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When my computer loads, it loads the wallpaper. Then the screen goes blank (no wallpaper). Then it reloads the wallpaper.
This drives me crazy.
I used to have Stardock's Windowblinds (before that their Object Desktop) installed and I thought that might be responsible and temporarily uninstalled and disabled them so they are not running. But it still happens.
For some reason, Windows XP is loading the wallpaper twice - maybe from two different locations.
I choose my wallpaper either from Irfanview or Windowblinds (when I had it installed) from the My Pictures directory (jpgs or gifs).
I removed all BMP images from the standard Windows wallpaper directory (Windows - Web - Wallpaper).
Any ideas what is causing the double load and how to fix it?
Um...neat.
I've never seen this before, but it sounds as though either your video driver is restarting and/or explorer is restarting when Windows finally gets booted up (both can cause the wallpaper to flicker).
One option is to get rid of the picture entirely.
Ummm...
Otherwise, I would do the basics and check your Event Log for any strange activity at bootup (Control Panel Admin Options)and check that your Video Drivers are up to date.
Other than annoying, is it affecting anything?
Hi Sunrisen - Have a read through this forum thread here: http://www.pclincs.co.uk/Forum.....php?t=6228
It is related to Windows 98 but sounds like the same problem....may just give you some ideas.
cheers......JIM
Hi Ziggie ... interesting suggestions. I'm not sure how to update the drivers but it couldn't hurt (unless something goes wrong). I could look at the Event Log and see if anything looks amiss. Maybe I should try removing any picture and see what happens.
Hi Jim ... as a matter of fact, I found that exact link when I googled the question. It might be helpful even though it dates back to 2003.
Thanks, guys!
Sorry Sunrisen, it appears I may have underestimated you
All drivers can be managed via 'device manager'....access is via; Right-click [b:3j0bpg2h]My Computer[/b:3j0bpg2h], click [b:3j0bpg2h]Manage[/b:3j0bpg2h], and then click [b:3j0bpg2h]Device Manager[/b:3j0bpg2h]. Open the device listed under 'display adapters', select the 'Driver' tab and then click on the 'Update driver' button. This method will update any drivers which have been submitted to MS by the various manufacturers, some don't bother so it is not foolproof. The best way is to go to the manufacturer's web site and 'search' for any updated drivers. To do that you will have to identify the manufacturer of the device, the type and model number.
Personally, I don't think that would be causing the problem....your mention of the 3rd party apps. (Windowsblinds and Object Desktop) is more of a worry. How long has this been happening, since you installed one of those apps. or has it worked okay with them previously? After you uninstalled them did you run any kind of registry cleaner, e.g. CCleaner?
cheers now......JIM
I don't think it's the drivers either.
I think Windows gets confused when there are multiple wallpaper selectors. Sometimes I use Irfanview to set my wallpaper. When I right-click on the desktop to access the Properties menu and click on the Desktop tab and Wallpaper, it will say 'Irfanview-image' or something like that. So, it recognizes that's the source of the image.
When I was running WindowBlinds, I used their wallpaper selector.
According to the old 2003 link about the same issue, the double load doesn't cause any problems with resources or memory but I wasn't sure.
I removed my wallpaper and had a blank screen and rebooted my computer and it didn't double load an image because there was no image to load.
Then I selected a Halloween image through the Windows manager. I'll see if it double loads when I start up tomorrow.
I don't recall when the trouble began. I use CCleaner all the time ... I'm constantly clicking it.
[quote="sunrisen3":1h43soc9]Then I selected a Halloween image through the Windows manager. I'll see if it double loads when I start up tomorrow.[/quote:1h43soc9]
That's what I was going to suggest. It may be a problem with the method irfan uses to inject the chosen wallpaper into explorer. As far as Windowsblinds and ObjectDock I doubt they are involved. Stardock makes some great software and their stuff doesn't usually have any adverse affects. In fact, Stardock is more or less responsible for the ability of Vista Ultimate to display moving images as wallpaper - they seem to have a good relationship with MS and their programmers.
You're right about Stardock. They make great software.
I'm going to reinstall WindowBlinds 6.
I don't know about Irfanview, but what a lot of programs do is capture the image, save it as a bitmap file, and place it somewhere in the My Pictures directory. They then modify the registry to point the desktop image to the new image. They give it a name like nameofprogram-wallpaper. (just set an internet image on IE as the wallpaper and watch what it names it).
So I don't think it's the program, but hopefully I'm wrong.
I could be wrong but I don't think XP requires a BMP for wallpaper. It's not like the old days when Windows only accepted BMP files for wallpaper.
BMP images are much larger than JPGs or GIFs so I prefer to use them for wallpaper and get rid of BMPs.
I convert BMP images to JPG or GIF and delete the BMP for that reason.
I usually use Irfanview to convert files but if I'm converting files for websites and need to optimize and crunch down the file size, I use Fireworks.
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