Cannot Right Click Desktop Icons or Change Appearance

Could the Desktop icons have moved off to an area where they are not visible on the screen?  Try this:  right click the Desktop at an empty spot, select Arrange Icons By from the context menu, then click Auto Arrange to put a check mark there.  If they are really still on your Desktop (but not visible), then they will line up in columns on the lefthand side.  You can then go through the same steps to remove the check mark next to Auto Arrange and move them wherever you want.

This sounds like multiple problems to me.  The above might handle the Desktop icons missing problem, but I would also suggest this:  use System File Checker to replace any missing or corrupt system files:  Start -> Run -> CMD -> OK button.  Type:

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD ready to act as source for any replaced files.

More on the icons problem:  when you right click the Desktop and select Arrange Icons By, is there a check mark next to Lock Web Items on Desktop?  If so, remove that, at least temporarily.

I will give the sytem file checker a try, but the main problem is I cannot right click at all on the desktop.  I can right click in the system tray, but nothing at all on the desktop.  Either on an icon or in a blank area.

Cedar

Is this an XP Pro machine connected to a domain?  Is it possible that your Network Admin created a Group Policy?

I am not sure what you mean by connected to a domain.  It is my personal computer here in my house.  No one else has access to it here but me.  But like I stated, I am a TRUE Novice and might be missing something.

Home or Work PC was what I was getting at, thanks.

I agree that it sounds like there could be multiple problems.  Have you tried running any spyware/adware removal tools and anti-virus programs?

I have run McAffee Virus scan, AVG Scan, Ad Aware SE, and Spy bot Search & Destroy.  Quite a few trojan viruses found and deleted.  With new scans, nothing else shows.  Unfortunately, I do not remember the names of the viruses.  This all started when I came home yesterday and my desktop screen was hijacked by some type of spyware advertisement.  All the icons except the ones mentioned in the original post were gone and the screen was solid red with a box for the ad in the middle.  Everything seemed to delete, but I guess something is corrupt.  Wish I could give you more to go on.
SOrry.

Check out the question posted here:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Security/Win_Security/Q_21370554.html

Your problem sounds like the same thing (your actual desktop has probably been replaced by a picture of a desktop)...

I would try the "Hijackthis" program as suggested in the above link, and let us know what (if anything) it finds!

HTH

Here is a copy of Hijack this from my PC:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 4:26:53 PM, on 3/30/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Avsynmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\VsStat.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Vshwin32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\McShield\Mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Avconsol.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\MultiPASS4\MPSERVIC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Canon\MultiPASS4\monitr32.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\MultiPASS4\mptbox.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O16 - DPF: {1DF36010-E276-11D4-A7C0-00C04F0453DD} (Stamps.com Secure Postal Account Registration) - https://secure.stamps.com/download/us/registration/3_0_0_832/sdcregie.cab
O16 - DPF: {BE5431D2-0F30-11D4-89D9-00C04F509C0A} (SDCInstaller Class) - https://secure.stamps.com/download/us/cab/stamps/stamps.cab?r=0.409881591796875&file=stamps.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVSync Manager - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\McAfee VirusScan\Avsynmgr.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: McShield - Unknown - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\McShield\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: MpService - Canon Inc - C:\Program Files\Canon\MultiPASS4\MPSERVIC.EXE

I don't see anything obvious in the log file...

Try this:  Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Display (Classic View) [If your on Catagory View click Apperance and Themes -> Then Display]

Desktop Tab -> Click the Customize Desktop Button at the bottom

Click the Web Tab

Are there any webpages listed and checked there? (if so Uncheck them)   Is the "Lock Desktop Items" check box checked? (If so Uncheck it).


I'm starting to suspect Registry corruption due to the spyware...

Did that and nothing was checked.  No webpages checked, but "My Home page" was listed and not checked.  The "Lock Desktop Items" box is unchecked also.  You say that the registry my be corrupt due to the spyware, what if anything can be done?
Thanks for all your help.

Just for grins, I did a search on "desktop" on my PC and came up with this file:

don@ads.addesktop[2].txt

Does This mean anything?

This is what comes up when I click on it:

/PC
1
ads.addesktop.com/
1024
665383936
29699284
3826024000
29697875
*

Unfortunatly, if you don't have a backup it's probly going to be impossible to salvage the current Windows installation, but that doesn't mean you'll lose any data files...

Here is a site called "Repair XP"

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm


And here is a link with instructions on how to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstall) of XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Since you said your a "novice" I think my personal choice would be to use the in-place upgrade (reinstall) option.  This will get your XP up and running agian without replacing any data files.  

There are links at the bottom for how to deal with getting your programs running again.

Sorry I couldn't be more help,  perhapse somone else will know the magic bullet on this one, but from here, it's sounding like a re-install is where your heading.

Good Luck

don@ads.addesktop[2].txt

Sounds like a cookie to me, it's a file that stores options for a website, most of the time nothing to worry about.

Try increasing the Icon Cache as per my link here:

http://65.24.134.81/KipSolutions/XP%20Performance%20Tips/IncreaseIconCache/IncreaseIconCache.htm

just in case press windows + "R" type gpedit.msc   then when the Group Policy Editor opens up navigate to the following:
User Configuration / Administrative Templates / Desktop (click desktop)
check if all items on the right are "no configured" , do the same with Active Desktop folder (bellow desktop)

Hi, cedarcreekwoodshop

See if this info helps:

Duplicate Icons in the Desktop - Windows 2000/XP:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/duplicatedesktop.htm

I want to thank everyone for their help, especially royalcanin & sramesh2k.  I was able to fix the duplicate icon problem with sramesh2k 's fix, but still cannot right click the icons on the desktop.  Anymore suggestions on tweaking the resgistry?  My printer also is still offline, but the scanner portion of it works just fine (All in one unit)  I try to download the software to fix it, and it says for me to connect printer!
Thanks again for EVERYONE's help.

Cedar

sramesh2k,
If you were here I would love to SHAKE YOUR HAND!!!  THAT WORKED!!  I think all is back in order now as far as I can tell, except one little thing.  I seemed to have lost my Windows XP Display preferences.  All I can display now is dull gray Window Classic.  I am not too worried about it however, but if you know of a fix for this, I am ALL EARS!!!!  Thanks again to EVERYONE!!!  Also, how does this points thing work?  Do I "DIVVY" them up?  Alocate them somehow? Or does the site do it automatically?
THANKS AGAIN GUYS or GALS!!!!   I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP!!

Cedar

Isn't it nice to have sramesh hanging around to answer these tough questions?

Thanks William :)
Thanks for the feedback Cedar.

>> All I can display now is dull gray Window Classic

A screenshot of this might help us.