Can't open photo's - Quicktime error

About 5 days ago I started getting errors when trying to open photo's, and the file sizes seem to be huge. 1,932 KB for a jpeg where prior photo's were about 10-20kb with the same Kodak camera.

When trying to open photo's sent on the web, I get
"Could not draw this picture. IT may not be recognized by QuickTime or you could be lo on memory. "

I've not installed QT, or know why or what it is.

I 'clean' my system regularly with Spybot, Adaware, EZCleaner, RegScrubXp, and System Mechanic ridding the system of additonal files and scrubbing the Registry. All to no avail. I've also noticed the system is running very slowy at times, and I was suspecting the mouse button may have become worn out on my optical mouse. (It sometimes takes a looooooooooooong time for nmouse click to be recognized with action. Like clink on the min button on a window and th edge of the box is highlighted, but no action for 3-4 secs.

I've poked around on this site & found occurrences of Quicktime associated with a virus, so have attached an HJT log for your use in responding.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:39:12 AM, on 8/5/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\CDAC11BA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\ptssvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ScsiAccess.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\locator.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
E:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
C:\Program Files\MemoryBoost\MemoryBoost.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\MSIMN.EXE
D:\Sysclean Utilities\HiJackThis\HijackThis1991.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.tradingfrommainstreet.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.tradingfrommainstreet.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] "C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe" /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TCASUTIEXE] TCAUDIAG.EXE -off
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADUserMon] C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InCD] E:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MemoryBoost] "C:\Program Files\MemoryBoost\MemoryBoost.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: MSN Messenger Service - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O12 - Plugin for .zip: E:\Program Files\Ontrack\ZipMagic\npzm.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.3dstockcharts.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: www.advancedanalyzer.com
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Gin - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/nt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1B9935E4-8A50-4DD8-BD09-A7518723BF97} (eAssist NetAgent Customer ActiveX Control version 3) - https://quicken.ehosts.net/netagent/objects/custappx3.CAB
O16 - DPF: {2A32B14F-4D29-4EA3-AC54-E9B19F436CE7} (Scanner Class) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/TDECntrl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {4C39376E-FA9D-4349-BACC-D305C1750EF3} (EPUImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/wl/activex/EPUWALControl_v1-0-3-12.cab
O16 - DPF: {6C6A77C7-B4CC-4792-BB9D-5B50A211F69E} (ProductInformation Control) - http://www.iolo.com/app/ocx/ProductInformation.ocx
O16 - DPF: {AECD14A8-F662-11D1-A395-00805F535788} (Plotwon Control) - http://www.investors.com/member/ocx/plotwon.ocx
O16 - DPF: {B24F0664-7DDA-40B6-B38C-A4FD68DE8685} - http://prod1.centra.com/SiteRoots/main/Install/CentraDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8037A22-5FE1-4CC3-B862-E644A521EE54} - http://www2.pristine.com/esp/install/1.56.0139/esp-install.cab
O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} (ActiveDataInfo Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/activedata/SymAData.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/popcap/zuma/popcaploader_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {E77C0D62-882A-456F-AD8F-7C6C9569B8C7} (ActiveDataObj Class) - http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/activedata/ActiveData.cab
O16 - DPF: {E855A2D4-987E-4F3B-A51C-64D10A7E2479} (EPSImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/activex/EPSControl_v1-0-3-0.cab
O18 - Protocol: x-atng - {7E8717B0-D862-11D5-8C9E-00010304F989} - e:\Program Files\Fidelity Investments\Fidelity Active Trader\System\atngprot.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: PCANotify - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\PCANotify.dll
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: pcAnywhere Host Service (awhost32) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awhost32.exe
O23 - Service: C-DillaCdaC11BA - Macrovision - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\CDAC11BA.EXE
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: Iomega App Services - Iomega Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ptssvc - KODAK - C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\ptssvc.exe
O23 - Service: ScsiAccess - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ScsiAccess.EXE
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: Iomega Active Disk (_IOMEGA_ACTIVE_DISK_SERVICE_) - Iomega Corporation - C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe

 

I didn't see anything glaringly obvious in your HJT log so for now, lets assume it isn't a spyware issue.

Quicktime is mainly a video clip viewer. The Apple folks wrote it a few years back and it has been ported to run under various Microsoft operating systems. I don't particularly like it but it is as reliable as the other mainstream video players. There may be a way to set it as your default picture viewer (I really don't know) but if so, it isn't a normal option for most folks nor is it one I'd recommend.

You don't remember installing Quicktime but it could have happened when you tried to look at a video clip that needed it. You will be offered the option to install the app.

Check for the obvious first by looking to see if you do have it installed. If so, you can uninstall it.

Also open the picture editor of your choice and try to set it as the default for the usual picture types, .jpg, .gif, .bmp, and so on.

If no help there, we'll do some digging.

As to the speed & performance issues, they do need to get fixed but lets concentrate on the picture thing until it is done then move on. Otherwise things may get confusing.

 

I found QuickTime.apl as part of the Photoshop installation.

How do I choose an alternate program with which to open jpeg's etc?

 

The specifics for setting an app as default for various file types will vary. Some have it as part of the setup routine. For instance, Irfanview is the photo editing app I use as my default and it will ask which file types you want to use it with. Picking those will make the needed registry change.

 

The new versions of QT have some issues. If QT is used frequently (almost daily) then within 2 weeks of it being installed it breaks when you try to open it. When you try to uninstall QT it says the install.log is corrupt. The work around for QT I found was to download the QuickTime Alternative (yes thats what the app is called) It uses what looks like the media player 6.4 player. It however does the same job as QT.

To view pics the best app I can think of for that is Irfan View (Icon looks like an electrified cat) It opens just about all picture file formats.