Windows Problem

Heya Lately i've been having a problem with my desktop, no matter how many times I change the background wallpaper it changes back within the day. Often to a solid color or to an older picture in another file. Also off and on when I screencap something it shows my desktop as well as the wallpaper on the side. My clock tends to change to the wrong time frequently too. Was wondering if you had any suggestions or know what might cause this? I run a Dell Dimension 3000, with Windows XP Home Edition. P4, 3.00GHz, 2.99HGz, and 1.25GB of RAM. Have ran various scans and whatnot and still haven't found what would cause this. Thanks for your time! :]

My clock tends to change to the wrong time frequently too.

Classic symptom of a bad battery. You will need to check manual. Generally the battery is CR2032, found for $2 at your local battery counter.

To remove, power down, UNPLUG the computer from the wall, then open the side of the case. Look for the battery, if typical, it will look like a silver coin, mounted flat in a small socket on the motherboard. Touch bare metal of the computer case with your fingers to discharge any static in your body. Note the polarity of the battery - it is usually + side up. Use your thumb nails to carefully pry it loose. Many battery counters will recycle these batteries so they don't end up in landfills. Avoid tossing in the trash.

Do NOT touch the new battery with your bare skin. Skin oils promote corrosion and collect dust. I put a clean sock over my hand. Don't forget to touch bare metal first before inserting new battery. Make sure you observe polarity when inserting.

On first boot, go straight in to the BIOS setup menu and set your date and time and make sure your drives have been properly identified. Then safe and exit.

As for your desktop changing, have you scanned for malware? One of the firsts thing I do when troubleshooting a PC is make sure I have a clean platform to work from. That's clean of heat trapping dust and dirt, as well as malware. Here's a link to my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware. Use it if you don't already have a complete security suite and disk cleaning utilities to rid your system of malware and clutter. You can also use it augment or as a guide to build your own security suite, and to help you develop or enhance a "Practicing Safe Computing" self-discipline.

See how that goes, then let us know what problems you are still having.

My clock tends to change to the wrong time frequently too.

Classic symptom of a bad battery. You will need to check manual. Generally the battery is CR2032, found for $2 at your local battery counter.

To remove, power down, UNPLUG the computer from the wall, then open the side of the case. Look for the battery, if typical, it will look like a silver coin, mounted flat in a small socket on the motherboard. Touch bare metal of the computer case with your fingers to discharge any static in your body. Note the polarity of the battery - it is usually + side up. Use your thumb nails to carefully pry it loose. Many battery counters will recycle these batteries so they don't end up in landfills. Avoid tossing in the trash.

Do NOT touch the new battery with your bare skin. Skin oils promote corrosion and collect dust. I put a clean sock over my hand. Don't forget to touch bare metal first before inserting new battery. Make sure you observe polarity when inserting.

On first boot, go straight in to the BIOS setup menu and set your date and time and make sure your drives have been properly identified. Then safe and exit.

As for your desktop changing, have you scanned for malware? One of the firsts thing I do when troubleshooting a PC is make sure I have a clean platform to work from. That's clean of heat trapping dust and dirt, as well as malware. Here's a link to my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware. Use it if you don't already have a complete security suite and disk cleaning utilities to rid your system of malware and clutter. You can also use it augment or as a guide to build your own security suite, and to help you develop or enhance a "Practicing Safe Computing" self-discipline.

See how that goes, then let us know what problems you are still having.

Thanks for the suggestion on the battery, i'll look into it soon. :]

As for the desktop part, I have scanned for malware and looked inside. I was originally directed here from http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php?act=idx – MrCharlie helped clean up my computer a fair bit but we couldn't figure out what caused the desktop changing issue.

Well, we need to eliminate the battery from the equation too, so your clock stays set, and your drives are properly identified each time you boot. So keep us posted.