Please help get rid of smitfraud remnants

[Mr_JAk3]

Ok, let's try this:

Right click on an empty spot on your desktop > properties
on first page "Themes" choose a different theme click apply, Now choose the theme you prefer click apply.
Basically, change it then change it back.
If you lost the XP style windows and buttons.
Right click on an empty spot on your desktop > properties > Appearance
under "Windows and buttons" change it then change it back to Windows XP style (clicking apply each time)
Same method basically, change it then change it back.

Let me know if you can now change yout wallpaper

Then you seem to have this TopthemesXP installed.
It might have something to do with this problem. Have you uninstalled it ?
Have you tried to change the theme/background via it ?

[Millslord]

Hi and Happy New Year,

I cannot change it. I haven't installed the program you mention. I can't choose any of the themes. The moment I am about to click on one the whole thing disappears. The only option I am able to choose and click is Windows Classic but this also does not work eventually, since my buttons and appearance are the WinXP style.

Thx

[Mr_JAk3]

Happy New Year to you too

Let's try this...

Please download test.bmp and save it to C:\
(to the root of your C-drive, do not rename the file!)

Backup your registry:

• Start
• Run
• Type the following to the box and hit Ok: regedit
• A window opens, click on File
• Choose Export form the menu
• Change the save location to C:\
• Give the filename, RegBackUp
• Make sure that the filetype is set to Registryfiles (*.reg)
• Click on Save and Close the window

Open Notepad (NOT WORDPAD!) and copy the following lines from the quote box below into a new document, leaving a blank line at the end. (don't forget to copy and paste the word REGEDIT4) :

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"Wallpaper"="C:\\Test.bmp"

Make sure there are NO blank lines before REGEDIT4
Make sure there IS one blank line at the end of the file.

Save the document to your desktop as Fix.reg and filetype: All Files
Go to your desktop and double click on the file to run Fix.reg and when it asks you if you want to merge the contents to the registry, click yes/ok.

Then click on Start -> Run -> Copy the following to the box and hit OK:
RUNDLL32.EXE USER32.DLL,UpdatePerUserSystemParameters ,1 ,True

Then go back to your desktop and see if your wallpaper is changed. There should be a picture that says "TEST".
Let me know if this worked

If i didn't work, please try to uninstall the TopthemesXP and see if it helps.
You may install it again later but I would like to see if the removal helps.

Let me know

[Millslord]

Hi there,

You said:

Save the document to your desktop as Fix.reg and filetype: All Files
Go to your desktop and double click on the file to run Fix.reg and when it asks you if you want to merge the contents to the registry, click yes/ok.

I did exactly as you say but when I double-click I get no merge dialogue box but instead notepad pops up with the contents of the fix.reg file. Therefore I am unable to proceed with the rest of the steps.

Kind regards,

Mills

[Millslord]

By the way,

I uninstalled TopthemesXP but things didn't get any better.

[Millslord]

I finally managed to merge files into registry, but now I click on properties and nothing happens. The display dialogue does not pop up at all. I tried to import the reg backup to restore things but not all values were successfully imported. I tried the import both under normal and safe modes.

[Millslord]

I applied the fixme.reg found in one of your previous posts on page 3 of this discussion. This brought back the display box but I still can't change the wallpaper or any theme really.

[Millslord]

Under themes I have the following options:

Windows XP (modified)
My current Theme
Windows XP
Windows Classic

[Mr_JAk3]

Hi

So you followed the instructions and saved the bmp to your C-drive ?
Did the regfix but did you do the "Start -> Run" part too ?

Do you have any other userprofiles on your computer ?
If you have, do they have the same issue ?

Let's try this:

Rightclick the following Smiley --><-- and choose "Set as Background"
See if the smiley now is your wallpaper.

Let me know

[Millslord]

I did part 2 but it didn't help.

Yes the smiley is my background now and the when i righ click on desktop click on properties nothing happens.