Hi - I been having a problem recently with folders that contain any number of my pictures in .jpg format)

When i open the main folder containing them, I now see a folder 'ghosted out' (hidden) for each and every picture.

The hidden folder has two copies of the original picture - in every folder they are named : vcm_s_k_max160_160x120.jpg and vcm_s_kf_representative_640x480.jpg

As i scroll down - beneath all the folders there are the original pictures (at full size if I open them) - BUT they have the file extension .jpg renamed to .jpg.files
I have tried to change the filename back it wont let me. It also does the same to .avi's

Oh.. and if i do a virus check on a single file - Mcafee reports 2 files were scanned and no virus was detected. If I do it again it says 3 files were scanned and no virus was detected!! etc.

I wonder if this is quite a new virus as I have spent quite some time on the web looking to see if anyone else is having the problem, but cant find anthing specific to this change of extension - its damn annoying cos I am a keen photographer and use my pc for images a lot!

I would really appreciate if anyone can help on this!!

How does it behave if you boot to Safe Mode with Networking? If better then something is starting at boot that is causing the problem.

Use msconfig to determine what is causing the problem

These are good tutorials on using msconfig in XP, Vista or Windows 7:
How to use msconfig in Windows XP
How to use msconfig in Windows Vista
How to use msconfig in Windows 7

Click on Start then Run, type msconfig and press Enter.
Click on the Startup tab, record what is currently starting then click the Disable All button.
Reboot and see if it runs better.
If yes then use msconfig to enable several items at a time till you find the culprit.

If no, start msconfig and click on the Services tab.
Check the Hide All Microsoft Services box, record what is currently starting then click the Disable All button.
Again, do a regular boot, see if it runs normal.
If yes then use msconfig to enable services till you find the culprit.

Once you've found the culprit, uninstall it or find out how to eliminate it from your system. Simply disabling it in msconfig is a temporary fix at best.
Enable everything else you disabled.

Yeah - think u might be right about the startup because for the last couple of days I havent rebooted out of suspicion - have been only putting it into sleep mode, and have had no more activity.

I will try everything you have said (wont get a chance until much later today but will let u know) - I thank you for all of your advice; sounds like it will solve it.

thanks - got to the bottom of it - seems its related to Vaio Sony Media Centre - so deleted tons of jpg copys and appears ok - blocked it from starting up too - once again thanks