Microsoft KB Archive/171287

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Error Message on White Desktop with Active Desktop Enabled
Last reviewed: July 11, 1997

Article ID: Q171287



BETA INFORMATION BETA INFORMATION  BETA INFORMATION  BETA

This article discusses a Beta release of a Microsoft product. The information in this article is provided as-is and is subject to change without notice.

No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this Beta product. For information about obtaining support for a Beta release, please see the documentation included with the Beta product files, or check the Web location from which you downloaded the release.

BETA INFORMATION BETA INFORMATION  BETA INFORMATION  BETA

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 for Windows 95
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS
If you are using the Active Desktop, the desktop may appear white with the following text displayed in the upper-left corner:

<%WinShell = CreateObject("WinShellHTMLPreProc")%> You may also experience the following symptoms:


 * You cannot start the Display tool in Control Panel. You can start the Display tool if you restart the computer, but only once per restart.
 * When you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Close Program dialog box, Rundll or Display Properties is listed as not responding.
 * Images or HTML content added to the desktop are not visible.
 * You cannot change the desktop wallpaper (background), and the Reset All button on the Web tab in Display properties does not restore the desktop to a usable state.

CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you choose one of the following files as the desktop wallpaper:


 * Controlp.htm
 * Folder.htm
 * Mycomp.htm

RESOLUTION
WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

 Right-click an empty area on the desktop, point to Active Desktop, and then click View As Web Page to clear the check mark.  Delete or rename the following file: - With user profiles disabled: Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop.htx

- With user profiles enabled:

Windows\Profiles\ \Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop.htx   Change the following registry value to an empty string: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\ General\Wallpaper  Right-click an empty area on the desktop, point to Active Desktop, and then click View As Web Page.

MORE INFORMATION
The Mycomp.htm, Controlp.htm, and Folder.htm files are template files used to display HTML content in folders. These files should not be used as the desktop wallpaper. When you attempt to set the Mycomp.htm or Controlp.htm file as the desktop wallpaper, you receive the following prompt:

The wallpaper you selected is a hidden and/or system file. Choosing this file for use as a wallpaper is not recommended. Are you sure you want to continue?