. I have suggested nothing dangerous nor irreversible, and it seems like something worth checking.
1972vet
3.3K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 22:00
I finally solved this by going into Services(Local) and changing the Startup Type of "Themes" from Automatic to Manual. I suggest you do the opposite
...which would mean to change it TO automatic and of course that would not be necessary since it's set to automatic by default.
joe53
2 Intern
•
5.8K Posts
0
August 8th, 2006 23:00
Rather than engage in pedantic arguments with others, I will rephrase my previous suggestion:
1) The problem you are experiencing may be due to a change in the default setting of your Themes service. See:
http://www.jsifaq.com/SF/Tips/Tip.aspx?id=8594
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/1051285869?s
2) To rule this out as a cause, check the setting as described.
3) If the Themes setting is not set to Automatic, reset it as described above.
4) Let us know what you find.
Josh Ord-Hume
14 Posts
0
August 9th, 2006 05:00
Thank you for your help with this matter... it is appreciated.
I do not have a virus, no Trojan is lurking in the shadows, and I am properly 'managing' my McAfee Security Suite such that it is a help and not a hinderance. My themes service is running as God intended.
I think my other 'symptoms' are important - the fact that my Logitech keyboard / mouse do not retain their customization, I cannot store site profiles (login, password) in DreamWeaver etc.
My intention was definitely not to have you all arguing amongst yourselves... but if the problem is solved in the process, then I shan't complain!
Thank you all again...
Josh
joe53
2 Intern
•
5.8K Posts
0
August 9th, 2006 23:00
Sorry that didn't pan out, Josh.
You might want to try the following MS article which seems to address the display problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555512
(I note it also contains my original advice, but with further changes to try first)
thurmont
83 Posts
0
January 12th, 2007 21:00