ok well i'm sure this is a fairly basic question, but finding information on it seems to be impossible. could anyone tell me what the html code for backgrounds that run down the side of your page? ex:

www.newgrounds.com

i've drawn them up, but when i put them on my site it makes a horizontal scroll bar for people using smaller resolutions and totally ruins the effect. with the NG site, the background is trimmed and keeps the page centered no matter what resolution you're using. i really need help with this so i can customize my band's music webspace and also make my friend's film site look less dull.

Backgrounds can't cause a scroll.

No, but fixed-width layouts that try to position content on top of specific parts of a background can cause horizontal scrolling.

The URL (address) of a page that demonstrates the problem would be useful...