why wont some of my songs play?
 

:( ok the icon paper things next to my songs that wont work have little arrows on them. The ones that do work have the proper icon. This just came out of no where and i dont know how to fix it. if someone can help me with this problem my email address is frkofdark@aol.com

Hmm . . . I think we're gonna require a bit more info here!

Icon paper things? :confused:

Do you mean the displayed icon for MP3/Winamp Media Files in Explorer folders?

What format are these files? MP3, WAV, WMA, other?
Is Winamp the default player?

Usually, if there's a little arrow in the icon, this means that these files are just shortcuts (*.LNK files) which lead to the actual MP3 files. If this is the case, rt click these files and select "Properties". You can find the actual path to the proper MP3's via the command line in the Shortcut tab.

If you've been trying to add these shortcuts to the playlist, this will explain why they don't work. You need to add the file that these shortcuts lead to instead.

Like I say, I'm not 100% sure if this is the cause & solution, but it sounds highly likely. Though how and why they got created is a totally separate issue ?!?!

Sounds like you wen't moving files in Windows Explorer, and generated shortcuts instead :) Go to the start menu -> find files and folders, and search for the original files. Then move them into your mp3 folder.

why wont my songs play?
 

when i went to the properties thing it didnt say anything under neath the shortcut space. what do i do? i really dont want to have to delete all of my songs :(

Can't help much unless you answer ALL of our questions from above!

Additionally:
How big are these files?
If they are less than 1kb, then this confirms they are just shortcuts.

Was there a shortcut tab in the file properties?
If so, this also confirms they are shortcuts.
If there is no command line under the Target field, then this suggests they are invalid shortcuts.

Did you do a windows search for the actual files?
If they are MP3 (you didn't say what format), search for all files called *.mp3
Whatever comes up in the results are all the MP3 files you have on your HD.

If the ones you're looking for don't appear in the results, this would suggest that they are no longer there.

Another thought:
Goto: Folder Options -> View tab
Make sure "show all/hidden files" is checkmarked.
Also uncheck "Hide extensions for known filetypes"
Now run the search again.

If the MP3's show up as hidden files:
Run an up-to-date virus scanner ASAP.

This just in from frkofdark via PM
_________________________________________________________

:( my songs wont work im going to cry :(

ok, well i dont remember changing my songs (by the way, they are mp3s) into shortcuts seeing as though i dont even know how to do that. It just happened out of no where, i dont understand. Until i can fix this i can only play 5 out of my 130 some odd songs. Id really hate to delete all of these songs. you know how if you click on the arrow with the line under it on winamp to bring up the list of your songs? well next to all of those songs theres an icon and on my songs that work, the icon is the winamp thing, and on my songs that dont work theres a small piece of white paper with a small arrow in the lower left hand corner. What do i do to fix this? ive tried everything i know.
___________________________________________________________

Okay, it looks like my assumption was correct.Well, I don't know what this icon represents, but it sounds like you've definitely been infected with a virus, possibly one of the "I Love You" variants.
Have you opened any dodgy e-mail attachments recently?

Anyway, do as I say in my quote then run your Virus Scanner NOW!
You do have Anti-Virus software installed, yes?

You'll also need to goto Windows Folder Options and make sure you can view hidden files (instructions as above in quote).

The actual MP3's are probably hidden, but should still work ok.
After you've gotten rid of the virus, in Explorer, goto the folder which contains your MP3's, Ctrl+A (to select all), File Menu -> Properties -> uncheck "hidden" (under: attributes)

Now try playing them again in Winamp.

Good luck!

ps. you still haven't answered most of the questions from above, so this doesn't help us to help you.

still wont work
 

the files are less than one KB so yes they are shortcuts i didnt open any of those e mails but i will do a virus check anyway. I checked to see if my mp3s are hidden and none of them were. i think my last resort is do delete all of my files :( how did they get this way in the first place? i never made them shortcuts.

Most weird! :confused:
Yes, check for viruses (virii)

Did you use Windows Search to find all files on your HD called *.mp3

Are you saying there are now only 5 mp3's on your HD ?

And all the others are just shortcuts? (*.LNK files)

Valid shortcuts always lead to the actual file.
If there is no valid target specified in the Shortcut tab (under: Properties)
then this suggests that your actual MP3 files no longer exist,
especially if they don't show up in the Search results.

Usually, you can click the "Find Target" button in the Shortcut tab, and this will locate the actual file.

How your MP3's got deleted and turned into (invalid) shortcuts is a complete mystery. Usually, this suggests the presence of a virus, or maybe someone's been messing with your pc? :confused:

I still don't get why the icon is totally different.
Shortcuts usually have the exact same icon as the target file, except (by default) they will also have the little arrow in the bottom left corner.
I still want to know what this white paper icon is.
I don't suppose you can post a screenshot of your mp3 dir as an attachment here?

:(
 

yes they are invalid shortcuts :( i did a virus check no viruses found. i dont understand this at all. yes only 5 mp3s show up on my hard drive. how do i do a screenshot?

Katie

Sounds like bad news I'm afraid.
No, I don't understand it at all either. :confused:
I really feel for you. :(

What's your Windows OS ?
I've got a feeling that this white paper icon could be the default windows file icon maybe?

Anyway, to do a screenshot:
Open your MP3 dir
Alt + Print Screen
This copies the currently active window to the clipboard.
Open either MSPaint (or equivalent Image Editor) or even MS Word
Ctrl+V (paste)
Save the image as a jpg and attach it here.

I don't suppose you can get hold of these mp3's again from somewhere?

A list of mp3 download sites, search engines & file sharing tools:
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=52406
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=64964