Windows 95 & 98
  Help Desk

Can not open display properties dialog from context menu

In Windows 98 or 98 Second Edition, right-clicking on the desktop should open a context menu from which you can select the system display properties.
However, a problem exists, which could keep this simple operation from working. When you right-click on the desktop and click Properties, you might find that the mouse pointer changes to an hourglass for a few seconds and then doesn't open the context menu at all. The same problem may occur if you try to use the Display applet in the Control Panel. One possible cause is if entries in the registry were replaced by the video card's driver or other software by mistake. To fix this, you'll need to use the Registry Editor.

Warning!!!: Using the Windows Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems requiring the re-installation of your operating system and possible loss of data. I do not and will not support problems that arise from you editing your own registry. Use the Registry Editor and my directions at your own risk. Be sure that you create a backup of your registry and be very sure that you know how to restore it. If you are not sure how to do both of these things then STOP here!! and read the directions.

 

Click Start | Run.
Type regedit.
Click OK.
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls\Folder\Display\shellex
\PropertySheetHandlers.

There may be a number of keys under the PropertySheetHandlers key, but only DeskHtmlExt and PlusPack CPL Extension are standard keys. There could also be additional keys with the name of the video adapter installed. Highlight and delete each of these keys.

Shut down the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Then try to access the display properties again by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Properties.

About this site