Try replacing the file DESK.CPL from your original W98 installation CD using
SFC.

See: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/using_sfc.html
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"pbrig" wrote in message
...
I just updated from Win95 to 98. Now when I try to change the desktop
settings on my monitor I receive the message "An error accurred while
Windows
was working with the Control Panel file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DESK.CPL". This
occurs whether I right click Properties on my desktop or I click
Start\Settings\ControlPanel\Display.