problem with MPC/HC after spyware removal

[spiritgumm]

Had some spyware, got help clearing it up and defragmented the HD, but now my PC is unpredictably sluggish, and I'm having issues with Media Player Classic (MPC) and Media Player Classic Home Cinema (MPC HC). Had AvsP using the MPC exe (not the installed version) as the external preview player, but started getting this error: failed (error 193: unknown error c1).
Same issue with MPC HC until I downloaded the Install version, and that seems to work with AvsP.

Other issues:
If I run MPC or MPC HC and load (Quick Open File) and highlight the contents of a Video_TS folder, it's buggy - sometimes stalls, and will always shut down if I try to move the slider button. Save Image wont work either.
Quick opening just one VOB, or other video formats dont have any of these issues.

MPC can be opened if I right-click on a media file and select MPC from the "open with" menu, but I get this error if I try to run MPC HC that way: not a valid Win 32 application....

I've tried ticking different Playback Output preferences in both media players, but hasnt helped.
I'm using Windows XP on a 6 year old Dell desktop. I tested the DirectX 9 loaded on the PC, and seems to be fine. Also tried to tune up the PC with AVG PC Tuneup and some quick Dell PC Tuneup tests; passed all the tests.

[lowellriggsiam]

Try running the windows repair tool start - > run -> sfc /scannow

[Bjs]

sfc /scannow only works if you have the os disc ... it certainly wont help where the issues are related to the software registry file containing either missing keys or corruption.

Had some spyware, got help clearing it up

is an unknown factor ... anything could have happened ... and in the wrong order can leave issues behind.

The re-install of mpc-hc which now works tell's you may have registry issues remaining and other.

Download malwarebytes , the free version, install, update, then do a complete system scan.

There might be a chance you can use advanced system care to check the registry for issues ... if you use it to make changes it will make a backup should they need to be returned.

Note : Your system specs say xp sp1 if this is incorrect please update it as some of these programs require minimum os specs ... sp1 is outdated and not catered for by the majority of utilities.

[fritzi93]

Yeah, you don't say what exactly was done or what program(s) were used to "clean up" the spyware. I second the malwarebytes suggestion, also superantispyware. And there's no good reason not to have SP3, or SP2 at least.

You can use system file checker from hard drive if you copy the I386 folder from the OS install disc to your C drive and edit the registry to point file checker at it. Probably not much help in this case, but can't hurt. Some pre-built XP computers came with the I386 folder at the root of the C drive and registry set accordingly.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

[spiritgumm]

Thanks for the replies. Still having video issues. I'm thinking at this point it's not malware but a system issue - which is too bad since it seems easier to fix the malware.
Here's the rundown from the beginning.

Dell doesnt give you the XP install discs - they store the Install in a partitioned part of the PC. Makes it easier to reinstall, but it's all-or-nothing, and I will have to backup all my data first, and download all updates again. Another disadvantage is if the HD dies, I cant install XP on another PC.
I do have Service Pack 3 installed.

I knew I downloaded some badware, so before I had symptoms, I updated/ran MBam(quick scan) and AVG (free). Mbam found one adware, and AVG found 2 rootkits. Afterwards, I had trouble booting up, was redirected online, couldn't post emails or to forums.
Went to whatthetech. Ran hijackthis to show what might be wrong. Then aswMBR and OTL (OTL I think made by someone there) and Mbam. It didnt go quite smoothly (some ware froze up). Followed by Puran to defrag and check HD. I posted logs, etc, to whatthetech so they could see what was going on.
They also suggested I use the program "Startup Control Panel" to deselect programs running after booting up, to improve speed. Is it possible that's effecting my system?
Here's the Startup instructions:
Run "Startup Control Panel" EXE you will find a startup icon in the control panel - run this
* In the HKLM tab, you may disable (be careful --> "disable") all the entries except your security software
* In the HKCU tab, you may disable all entries.
* In the StartUp tab, you may disable all entries.


MPC/& HC are both playing closed captions which cant be shut off. I looked in ffdshow to see if they were ticked, but I couldnt even find a CC entry. I uninstalled ffdshow, no changes with MPC & HC. I dont know about codecs, and what my PC is using.

Ran the free trial for AVG PC Analyzer/Tuneup. Found alot of issues, but the fixes didnt fix video issues.

Following suggestions here, ran Advanced Systrem Care- found alot of issues. It changed the font on my desktop and notepads - I recall that happening when I tried to speed up my PC myself awhile ago. I havent used the PC enough to see if it's improved its random sluggish behavior. Hasnt fixed my video problems.
Ran Mbam Full scan, no issues.

Other possible symptoms - I was using TDA to remux a demuxed video file with a new audio, and it wouldnt load the video properly (had to use Muxman). However, I was able to load TDA with another audio & video to mux without issue; ironically, I muxed those first in Muxman but the beginning audio got snipped off, and TDA did it properly.