Re: Audio Files Developing "Scratches"

Welcome. The whole thing was so weird I had to post it! I still have the
nagging feeling that the user (owner, actually) of that PC did not tell me
everything.

Avatar

"RA" <none> wrote in message news:OSmrTC7CGHA.2356@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Thank you for posting the resolution.
>
> Avatar wrote:
>> Thanks for reading this post. The problem has been resolved. It
>> turned out that a "codec-pack" was installed recently (I was totally
>> unaware of this earlier). Uninstalling it removed the problem. The
>> user seemed to have downloaded this from a website that popped up a
>> prompt to install a plug-in so the site can be "viewed properly".
>> Unfortunately the specifics cannot be recalled except that the pop-up
>> appeared to be a real system message. IE pop-up blocker somehow let
>> this go by. Somewhat mysterious about the whole thing but, as it
>> happens, I am not in a position to delve further.
>> Why the "scratching" occurred at all remain unexplained. To make
>> sure, the system was restored with an image (made before the codec
>> install). The damaged media files were restored from the external
>> drives used for this purpose. The security settings for IE were also
>> modified thereafter so that such software installs don't happen again.
>>
>> Regards and thanks again.
>>
>> Avatar
>>
>>
>> "Avatar" <avatar@nspam.universe> wrote in message
>> news:%239O0YnxCGHA.2644@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>>> This is very weird:
>>>
>>> Several audio files on one machine seems to have developed
>>> "scratches". We noticed scratchy audio when the Windows Start and
>>> Windows Shut Down sounds play. First it was suspected to be a loose
>>> audio connection. This was not the case.
>>>
>>> When we get into Windows\Media folder and play the files directly
>>> they sound
>>> scratchy! We even copied these and other "scratchy" files we found
>>> on to a CD and played them on another computer as well as a CD
>>> player. They sound scratchy there too! Even some downloaded
>>> (legally!) songs seem to have developed these scratches. Luckily we
>>> have external back-ups of not only just the system but every file on
>>> this computer. How "scratches" got on to existing audio files is beyond
>>> me. It seems
>>> obvious something is *damaging* these files just by playing them. But
>>> what?
>>> This XP Pro SP2 (fully updated and malware/virus-free) PC runs fine
>>> otherwise. All devices and drivers are up-to-date and working
>>> perfectly. Any insight would be greatly appreciated with thanks.
>>>
>>> Avatar
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