ok so recently i have lost the abilt to set a background...i either try to right click on a picture..and it does nothing...or also i right click on the desktop and the goto properties and then try to clcik on the background that come witht eh computer..and its a shade of grey and i cant do anything... i dont know what else to do..thanks for any help

What OS?
Sounds like a permissions issue, but you don't need admin rights in XP to change backrounds.
Maybe Active Desktop setting if Win98??

Is the PC in question joined to a domain?? (I'm thinking Policies if so).

ok sorry its an xp and it my personal comp..so there is no rights or anything...it jsut stop working some day

hello..any help???

Wow, The only thing that really comes to mind is a video card issue. Only suggestion its check drivers for your Video card.