Missing some desktop backgrounds?

I saw a list of 35 additional desktop backgrounds on a couple of sites earlier this month (e.g. http://gizmodo.com/5334061/snow-leopards-35-new-desktop-pictures-feature-nature- fine-art-and-graffiti and http://creativebits.org/inspiration/snowleopard_desktoppictures). I realise that these probably came from the Snow Leopard Beta, which I never got round to downloading, but I seem to be missing several images ("The Starry Night", "Silk" all the Graffiti images and a couple more).
Did something go wrong with my installation or did Apple simply drop some of these images for the retail release?

I don't have those either so i don't think there is anything wrong with your disk or installation. you can just download those images from the site you linked and use them as desktop pictures.

Similar Messages

For some reason, I cannot change my desktop background no matter how many times I delete the "active" folder. It's as if it's locked. Any ideas how I can fix it?

For some reason, I cannot change my desktop background no matter how many times I delete the "active" folder. It's as if it's locked. Any ideas how I can fix it?

Yes it sounds like you have a corrupted preference file.
The setting you make in individual programs get saved to a Preference file in your Users/Library/Preferences folder.
All you have to do is drag out the old file to the desktop, reboot and load the program and the preference file gets rebuilt without your preferences which you reset.
For your case I beleive the preference file is
com.apple.desktop.plist

When viewing some websites my desktop background image shows as the page background...why...and how do I fix this?

It seems that the current version of Firefox does not understand how to process style sheets. Instead of the stylesheet background color or image, I am now seeing my PC's desktop background image. This does not happen with IE or Chrome. When checking the error console, I get "Warning: Unknown property 'zoom'. Declaration dropped. Source File: http://trustserve.net/themes/ModernBlue/templates_cached/EN/global.css Line: 4"
I am not trying to zoom.
Any ideas on how to fix this. I can't use Firefox with these problems and I really liked it prior to these problems.

I thought I had it disabled. I enabled aero and then disabled to be sure, and still have the problem, but that was a very good idea. Thanks.
The problem started shortly after I installed two new programs, a graphics program, and an anti-virus. I just removed both programs and restarted the computer and that seems to have solved the problem. Your idea about Aero gave me the idea that one, or both of these programs changed some of my system settings. I am now going to install them, one at a time, and see if the transparency problem returns. I'll post my findings.

Some iphoto pictures not usable as desktop background

I want to set my desktop background as a slideshow of my favourite iPhoto'08 pictures. While experimenting, I've discovered that some of my iPhoto pictures don't seem to work as a desktop background.
Here's what I do (and note that I'm translating from a Swedish version of OSX here):
Right-click on the desktop, choose 'Change desktop background'. In the 'Desktop and Screensaver' dialog, Desktop tab, scroll down the left-hand side list of iPhoto albums (among other things), and select my favourite iPhoto album (Flagged). Wait for the previews to load. Select one of the pictures.
Now, what happens can be one of two things. Either I'll see a slightly bigger preview in the left upper corner of the dialog and I'll see the desktop background change to the picture in question. Or I'll only see the slightly bigger preview in the left upper corner, and the desktop background will turn a boring solid color.
Now, iPhoto itself has no problems with these pictures, and shows them properly. Also, if I use the little + below the left-hand side list to add a folder on the harddrive directly to the list, I can get the broken pictures to show up correctly, as long as I don't go through iPhoto.
So, yeah, that gives me a potential workaround: Export my favourite album now and then, and use the exported folder as background slideshow source. I'd rather have a better solution, where things just work like they're supposed to.
The pattern I've noticed is that iPhoto-modified pictures work fine, non-iPhoto-modified pictures don't seem to work. (That is, if right-clicking on a preview in iPhoto has the menu item 'Show original file' active, the picture will work, if the item is greyed out, the picture won't work.)
A relevant detail in this may be that I've set iPhoto to not copy imported pictures into the library.
Any hints, clues? Now what?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
I think this relates to using a Referenced Library:
iPhoto-modified pictures work fine, non-iPhoto-modified pictures don't seem to work.
In other words, iPhoto will share the files it controls (the modifieds are inside the Library Package) and not the ones that it wont.
Simple test: Create a Managed Library (Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library', import a few pics and see if that works as expected.
Regards
TD

How do you save pictures in Safari directly as desktop background?

I just switched from Firefox because I'm thinking of getting a Mac someday and wanted to adjust to some of the software. I love Safari but it's missing something Safari had. When you right-click on a picture in Firefox there's an option to 'set as desktop background'. Is there a way to do that for Safari? Thanks.

As the other poster says, it doesn't look like this option exists yet. (I expect it will appear sometime, especially given that it's in the Mac version of the product ..they probably just had other priorities with what they wanted in the first non-beta release.)
But in the mean time, it's just one more step: Right-click and use the "Save image to Desktop" option, or whatever save option you have, or drag it to the desktop, then double-click on it (it will probably open in the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer), and from there you can right-click and use the "Set as Desktop Background" option.
Me, I'm a bit of a perfectionist with these things: I prefer to save it, then open in Photoshop and crop and tweak it so it looks perfect. (IrfanView is a good Photoshop-substitute for these kind of tasks.)

Desktop Backgrounds Folder

I have been looking for some time in and around Library for the Desktop Backgrounds folder which I have now determined is missing in 10.6. I wanted to add some pictures to the existing default folders so they pop up when I open the folders in system preferences.
Any thoughts?

are you looking in the right library? the default pictures are in the Desktop Pictures folder in the Library folder at the top level of the hard drive. but you don't have to put your pictures there. in desktop background system preferences just click on + and add your own folder of pictures. there is no reason to modify the system ones.
Message was edited by: V.K.

On Windows Server 2012 R2 the "Show my desktop background on Start" is grayed out

Hi
As shown below, the new 8.1/2012R2 function "Show my desktop background on Start" is not available on Windows Server 2012 R2.
I have tried multiple solutions:
- Activate OS (In Win 8.1 - the feature is unavailable when Win8.1 is not activated)
- Install Desktop Experience
- Playing with the registry key "Subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Accent Entry:
MotionAccentId_v1.00
But no luck. Does anyone have a solution.
The reason why I need this is, that I am building a Remote Desktop solution, and here we want to give users the same experience as from their desktops.
Looking forward to some exciting feedback.
Regards,
Mr. Thomas

Hi,
I am trying to involve someone to further look at this issue. There might be some time delay. Appreciate your patience.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Jeremy Wu
TechNet Community Support
Jeremy,
I, too, am facing this issue.
Do we have any update on this?
With regards
With regards

Deleting files out of system preferences desktop background.

Does anyone know how to delete files out of system preferences>desktop & screen saver?
Some how when adding one photo to the file for the desktop background it took the entire photo file. So that instead of one photo for the file it has over 200 now. Read everything and tried everything. Still can't figure out how to delete that file from the list.
I know how to add photos or whatever to use as desktop background just no idea how to remove them from the list.
Any ideas?

Doug,
When you go to system preferences>desktop & screen savers>desktop. On the left is a window with the names of the images listed. Apple Images, Nature file, Plants file, Picture Folder, Choose Folder and so forth. The ones that come with Apple products. Not sure what all else is native to Apple.
Iv been using my own desktop background since the day I got the iBook. Normally I just get one photo or image and more it there to use. But, last week I did something different or wrong. Maybe holding a button to long, not sure. Instead of moving the one photo it moved the entire photo file. That file had over 200 (2,500x1,800 in size & over 550KB for each) and probably closer to 250 photos in it.
Way to many to be there. And I simply can't find a way to remove that file from the desktop list. I can high light it, but it doesn't delete with the delete button. I can high light it, but it doesn't change anything in system preferences banner to edit, view, etc....to remove it either. It won't click & drag to trash.
Being very careful because I don't want to delete the file and by error delete it totally off the computer. I could creat a new file with only 1 photo in it for use as the desktop background. Then try to choose that file. However, since the last big OS-X update it's been doing this. Everytime I choose a file or photo it's adding the entire file not just the 1 photo. And Iv managed to add 3 files so far to that list.
Any ideas? Thx, Mike

Desktop background problem

Hi
I have chosen to use a particular photo folder to use as desktop background for my Imac. I have also checked the "change image" and "random" boxes, every 30 minutes. As long as I keep the Imac running, everything is fine but as soon as for some reason, I reboot the computer, I get the original photo that came with Snow Leopard and I have to change the settings all over again as it had not remembered the information.
I have tried a few times to delete the finder's plist fife, to no avail. Is there something else I may try to try and fix it once and for all ?
thanks

I just created a new admin account, applied the same desktop background settings as my regular account and then rebooted to the newly created account. I was surprised to find out that it's the exact same situation with the new account.

Can't set smart album pictures as desktop backgrounds.

i have imported 'without copying to library' a whole bunch of pics into iphoto and have created smart albums. now i went to 'change desktop background' by control clicking on the desktop and am selecting a pictures from one of the smart albums but its only displaying a blue background. this is true for all smart albums and normals ones as well. when i select an image from the other folders they work fine. what could be the reason?
the primary reason of importing stuff to iphoto was so that they are easily available across applications.

simport
Do you know of any reason why the Desktop pref pane should not be able to use photos in a "referenced" iphoto library
It's just the nature of the beast.
but I just don't trust it enough to do what it will with my photos by having them stored in the iPhoto library.
What are you afraid of?
When you import a pic into iPhoto in the default Managed mode all it does is make a byte by byte copy of the pic. Nothing else. It's an exact copy. It makes no alterations, adds nothing, removes nothing.
The pic is stored in the Finder. Yes, it's in a Unix Style Package file, but apart from all the ways to access your pics I'll describe in a moment, if you want to look inside the package you can do so at any time: Simply right click on the iPhoto Library and select 'Show Package Contents' from the resulting menu. A Finder window will open and you'll see the Library inside.
There are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three core folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner. (As your Library is referenced the files will be aliases rather than the actual files.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Remember: iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
Running a referenced library has a number of pitfalls - apart from the fact that System Preferences cannot use the files.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, there are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Your choice, obviously, but best to be aware of all the ramifications. By all means post back if you require more info.
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Other information that may offer comfort:
Events in the iPhoto Window correspond exactly with the Folders in the Originals Folder in the iPhoto Library package file (Right click on it in the Pictures Folder -> Show Package Contents).
You can move photos between Events, you can rename Events, edit them, create them, as long as you do it via the iPhoto Window. Check out the Info Pane (wee 'i', lower left) the name and date fields are editable. Edit a Event Name using the Info Pane, the Event Folder in iPhoto Library/Originals will also have the new name.
Mind you, I don't suggest that you change over in one go. I think the best thing to do is create a new Library (Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library') and set it as a Managed Library. Import 50 or 100 pics an explore it, see how it works and see if that does anything for your confidence.
Regards
TD

Is there an ARD command or Unix command that I can send to reset the desktop background image to default?

I was forced to create a local user with an automatic login on all of the machines in the building. I listed off many various issues that could come arise by doing this but was tuned out. Now people are changing all of the desktop backgrounds to some pretty inappropriate images. I forewarned the person ordering this that this may be one of the many issues that would arise when doing away with our server based logins, and now I am charged with fixing every desktop every time someone changes it to something inappropriate.
Is that an Apple Remote Desktop command or a Unix command that I can send through ARD v3.5.3 to the machines to reset the desktop background image to the default Aqua Blue jpeg image located in the /MacintoshHD/Library/Desktop\ Pictures/Aqua\ Blue.jpg.
The machines that I am dealing with have OS X 10.4.11, OS X 10.5.8, OS X 10.6.8, and OS X 10.7.4 installed on them, but the OS X 10.4.11 machines are the ones that are creating the biggest issue so I would like to deal with those first.

Ya, I'd love to have the computers connected to the Xserver, unfortunately against my heeding, I was ordered to take them off of the Xserver, so they only have a local account that automatically logs in on startup, and even though I have Parental Controls set, I can not stop them from going to Safari, selecting an inappropriate image and setting it as the background, so now I’ve been ordered to fix all of the backgrounds that people are messing with.
My Xserver is running OS X 10.4.11 Server Edition. Yes, I would love a new server, but that’s not happening due to budget cuts.
So what I am hoping for is a command that I can put into Apple Remote Desktop v3.5.3 and push out to all of the computers via its Unix commands and reset all the desktops to their default image.

How do I change the PS desktop background to a .JPG or other suitable file format of my choosing?

Greetings,
I asked this question a couple months ago and never really received a satisfactory answer. Maybe Adobe holds these secrets close to the vest.
What I would like to accomplish is changing my PS desktop background so that every time I open PS it has a background that I have chosen. (Yes I know you can change the black and grey in the preferences panel) What I want is not necessarily in the preferences panel, unless I'm missing something altogether.
Now here I'm adding a screenshot of a fairly well known PS user CB (who is especially good at 3D) who has his background basically the way I would like mine. If anyone can tell me how to accomplish this thank you!
Sincerely,
Jim
What I'm looking for is something similar to the dark blue background. I have a JPG file similar to this that I would like to use. Now I was able to change the splash opening screen in Lightroom, so I imagine the fix is something similar.

Thanks,
That did work and it's the same as the frame in the sample I provided. Unfortunately not what I wanted. I guess I need to be much more specific. I would like to change the background to look similar to what that sample is, AND be able to have PS as an application that's on top of my desktop and not take up the entire desktop. (which is what happens if I break out the application frame) Probably not something that is doable. I was hoping that similar to changing the Lightroom Splash screen I could change the PS desktop background to something of my choosing other than black or shades of gray. Oh and I am on an iMac.
Thank you again Warunicorn for you help.

Desktop background doesn't show up

I have a new Mini with 2GHz Core 2 Due, 2G RAM, and 320G HD. I use it as a headless (no keyboard, mouse, or monitor) music server running iTunes. I control it through VNC client (I tried both JollysFastVNC and Chicken of the VNC). Screen resolution is set at 1024x768. The problem is that the Desktop background picture never showed in the VNC client window, no matter what picture I chose. More importantly, Cover Flow in iTunes doesn't show either; the top half of the Cover Flow window is always blank but the bottom half works fine. List and Grid view work without problem, however.
I really don't know what is the right forum to post this so I just start here. Does anyone have any idea on the cause and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance for all the helps.

Hmm, dunno what to tell you then. I've got an older Mini running headless and have controlled it with Chicken of the VNC and with Leopard's screen sharing. Both work fine (though I've never tried iTunes' cover flow with it... it's not a media server, it's being run as a calendar and FileMaker server). So I suspect you may have some odd, subtle system problem.

Thin white lines on desktop background

After having my computer on for a while, one or two thin horizontal white lines will appear on the screen. They are around a few inches long, and never appear in the same place twice. They only affect my desktop background, not any windows or screen saver at all.
Reloading the desktop background or restarting the computer makes the lines go away, but I'm wondering what is causing them, and if it's a sign of some underlying problem.

Insert your MacOSX DVD
reboot while pressing ALT key
when icons appear on the screen select Apple Hardware Test and run extended test.
Perhaps a video memory problem. If yes motherboard is dead !

Using screensaver images as desktop background

how can I find the images from the screensavers that came with the mbp? I would like to use them as my desktop background.

To be clear, on a Mac, a "screen saver" is the moving images (or static) that display on a screen after a few minutes of inactivity, if so setup to do that.
A "desktop picture" is the non-moving image you setup for the background of your screen. In the PC world, it's called a "wallpaper" and some mistakenly call it a "screen saver"-- I know, because a lot of PC users I know call it such.
So two answers to your question:
1) If you are trying to find the desktop picture to change your background, go to SYSTEM PREFERENCES > DESKTOP & SCREEN SAVER and then choose the DESKTOP PICTURE tab and select away. You can even drag and drop a photo/image to the box on the screen to set it as your Desktop Picture.
2) If you want to use an image from a screen saver on the Mac, you can, while the screen saver is active, take a screenshot of the screen saver by pressing the following key commands: SHIFT + COMMAND + 3. The image will appear on your desktop to which you can then drag and drop it to the box in the Desktop Picture tab in the previous instruction.
Note that you can even create a folder of collected images and select that folder in the System Preferences pane of Desktop & Screen Saver and all the images will be available to choose.
Now...
If your question was "How can I make my screen saver as my desktop picture background?" this would be your answer:
http://www.wallsaverapp.com/

Missing some desktop backgrounds?

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