Whenever I turn off my computer, my .mp3 files get changed to .exe files the next time i boot up. Anyone have a clue as to why this might be happening? I never used to have this problem with my music =(
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ .. all my muzak'es live in exes .. ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
I don't have a clue .. do you mean that the icon changes to an .exe icon? ... or do you mean the extension actually gets renamed to exe
because if it's just the icon, then you just need to rebuild the icon cache that windows holds .. I've forgotten how to do that natively within windows ... but ..
"RefreshEm" claims to do it .. it's freeware .. and the DL link seems to work
also .. Microangelo, an Icon editing suite of tools
I've used "microangelo" in the past to do that .. but not the "RefreshEm"
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV) <- ->
Timothy J. Warren | My homepage|My Forum|
My Gallery|
My DeviantArt Gallery| AIM: aviat4ion
If it's just the icon that changes, and you are running XP, you can try TweakUI .
"This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more."
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV) <- ->
Timothy J. Warren | My homepage|My Forum|
My Gallery|
My DeviantArt Gallery| AIM: aviat4ion
These viruses typically attach themself as an executable to installed files.
Any pop-ups? Any other suspicious internet activity? Is your pc slower than before?
You can also go to "Task Manager" (right click on your taskbar to get to it) to see if there is a process running that is not recognizable. Sort by cpu activity to bring the most active processes to the top of that column. Then ... google the name of that process.
The above is for Windows though. Might help if you can provide some additional information.
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV) <- ->
Timothy J. Warren | My homepage|My Forum|
My Gallery|
My DeviantArt Gallery| AIM: aviat4ion
Chances are good that you Downloaded and installed a program of ill repute .. some little gadget that promised to do something you felt you needed .. and chances are that was just before the problem started
Only YOU can dredge up that information .. anything suspicious?
a quick googling of keywords is not revealing any results for me
could you list your AntiVirus Arsenal
If you know your way around your "registry" you could take a look at
I'm on windows, & I've got Norton AntiVirus running on my comp. My computer is a tad slower I noticed also..and i'm not completely computer literate so I don't know my way around the registry. But if you write out steps to follow, I can do that =) Anything that will help! (Thanks by the way) Oh and one more problem, I tried what ::purmusic said to do by bringing up the task manager, but it won't even let me open that...and I also learned that when I hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete, nothing happens =(
Ah, Norton... I have Norton on my computer, and for us, it seems to do NADA.
My brother has McAfee... it seems to work fine. But the Norton computer gets a new virus around once a week, and has to be rebuild by my brother and dad around once a month.
Listen to these people, they know their stuff. But I'd consider getting a new security package. But that's just me... our computer seems to be a target.
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV) <- ->
Timothy J. Warren | My homepage|My Forum|
My Gallery|
My DeviantArt Gallery| AIM: aviat4ion
Free to use and widely touted as excellent programs. I use both myself in addition to Windows free beta Defender and have AVG anti-virus software to complete my own personal arsenal of security.
Update (hopefully you are not blocked from accessing Symantec's site) Norton's virus definition files.
Then ...
Disconnect from the internet. No ... do not just disable, physically unplug your pc.
Disable "System Restore." A common place where viruses will 'hide,' if you will, and then upon rebooting, re-infect your system.
Run the two spyware apps first. Spybot first preferrably, then run Ad-Aware.
You can, if you wish, just 'quarantine' any items that are found ... I usually delete and/or choose "Fix." Quarantining is probably a safer bet, until you determine that any of the files that are quarantined are not operationally necessary.
Then do a virus scan.
Then ... go to Start >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk Cleanup. This step is important before re-booting to delete any temp files that could possibly be still infected.
Reboot.
Do it allll over again to ensure that nothing was left behind, so to speak.
If this doesn't solve your problem ... no worries ... there is another way ... it will take some time and effort on your part though.
And it is this ...
Google "Hijack This."
Small bump in the road though ... this has been sold to TrendMicro. But, I think you will be ok, support has not started up yet.
This is a great program that will list all running processes. But, first ... go one step further and delve into some of the forums on other sites.
Typically, what you do is this ... install "Hijack This" ... and then find a tech forum to post the log file produced once you have run the program.
And then someone will review the log and give you specific recommendations as to what further steps you may have to take.
A little lengthier procedure, as it depends on how busy the volunteers and the particular site is that you post to.
The fact that you are telling us that the Windows tasks are not accessible, tells me that yes ... your pc is infected.
No worries ... this is fun stuff. You get to stomp and kick around the nasties and learn in the process.
Hey, put on a cape ... use a magic marker, inscribe a big "S" and go get the bad guys. It ain't no big thing.
Or ... re-install Windows. :o(
Having said all of this ... when you do get back up and running, keep "System Restore" disabled. That one aspect can be a real kicker of a headache when trying to disinfect a infected pc.
thanks everyone for your help =) i tried what purmusic said, and yes my computer is seriously infected =( after taking all the steps, i still am unable to open task manager or ctrl+alt+dlt. i'm gonna try to the hijack this dealy. i'll let you know how it goes. thanks again!
Ok, I won't write a book this time for you to read. :oP
Sorry to hear about your pc troubles. You'll get it figured out.
One other step, or steps you could try ... as it seems you still have internet access ... is to run your computer in 'safe mode' and repeat the first parts again. The two anti-spyware apps scans and then your anti-virus scan.
In safe mode, only the essential services are started ... it may be ... may be possible to clean your pc this way before heading onto the Hijack This part.
Typically, when you boot your pc, you hold down the ... F8 key or delete key (check this to make sure ... I am tired, lol ... and don't want to give you the wrong instructions) .. and then select "Run in Safe Mode" from the window that will appear.
Google is your friend here.
As well as, any of the major virus manufacturers have instructions how to run your pc in safe mode.
Hmm, maybe Norton (Symantec) can assist you with some online help? You could check that out as an option too.
Yeah ... you'll get it cleaned up. Happens to everyone at some point or another.
Good luck ... and then once you are clean ... we will celebrate. :o)
Quote .. MP2, MP3, M3U: the worm creates a new file with ".EXE" extension (for "SONG.MP2" the worm creates the "SONG.MP2.EXE" file), writes its code to there and sets the file attribute "hidden" for the original file.
Quote .. W32/Avette-A replaces the default application for playing MP3 files, renaming the original by appending '.COM' to its name. Subsequently, when a file with MP3 extension is opened, the virus prepends itself to the file, also adding '.EXE' to the filename.
so .. poke around in your mp3 player folder .. if you find your player with a .com extension then it might be the "W32/Avette-A" or a variant .. but your Mp3's are T.O.A.S.T
If you find that all of your original mp3's have been "Hidden" .. then it might be the "myba" virus ..
whether you trust anything on your computer after this is YOUR call ... RUN don't Walk to the nearest neighborhood GEEK
if this proves helpful .. all thanks go to the "Octopus Overlords" .. namely, AWS260 from brooklyn
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (KJV) <- ->
Timothy J. Warren | My homepage|My Forum|
My Gallery|
My DeviantArt Gallery| AIM: aviat4ion