Now my files won't open!

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

OK, I tried to open a zipped .mpeg file that I've been able to play before, only to be informed that something's wrong. I'd tell you what it said, but read on.

So then I tried to open another zipped file, a .wmv this time, and nothing happened. No error messages, nothing.

Then I closed the media player and tried it again. No media player came up.

Then I tried a .ram, and that opened and played just fine.

But every other form of media I'm playing refuses to open! And I was just watching some of those a few minutes ago! No songs, no videos, nothing!

The only thing I've done differently tonight was I reloaded Soulseek, and did a few searches before refusing to search any more (which in and of itself was odd), but I'd been listening to stuff and watching stuff since that happened. It's only after trying to view the zipped .mpeg (which I've had for a long time and *didn't* get off Soulseek) that everything went to hell.

 

[eX.A.K.R.]

.RAM? Seems like RealPlayer might be messing around with your computer if you have it (RealPlayer is infamous for a variety of reasons); otherwise something nasty might have gotten into your system via SoulSeek.

 

[ElectricRat]

I smell one of three things

1. A hacking attempt
2. Spyware/Malware/Adware
3. A virus.

Do you have a anti-spyware program such as spybot S&D or adaware. If so, then you might oughta run it along with your anti-virus program (surely you have that). If you don't have a firewall you should get one and if you do have one, make sure it's updated.

 

[Altomare Latios]

If I'm reading this correctly, it sounds more like a problem with incorrect usage of the zip format, per se. As you know, Windows XP and Vista treats *.zip files as folders by default. However, they aren't folders in the strictest sense.

When you open something directly from a compressed archive (zip, rar, etc.), it goes to the temporary folder. After being used, it immediately gets deleted or is unavailable. However, I'm not sure when the file becomes unavailable once it's not in use.

The best way to play any media file from a compressed archive is to simply take it out.

 

[TSS_Killer]

And here's another thing to consider: Media files of any type (video or audio) do not compress well, since they are compressed in a sense already. It's quite uneconomical to zip those types of files anyway, as they do not benefit from compression methods. So, stick to playing the media files in their regular state.