Yipes, Computer Is Very Confused

Things were working great last night (and no new downloads) ... and yet today I suddenly discovered that my computer is 'loosing it's mind' - in the most literal sense, if that's possible.

For instance, I hadn't even thought this possible but ....

Where files have been named 'sheep', 'lamb' etc and easter eggs 'Eggs (01), Eggs (02) etc etc ....

Cripes! While one sees the actual correct image when looking at the file on the computer screen, when clicking on them to open - lo, different images open! The blue egg is a pink egg but the pink egg isn't blue, nope - it's one of the other colours. And same with the sheep - it looks like a sheep but the file when opening shows a horse.

I promise I have not been drinking, honestly! Would be truly grateful for any ideas at all. Eeeegh, how is this even possible, I wonder?

Thanks so much!

 

The only time I have ever seen this was when one of the very first virus hit the scene. It used to change icons, pics and files. I can't recall the name of it. What I do remember about it, it was a nuisance and didn't do anything like today's malware.

There was another version of it that hit later which was much more malicious. It would erase your boot drive after a few restarts.

I wouldn't think this is what you have since it was first seen in Windows 95 days and v2 was during Windows 98 and ME days. It is possible you could have been infected with it. Have you used a CD, floppy or a USB thumb drive from anyone lately? That is one of the ways the virus propagated. It embedded itself in the boot sector and on load it infected all executables adding the payload to the beginning of the file.

 

Further to what Bob has said, I am wondering if you have allowed the files to be compressed to save space.

This could account for the colour change.

Do you remember being asked this recently and you have allowed it?

Firstly  I am guessing your .png  File is most likely corrupted.

Next try this.

If you click on My Computer > Right click on Crive > Right click on Properties and make sure the "Compress Data to save space" box is unchecked.

If the files are compressed this should decompress them when you open them.

Next try this and see what difference it makes.

Open My Computer > tools > folder options > view tab then find and untick "Show encrypted 
or compressed NTFS files in colour > then click "Apply to all Folders then click apply > Click OK 

Then reboot and check, Mara.

 

No, haven't used a USB drive, floppy or even a CD in the computer lately, Bob - but how odd that something like this could actually be caused by a bug back when we had earlier versions of windows.

I followed your great instructions and checked that the "Compress Data to save space" box is unchecked, Doug. I have so much unused space in this computer but there was always a chance that I'd inadvertently clicked on something I shouldn't have at one time.

I've done Restore, run all my anti-bug programs over and over ... so am just about to use 'Advanced System Care' , only this time including the section I no longer use... the 'Registry Scan and Repair' - so have my fingers crossed.

The computer woe aside, having something like this actually makes one doubt one's sanity - gentle grin.

 

Well, the Registry Scan didn't work either. Hmmm, think I'll just chalk the whole thing up to the computer having a bit of a nervous break-down or something - gentle smile.

But thank you Bob and Doug for trying - I really do appreciate it, kind gentlemen.

 

Hi Mara

Give this a try:

Open up Disk Cleanup.
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > click Disk Cleanup.

Scroll down and check "Thumbnails"

Click on "Clean up System Files"

This will delete the Thumbnails cache. It could be that it is corrupt.

No harm done if it isn't

EDIT:
You may need a restart.

 

My darn computer seems to have a mind of it's own - gentle smile - as when I opened the 'Disk Cleanup", it doesn't give me a choice to scroll down and find 'Thumbnails"

The only thing that opens is 'Select the drive you want to clean up' ... Don't suppose it will hurt to clean the entire (C) Drive?

Thanks for this suggestion, Ken - I'm really happy to give it a try!

 

Hi Mara. Try renaming the file extension and saving as .JPEG. Then test again.

I would drop the resolution to 1024x768 to see if there is any difference.

When you opened a File in Paint, Paint said it would repair the file.I would let it.

Eventually we will find the problem.

 

Hi Doug, I did let the Paint program repair itself - which will be great in the future - so thanks!

The files are still opening 'odd' .... so am going to run the 'disk cleanup' for entire © Drive and keep my fingers crossed.

I had to laugh as I'm darn near ready to swear these files are 'haunted' as I did what you wisely suggested and ...

Visually saw 'pink egg' ... renamed it to 'soft pink egg' and lo, a sheep turned up instead! I think I need a drink!

If getting rid of the 'cache' doesn't do it, I'll simply open each and save as an entirely new file with what is actually then showing on my graphic program - but how I appreciate all the lovely help trying to figure this out. (Nice to know if I've messed up somewhere or it's just 'one of those things' that computers do to us).

 

Just cleared 'cache' from all of (C) Drive .... and the files are still odd, but am glad I tried.

Off I go to pour myself a wee drink!

 

Hi Mara, you do seem to be having some problems...I'm wondering if it might be prudent to have a word with our friend Pete. It seems to me that you may have some uninvited guests....

 

Perhaps you're right, Frank - I'm completely baffled and while I'm slowly 'rescuing' each file, would hate to think it may happen again - yipes!

 

Hi Mara.Further to what the Guys have suggested, I have been researching your problem, and presume this is only one Folder, or at least two or three,  where the Thumbnails open the wrong Image.

You only mention eggs chickens and Horses makes me think it's not wide spread.

I would make a fresh Folder somewhere in your Computer and transfer the images to the new Folder, and test.

Read where one fix was to refresh every Thumbnail in the offending Folder. Right Click on every Thumbnail and select "Refresh Thumbnail"

Easier to make a new Folder somewhere,I would think and simply transfer your Images.

This is just another possibility till we get to the bottom of this.  

 

Sorry about that Mara - I was on Vista machine - thought XP would be the same.

Try this:

Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Show Hidden Files and Folders

Uncheck "Hide protected operating files" - you will get a warning >click OK

Start > Search > Search for Files / Folders
Type ....thumbs.db ....into the search field.
All of the Thumbs.db ( which is used to access the files quicker ) will be listed.

Edit > Select All

Click on File > Delete.

This is effectively deleting the Thumbnails cache.

The thumbs.db will be re-created for each picture you open - so you cannot do any harm by deleting this list.

EDIT:

I have just tried this on my XP machine - you may have to select blocks of files - some I got an error with.

Highlight the top file - move off it
Hold SHIFT down and highlight the bottom of a block > right click > Delete.

EDIT 2:
You can locate specific thumbs.db files if you allow the screen curser to rest on the file in the search.
It will tell you the file name.
If select all > delete comes up with a problem then try to locate a problem file ( depends how many thumbs.db shows up ) and delete that.
Locate the original and see if it opens properly now.

If it does - it would seem that this is the problem located.

 

Please don't worry, Ken - I know that even the same operating system can have various ways of opening things if one different computers.

Got the thumb nail cache deleted (thank you!) and still the pesky wee woe was there ... but all is well now, thankfully! Wahoooooo!!

Doug, you were right ... I 'refreshed' each thumb nail image and ta da, magic happened - each turned into what it should be, visually! Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Thanks so very much!!

And thanks to each and everyone that tried so kindly to help - this wee glitch really had me stumped!

 

Nice one Doug

Mara,

It may be a good idea to go back and uncheck "Show Hidden Files and Folders"
and put a check back against "Hide protected operating files"

 

OK Guys ..... That was a lot of fun !

Now, lets try the one on Myra - where we turn the whole screen upside down and see if she can figure that out. [Although, turning it 90 degrees makes it really hard to coordinate hand motion.] :yks:

 

Good thinking, Ken.


Very wise to keep those Files hidden.