Audio Mutes and .dll file Opens Itself

[GixxerGirl]

Someone please help me because the next step will be a foot through my computer.

A few weeks ago with no apparent cause, my audio began to mute itself. I use my desktop as an entertainment center so while watching movies, it would suddenly mute itself. When this started, it happened maybe 1-2x / day. Not enough to concern me.

A few days ago, however, I started to find my Windows Media player suddenly opened. Nothing playing, just opened to the library. This only happened a couple of times. Until today.

Today my computer decided to to go crazy on me. The windows media player has been opening itself within seconds of being closed. So I disabled the player and now about every 3 seconds a Caution window pops up with the following message:

"You are attempting to open a file of type 'Application extension' (.dll)

These files are used by the operating system and by various programs. Editing or modifying them could damage your system.

If you still want to open the file, click Open with. Otherwise, click Cancel"​

Of course, clicking Cancel just prompts another window to open with the same message.

The audio has also gone nuts. I have the Volume manager open and I can watch it mute and unmute about every 15 seconds.

I have run several virus and spyware searches and have fixed all issues (only cookies were discovered) and I see no changes to my computer's bad behavior.

Someone please tell me what to do? I have heard with XP you can reflash the BIOS. Can I do this with Win7? Do I have to reinstall the OS? Is there an easier fix or one that actually identifies the issue?

 

[severedsolo]

Welcome IMO this is a virus.... There is no way this is normal behaviour.

I would suggest you download and install Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes It is very good for picking up what the "normal" AV's leave behind. It is an on demand scanner so it won't interfere with your normal AV (which works in real time, as I'm sure you know.)

Having said that, and this is a personal opinion so please feel free to ignore it IMO any machine which has been compromised with a virus must be assumed to be infected from there on out. The only acceptable fix is a Format and Clean Install. At least that way you KNOW the problem is gone. Again, just an opinion.

and to be ABSOLUTELY clear: Reflashing your BIOS will do nothing in this situation. This is not a hardware problem it is a software problem. Leave well alone!

 

[GixxerGirl]

Thanks for the quick response. I am doing another full system scan. We shall see.

 

[nettimato]

i have the same problem... exactly same... i deleted the files of media player because it kept popping up, but i can't stop the sound muting itself. malwarebytes' found 1 virus, but deleting it didn't help at all