hello and thank you my computer has this problem winxp, display properties, browse button is grayed and i can't choose or browse for another background
please help note: i think i might have altered the registry. thanx again

If you are using XP Pro, check in Group Policy (gpedit.msc) under:


User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Display


and explicitly disable 'Prevent changing wallpaper'


In Home or Pro:


If it is enabled, It creates a key named 'ActiveDesktop' under


'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windo*ws\CurrentVersion\P olicies'


This key contains an unamed default value with the value not set, and an additional value named 'NoChangingWallPaper' of type REG_DWORD with a value of 1.


Disabling this setting deletes the 'ActiveDesktop' key.






http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;171437

thank you, but it seems it will not help me for i've already done this and the button is still the same.

Here is a simple try that I've seen work occasionally: (worth a try):

Found a solution to the grayed wallpaper browse button in XP. Just open IE find any picture, right-click it , and choose 'save as background'. This should turn the button back on.

Also bear in mind that this behavior is symptomatic of a Trojan on your machine.
I suggest running Virus/ Trojan scans: here are a couple:

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/hous...start_corp.asp

Plus these detector/ removers:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

thanx for your help jephree, but nothing thus far, i'm very positive this problem is in the registry i think i'll just have to reinstall xp.

i've reinstalled as upgrade and the problem persists. i am however, able to change the wallpaper from an image from the web, but it only shows when login on or off, otherways it only has a solid color on desktop.

Still searching your issue ... although this doesn't make much sence: re: the reinstall: still I thought I'd pass it on: & still looking

This desktop item is most likely set by a trojan/malware. Try this:


Remove the Desktop wallpaper / web item:
------------------------------*--------------


Open Control Panel, double-click Display.
Click the Desktop tab, and choose "Customize Desktop".
Select the "Web" tab
Delete all the items except "My current Home page"
Uncheck "My current Home page"
Click OK, and now select (None) as your Desktop background
Click OK and close the dialog.


Follow-up with a thorough malware cleanup. Begin with the stand-alone
scanner from Trend Micro, named "Sysclean" package. Trend Micro's Sysclean
package (free), it's capable of eliminating keyloggers, trojans etc. Full
instructions at:


Generic Trojan / Adware Infestation Removal Procedure:
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html


Trend Micro Sysclean package
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=10820


The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php


--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

my computer is clean of any adware spyware worms...etc the reason why i said is trugh the registry is because i remember changing some key in the registry and this problem ocurring right after. thanx for trying i'm going to keep looking until its fixed.

Is this Home or Pro?

If Home you would have the hidden built-in Admin account accessable via Safe Mode.

If Pro do you have the original Admin account available or are you using it? If using it do you have another Admin account?

Point being to copy over the uncorrupted registry.

Current user registry keys are only kept in C:\Documents
and Settings\currentuser\ntuser.dat. If you copy that file, the keys
should carry over.

Another possibility short of a Repair Install is to try running sfc /scannow.
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html