pictures (not text or graphics) scrambled

[Johnz]

We have a windows XP (upgraded) system and now,after two months, it will not show pictures. Any .jpg photo looks like some scrambled digitized unreccognizable art work. The text and graphics are fine. I think it does the same with .gif files and .art files and whatever others there are out there.
I've searched for help, but so far, no luck. Anyone here have this problem?

[Whyzman]

Hello Johnz,

Welcome tohttp://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

I'm not familiar with the problem you are experiencing, however, the folks really in the know here never recommend upgrade installing XP. It is always best to backup what information one deems important and "Fresh" install XP.

There might be an easy fix someone here is aware of to get you out of this mess....hang on and others will follow...

[kayofcircles]

Have nothing constructive to offer, and don't have XP..but this is a weird problem and I am intrigued. Is it only on the Net that you can't see the jpgs properly, or are you having problems opening them anywhere? If only on the Net..which browser? IE 6? When first I started working with pics, I clicked on a "Web safe" color thingy once and it was awful..almost like what you're saying. I am thinking this may be a setting somewhere. I am not sure about the path in XP, but did you check Start..Settings..Control Panel..Internet Options..Advanced tab and look down that list? I have a section on that Advanced screen under Multimedia that has a "Smart Image Dithering" and mine is checked. (Read about dithering recently, but still a bit vague on it. Shouldn't apply, but who knows?) Look down that Advanced list for anything to do with pics. Another place to check..maybe..is Start..Settings..Folder Options..File Types tab..and make sure that jpeg and gif files are set to open with IE.

[Budfred]

You probably have a few different programs that will allow you to view JPG files. Try opening a JPG in some of these and see if the problem carries over. It is possible that the program you were using to open the file was simply corrupted or had the wrong setting as Kay suggested.

Budfred

[ErnieK]

Hi there Johnz
Have you checked for viruses? (hopefullly you run a virus scanner) if not do a full virus scan.