Help! Incomplete photo files after virus

[trainspot]

I just recovered after a virus, but see some photo files show up with the small sunset picture, and show the file properties, but won't open.
Any way to recover these? Thanks!
I can elaborate if needed.

[Sylvander]

What method[s] did you try using to open them?
1. Right-click then...[Open?]

2. Double-click? [What is the default (bold) action in the (right-click) context menu?]

3. Drag-n-drop onto the open window of a suitable program?
[You hover it over the program's button on the task-bar, wait 'till the window maximises, then drop the file into the window]

4. Run [one at a time] a suitable program, and use "File->Open" and navigate to the file?

5. Install the FREE OpenExpert (http://www.baxbex.com/openexpert.html) program, then configure the right-click menu to list the various programs that [you know/believe/tested] are capable of opening the file type [jpg?].

[trainspot]

[QUOTE=Sylvander;411253]What method[s] did you try using to open them?
1. Right-click then...[Open?]
Yes, then my photo viewing program opens, and the picture doesn't display. It used to before the mess!
2. Double-click? [What is the default (bold) action in the (right-click) context menu?]
"Open" is the bold action, my photo program opens, and the picture doesn't display.
3. Drag-n-drop onto the open window of a suitable program?
[You hover it over the program's button on the task-bar, wait 'till the window maximises, then drop the file into the window]
Yes, "Acess denied" box appears
4. Run [one at a time] a suitable program, and use "File->Open" and navigate to the file?
Keep in mind, this is only some of my photo files that worked before, others are fine.I also tried adding ".jpg" to the file name, which works sometime, but again, access is denied.

[Sylvander]

1. Get a known good photo file and try to open it.
This would tell you that your viewer prog and registry arrangements are good [or not].

2. To check whether [or not] the photo files are what they pretend to be [photo files].
(a) Download mpth_18.exe from HERE (http://www.mirkes.de/files/) and run it to install Tinyhexer.
(b) Once installed use Tinyhexer to open the suspect [photo?] files one at a time to check their true file type.
If true photo files they should be JFIF type as in the screenshot below.
(c) Good idea to put a shortcut to Tinyhexer in the "SendTo" folder, so you can right-click on the various files and click "Send To->Tiny Hexer".
.

[trainspot]

No good, "access denied" when I try to move or view them!

[mjc]

Right click on one of them and select Properties...what happens?

If it allows you to get to the properties...what does it say about the file?

It is very probable that the files have been infected and then damaged beyond repair...

[Sylvander]

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421).

[Paul Komski]

There are a number of picture file formats so do all the problem files have the same file extension. For example .jpg, .gif, .png and so on.

Which Operating System and version: For example WinXP Home or Pro?

If file extensions for known file types are hidden then enable them from the Tools >> Folder Options >> View Tab of MyComputer.

See if you can access them in Safe Mode logged on as Administrator. This could be a permissions thing rather than corruption per se and that you simply need to re-take ownership of them as suggested by Sylvander.

[trainspot]

Thank you!!! That did the trick! Now I have a big job, to re-take ownership of alot of files.I apperciate all of everyones help! Thanks!

[Sylvander]

Nice one! :D :cool:

[mjc]

Before opening any of them...scan them all, one at a time as you retake ownership. There are a number of viruses that infect 'media' files and cause them to no longer be media files, but are really the virus. Be particularly alert for any pics that are now odd sizes...like a jpg that is only 20Kb.

[trainspot]

Good advice, thanks. I found that re-taking the folder worked on all the bad files, rather than doing one at a time. A big time-saver!