MP3 files format changed after virus scan

Avinash.Rao · 30. Jan 2011, 03:14 AM

Hi Guys,

I have loads of MP3 files stored in my USB (External) hard drive. Few months ago, I scanned the drive with Norton 360 Anti-Virus software, the application completed the scan and removed few infections. I did this on WinXP - SP3 and on a Intel Platform desktop machine.

But, strangely, most of the MP3 files were converted to JPEG files. Is there a way to restore this?

Many Thanks,
Avinash

Anupam · 30. Jan 2011, 06:20 AM

Hi Avinash, welcome to the forum.

Did you check, if just the icons of the files are changed, but the files are still mp3? Or, did you check for the extensions of the files?

Did you try to double-click any of the file, and see how they open?

Avinash.Rao · 30. Jan 2011, 01:44 PM

Yes, the icons have changed to how a normal JPEG file would look. If i double click the file, Microsoft Picture application tries to open the file and closes in no time.

I can change the default application for that file by going into properties of that file and changing the "opens with" option to VLC player. It works, but this is reflecting to all JPEG or picture files that I have in my system. Which means, any JPEG file I open will open only in VLC.

Thanks,
Avinash

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anupam

Hi Avinash, welcome to the forum.

Did you check, if just the icons of the files are changed, but the files are still mp3? Or, did you check for the extensions of the files?

Did you try to double-click any of the file, and see how they open?

George · 30. Jan 2011, 01:55 PM

It seems to me that your MP3 files have been renamed to *.JPEG for some reason. Since the files still play ok in VLC player, try to just rename them back to MP3.

Sope · 30. Jan 2011, 05:47 PM

Don't forget you may need to "show-file-name-extensions" in Windows to make it easier to rename the files correctly.

If there are a large number of files to be renamed it would be best to choose one of the programs reviewed here :- http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...me-utility.htm

Ritho · 30. Jan 2011, 05:55 PM

Perhaps you got one of the mediacontrol viruses on your system? This may be of help. http://www.techpavan.com/2009/04/14/...iacontrol-exe/

Is your Norton Anti-Virus up to date? It might be worth downloading an "on demand scanner" to scan your drive to see if Norton missed something. We recommend the free versions of these two

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/
http://www.surfright.nl/en

Avinash.Rao · 31. Jan 2011, 06:47 AM

Hi,

Thank You all for your responses. Let me answer your questions one by one.

1) I tried renaming the files to .mp3, but that didn't solve the problem, rather it didn't make any difference. This was done manually, may be i have to find other way to rename files so that the file format changes to .mp3.

2) This thing happened in one my old desktop machines which had WinXP which had a licensed version of Norton 360 and was upto date when i did the scan. The problem is I have about 25GB of my favorite songs and most of them have changed to JPEG.

I will rename the files using the rename utility and post the results.

Hope it works.
Avinash

Anupam · 31. Jan 2011, 06:57 AM

Avinash, you should take a look at the link Ritho provided, because I find it most probable that a virus is responsible for what happened. Because, just by scanning with Norton, file extensions won't change. Take a look at Ritho's link... they have also provided virus removal procedure there, so it might be of help. No harm trying.

If you haven't installed MalwareBytes Antimalware installed on your computer, please download it, and scan the PC with it. You can scan with Superantispyware too. Emsisoft Antimalware suggested by Ritho is good too, but its a hefty download, and it has false positives. If you are not comfortable with false positives, I would recommend it to use when very necessary.

Avinash.Rao · 31. Jan 2011, 07:27 AM

Hi all,

I used the bulk rename application and renamed the problem files and it worked!

Anupam, Currently, I am using Win 7 64-bit with Mcafee Antivirus + Malware bytes + Super AntiSypware and my system is clean!

As i mentioned this problem happened in my old system.

Anyways, thank you all for your time and responses. I am going to transfer this too another external USB drive and wish to play this in my new car

Cheers,
Avinash

Anupam · 31. Jan 2011, 07:33 AM

Good to know it worked

, and thanks for posting back.

Well, maybe your older system is infected? Do check. And enjoy the songs

.

30. Jan 2011, 03:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Avinash.Rao Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 5	MP3 files format changed after virus scan Hi Guys, I have loads of MP3 files stored in my USB (External) hard drive. Few months ago, I scanned the drive with Norton 360 Anti-Virus software, the application completed the scan and removed few infections. I did this on WinXP - SP3 and on a Intel Platform desktop machine. But, strangely, most of the MP3 files were converted to JPEG files. Is there a way to restore this? Many Thanks, Avinash

30. Jan 2011, 06:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Hi Avinash, welcome to the forum. Did you check, if just the icons of the files are changed, but the files are still mp3? Or, did you check for the extensions of the files? Did you try to double-click any of the file, and see how they open? __________________ Anupam

30. Jan 2011, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
George Progradminstrateditor Join Date: May 2008 Location: Frankfurt, GER Posts: 1,253	It seems to me that your MP3 files have been renamed to *.JPEG for some reason. Since the files still play ok in VLC player, try to just rename them back to MP3. __________________ Best regards, George

30. Jan 2011, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ritho Foundation Editor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,391	Perhaps you got one of the mediacontrol viruses on your system? This may be of help. http://www.techpavan.com/2009/04/14/...iacontrol-exe/ Is your Norton Anti-Virus up to date? It might be worth downloading an "on demand scanner" to scan your drive to see if Norton missed something. We recommend the free versions of these two http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/ http://www.surfright.nl/en __________________ The smallest good deed is better than the greatest intention.

31. Jan 2011, 06:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Avinash, you should take a look at the link Ritho provided, because I find it most probable that a virus is responsible for what happened. Because, just by scanning with Norton, file extensions won't change. Take a look at Ritho's link... they have also provided virus removal procedure there, so it might be of help. No harm trying. If you haven't installed MalwareBytes Antimalware installed on your computer, please download it, and scan the PC with it. You can scan with Superantispyware too. Emsisoft Antimalware suggested by Ritho is good too, but its a hefty download, and it has false positives. If you are not comfortable with false positives, I would recommend it to use when very necessary. __________________ Anupam

30. Jan 2011, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 809	Don't forget you may need to "show-file-name-extensions" in Windows to make it easier to rename the files correctly. If there are a large number of files to be renamed it would be best to choose one of the programs reviewed here :- http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...me-utility.htm

31. Jan 2011, 06:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Avinash.Rao Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 5	Hi, Thank You all for your responses. Let me answer your questions one by one. 1) I tried renaming the files to .mp3, but that didn't solve the problem, rather it didn't make any difference. This was done manually, may be i have to find other way to rename files so that the file format changes to .mp3. 2) This thing happened in one my old desktop machines which had WinXP which had a licensed version of Norton 360 and was upto date when i did the scan. The problem is I have about 25GB of my favorite songs and most of them have changed to JPEG. I will rename the files using the rename utility and post the results. Hope it works. Avinash

31. Jan 2011, 07:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
Avinash.Rao Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 5	Hi all, I used the bulk rename application and renamed the problem files and it worked! Anupam, Currently, I am using Win 7 64-bit with Mcafee Antivirus + Malware bytes + Super AntiSypware and my system is clean! As i mentioned this problem happened in my old system. Anyways, thank you all for your time and responses. I am going to transfer this too another external USB drive and wish to play this in my new car Cheers, Avinash

31. Jan 2011, 07:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Good to know it worked , and thanks for posting back. Well, maybe your older system is infected? Do check. And enjoy the songs . __________________ Anupam

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