Windows Media Player & Avast issues (please help)

[AlwaysScrewed]

I am not sure if this is the correct area but if it's not I'm sure a moderator will move it to the proper location. Either way I'll just go ahead and describe my current issue.

So I've been having weird issues with my Windows 7 laptop.

Basically, what happens, is that my Windows Media Player doesn't work when the computer starts up and I let it load and everything. The program comes up but I get the loading circle and it never loads. So I have to use Task Manager to End Task it. When this happens, my free Avast Antivirus won't run virus scans either. The only fix to this seems to be to restart the computer. Which is annoying.

I've already tried multiple ways to detect viruses, malware, etc. and I have already run previous scans where nothing was detected. So that is not the problem.

If you want proof, here is a thread that I posted on on a forum called 'tech guy' forum. You may need to read it to see everything I had to do to try to fix this. Keep in mind this was before I had to do what I ended up restoring it to factory settings.

https://forums.techguy.org/threads/i-was-told-to-post-here-help-i-guess.1171645/

(I'm AlwaysScrewed in that forum)

It got to the point where I was told to restore my laptop to factory settings to fix it. Which I did. I even installed Windows 7 Service Pack 1, which I didn't have previously, and updated it to the most recent updates.

I didn't have the issue for awhile, but now, it is starting up again.

This is annoying and I don't want to restore to factory settings AGAIN because I already did that once. The restarting is annoying as well.

I really don't know what the issue is or how to fix it, and I can't afford a whole new laptop. If someone on here could help me fix this for good, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Geek-9pm]

Doing a re install of Windows is the last resort.
Many do not like Windows Media Player. Or else they prefer an older version of it.
Here is a web site I think is reliable:

Top free media players for PC and Mac 
These are as good or better that the one from Microsoft.

But my preference is either VLC or WIN AMP
Look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic_Ng-HKcyc

[AlwaysScrewed]

Doing a re install of Windows is the last resort.
Many do not like Windows Media Player. Or else they prefer an older version of it.
Here is a web site I think is reliable:

Top free media players for PC and Mac 
These are as good or better that the one from Microsoft.

But my preference is either VLC or WIN AMP
Look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic_Ng-HKcyc

Well I like it and this issue wasn't happening before and is not happening with my Windows 8.1 desktop computer at all with the same programs.

There has to be something causing this.

Besides, I don't see how that will fix the other issue of Avast not virus scanning when this happens.

Someone please help me find and fix this issue. Please. I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Geek-9pm]

You may have a virus in that system.
Either ask for help from a virus expert--
OR
Try a free bootable media antivirus tool
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/top-free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-discs-windows-pcs

My choice would be Avira Rescue System on a CD.

[AlwaysScrewed]

You may have a virus in that system.
Either ask for help from a virus expert--
OR
Try a free bootable media antivirus tool
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/top-free-bootable-antivirus-rescue-discs-windows-pcs

My choice would be Avira Rescue System on a CD.

Please read through the thread from the tech guy forum I provided.

I went through a long process of attempting to detect a virus and nothing was detected.

[soybean]

You may have a virus in that system.

I had a similar thought when I first read this earlier today.  I thought about asking what protection apps he is using and recommending he get Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Super SUPERAntiSpyware, and use them on a regular basis.  All users should use 1 or more malware removal apps in addition to anti-virus software.

[AlwaysScrewed]

I had a similar thought when I first read this earlier today.  I thought about asking what protection apps he is using and recommending he get Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Super SUPERAntiSpyware, and use them on a regular basis.  All users should use 1 or more malware removal apps in addition to anti-virus software.

I already have Malwarebytes free and the last time I did a scan nothing was detected.

You guys made me paranoid so I just ran another scan with MalwareBytes free just now and once again, nothing was detected.

[Geek-9pm]

I've already tried multiple ways to detect viruses, malware, etc. and I have already run previous scans where nothing was detected. So that is not the problem.

At least once in the past five years I had rouse a rescue CD to get my system clean. In your post you said something that made that comet mind. The documentation provided by malware bytes somewhere confirms that thee can be a virus that defeats attempts to find yet it.
Rare? Yes! Never? Never say never.    

EDIT: Reference.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit

... by software company First 4 Internet. The software included a music player but silently installed a rootkit which limited the user's ability to access the CD.

[AlwaysScrewed]

What exactly are you asking me to do then?

Go through the long process of trying to see if I'm infected again on this forum despite the fact that I went through likely a similar process on the other tech guy forum?

[zep516]

I don't think it's an infection. Your logs on the other forum were basically clean from the beginning except for some minor items, Firefox proxy, and some alternate date streams from  Comodo. Plus a root scan was done, then you reinstalled windows so it's highly unlikely a rootkit or any other infection is causing the problem.  I'm a trained Malware remover.

Looks like the only thing you have not tried is to uninstall Avast just to see if that makes any difference, or have you in fact tried that ? If you decide to uninstall Avast you would want to install a Temporary Anti Virus program, if it does not resolve the issue you can always re-install Avast. I can give you instructions on how to do that in a logical sequence.

[Geek-9pm]

My bad. 
I did not see where he installed Windows again and still had the problem pause.
.... (long pause.)
Yes, now I see it. Sounds impossible. I have no idea.
Frankly, if it were my computer, I would try and sell it . 
Sorry I was of no help at all. 

[AlwaysScrewed]

Ugh. Wonderful.

What about uninstalling and reinstalling Windows Media Player? Should I try that? That was offered as a possible solution on another forum.

Problem there is I don't know how to do that.

[SuperDave]

You could try download WMP again and see if that makes any difference. Once you get that problem cleared up you should look at your trusted sites which showed up in your scans on another forum. They're are too many trusted sites which makes your computer more vulnerable to attacks.
Internet Explorer's security is based upon a set of zones. Each zone has different security in terms of what scripts and applications can be run from a site that is in that zone. There is a security zone called the Trusted Zone. This zone has the lowest security and allows scripts and applications from sites in this zone to run without your knowledge. It is therefore a popular setting for malware sites to use so that future infections can be easily done on your computer without your knowledge as these sites will be in the Trusted Zone. Therefore, I recommend that nothing be allowed in the trusted zone.

[AlwaysScrewed]

You could try download WMP again and see if that makes any difference. Once you get that problem cleared up you should look at your trusted sites which showed up in your scans on another forum. They're are too many trusted sites which makes your computer more vulnerable to attacks.
Internet Explorer's security is based upon a set of zones. Each zone has different security in terms of what scripts and applications can be run from a site that is in that zone. There is a security zone called the Trusted Zone. This zone has the lowest security and allows scripts and applications from sites in this zone to run without your knowledge. It is therefore a popular setting for malware sites to use so that future infections can be easily done on your computer without your knowledge as these sites will be in the Trusted Zone. Therefore, I recommend that nothing be allowed in the trusted zone.

I still don't know how to do that. Are you now saying I'm infected with some sort of virus?

[SuperDave]

No, it's just that having trusted sites makes your computer more vulnerable. According to the log in your other site shows over 15,000 trusted sites.