BleepingComputer.com: Can change desktop background after XP FIx removal

Hmmm....I really don't see any setting which would prevent you from changing wallpaper.

Can you tell me what exactly happens when you try?

I am sorry. I thought you knew that early in this thread I had reported that MB found .hijack.displayproperties when I ran it the other day, even though it had reported earlier that it didn't find anything. I did apply a newer update to MB that morning... so maybe that was the difference. The display properties were changeable after that was removed.

I didn't realize you were still working on the display properties. I thought you were just making sure there wasn't other things left behind.

Haha...good one

Any current issues?

Download Temp File Cleaner (TFC)
Double click on TFC.exe to run the program.
Click on Start button to begin cleaning process.
TFC will close all running programs, and it may ask you to restart computer.

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Please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner

• Disable your antivirus program
  
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use
  
• Click Start
  
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
  
• Check Scan archives
  
• Click Start
  
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
  
• When the scan completes, push List of found threats
  
• Click on Export to text file , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.

I ran the temp file cleaner...

then I ran ESET.... the results page did not have a "List of found threats" but it did report "no threats found"

Scanned files: 98275
Infected files: 0
cleaned files: 0

Good

1. Update your Java version here: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

Note 1: UNCHECK any pre-checked toolbar and/or software offered with the Java update. The pre-checked toolbars/software are not part of the Java update.

Note 2: The Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. If you don't want to run another extra service, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click OK and restart your computer.

2. Now, we need to remove old Java version and its remnants...

Download JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it to its own folder

• Run JavaRa.exe (Vista users! Right click on JavaRa.exe, click Run As Administrator), pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
  
• Accept any prompts.

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Update Adobe Reader

You can download it from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
After installing the latest Adobe Reader, uninstall all previous versions.
Note. If you already have Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition installed or do not wish to have it installed UNcheck the box which says Also Download Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition.

Alternatively, you can uninstall Adobe Reader (33.5 MB), download and install Foxit PDF Reader(3.5MB) from HERE.
It's a much smaller file to download and uses a lot less resources than Adobe Reader.
Note: When installing FoxitReader, make sure to UN-check any pre-checked toolbar, or any other garbage.

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Your computer is clean

1. We need to reset system restore to prevent your computer from being accidentally reinfected by using some old restore point(s). We'll remove all old restore points and create fresh, clean restore point.

Turn system restore off.
Restart computer.
Turn system restore back on.

If you don't know how to do it...
Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
Vista and Windows 7: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-system-restore-in-windows-vista/

2. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

3. Download, and install WOT (Web OF Trust): http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

4. Run Malwarebytes "Quick scan" once in a while to assure safety of your computer.

5. Run Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) weekly.

6. Download and install Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI): http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/. The Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Run it weekly.

7. (optional) If you want to keep all your programs up to date, download and install FileHippo Update Checker.
The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases.

8. When installing\updating ANY program, make sure you always select "Custom " installation, so you can UN-check any possible "drive-by-install" (foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click "Next" button without looking at any given page.

9. Read How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

Ok.... thank you for your help. I think I have made it to the end.

You're very welcome

I have noticed one new thing. I have noticed that a while after you reboot, you will get an error that says jusched.exe has encoutnered an error and needs to close. I read that this process is used by the Java updater. I am not sure if this is related to the Java updates and removing of old version or not. I see a lot of stuff on the internet that says it can fix this issue, but I am afraid to just download something and try it. Is this related to the Java cleanup?

That's pretty common error.
Disable jusched.exe as a startup: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/what-is-juschedexe-and-why-is-it-running/