Unable to change background Windows 7 Home Premium

Anonymous

**Original Title**

Windows 7 Desktop Background Picture won't change. Was working fine, changing everyday, then one day, stopped changing and now stuck on the same picture for 2 weeks.

The desktop backgrounds were working fine (previous 2 weeks ago), picture would change everyday. I downloaded all the other themes (ex. Brazil, China, Spain, etc.). At first these other themes worked fine and then all of a sudden, the desktop background picture won't change.

Another problem: under "Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Personalization" window, when I click on "Desktop Background" link or icon on bottom left and the picture locations are displayed, I can't check or uncheck pictures. When I try to clear all check marks or select all check marks, they seem to disappear (the check marks) randomly and then reappear randomly. Sometimes some check marks will stay and then others will disappear despite selecting "Clear all" or "Select all" (doesn't matter which) and seemingly random pictures are selected or deselected in no particular pattern. And then I tried manually selecting and deselecting each picture check mark and same thing, check marks would randomly stay or else disappear.

Bottom line is I am unable to change anything in "Desktop Background". And I have had the same background picture for 2 weeks unable to change it. Have clicked on every button or drop down menu like "Change picture every:" to 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc. and still nothing.

I tried finding a work around solution like right clicking on different pictures in Windows Explorer and selecting "Set as desktop background" but literally nothing happens. I tried viewing several pictures in "Windows Photo Viewer" then right click on "Set as desktop background" and then an error pops up "This image can't be set as wallpaper. An internal error occurred."

I have all the latest windows updates. I haven't tried anything in safe mode because I really don't know windows 7 and safe mode turns the desktop background off, anyways, doesn't it? Don't really want to do a system restore for something so small or re-install. Please advise other things I can try!

Should also mention I tried deleting all the additional themes I downloaded to see if these caused problems... and yes I used antivirus and spyware several times (using "Shaw Secure" made by F-Secure). Still same problem. Also scanned with Ad-Aware (although had to turn off F-Secure to do this). Still nothing wrong.

It's a small problem I can live with but also annoying.

Should also mention this is a brand new pc with Windows 7 installed on it (no other OS was installed on it).

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Anonymous

should be noted that when you delete the content in the .ini file you need to reboot

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Anonymous

Open this with Windows Explorer: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\ and tell me what you see?

When choosing only one image for the desktop background there should be only TranscodedWallpaper.jpg and the slideshow.ini should be empty. Is there something inside the .ini file? Maybe it would be possible to force some changes removing the content of the .ini file

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Anonymous

2009-12-31T09:39:16+00:00

MrNo, I understand you have tried to deleting the content of the slideshow.ini.

Another things... Can you try to create a new user account to check is the problem related only to your account (Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove user accounts > Create a new account > follow the rest of the process > login to your newly created account)
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Anonymous

2009-12-31T04:22:57+00:00

I have a similar problem as some people in this thread.

I dont have the option '' Change picture every : '' when im trying to set a desktop slideshow.

The only way i found to change between wallpapers in a slideshow is to right click on the desktop and selecting next wallpaper.

Is there anyway to ''activate'' this option ?
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Anonymous

2009-12-18T00:16:30+00:00

Zirtec

Don't think the new admin account worked either but it takes so long to test. I think I will try again but just go and check that account every day or so to see if it is changing. I need all my other account settings as they are, so switching to a new account would be a pain, especially with Outlook.

Grzegorz, the slide show is "Available". Power settings were one of the first things I checked. Also tried disabling the computer from going to sleep but made no difference.

I am aware of some third party changers, and indeed I used to use one in XP. I really liked the Windows 7 built in function though and it was great when it worked. I am determined to find what is wrong with it.

Hopefully will get there in the end!

Thanks for your help.
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