This is not really a pleasant news to be heard related to the latest leaked Windows 7 Build 7000 (recently posted here) but anyway here it goes. Several Beta testers recently reported bug that could potentially corrupt data (more precisely mp3) when these specific files are played with Microsoft's Windows Media Player 12.
This irreversible damage happens when you choose "express" option during first time setup which effectively turns on Windows Media Player 12 to retrieve information from internet and update files. As a result, few seconds of the beginning mp3s will get shaved off.
As pointed out by a member of Neowin,
The problem only happens when you edit metadata on a certain class of MP3 file (a file with a header larger than 16KB). When the new metadata is written, it corrupts the beginning of the file. This can happen either when you edit the metadata from inside WMP or Explorer, or it can happen if you have WMP set to automatically fill in missing metadata using the online service and add the MP3 to your library. This problem is only present in the recently leaked build.
A Microsoft spokesperson also confirmed that there is a bug which affects the leaked build and Microsoft is now working hard preparing Quick Fix Engineering (QFE) patch that will be distributed by Windows Update for those with official and non-official access real soon.
Even though this bug is not affecting everyone, it is always safe to stick to this simple rule of thumbs when testing beta programs; always make BACKUP.
Technorati Tags: Windows 7 bug, corrupt mp3s, windows media player 12 bug, WMP 12 bug, quick fix engineering
I would look into whether or not this also affects avi files, specifically divx/xvid.
its a Lie! it happen in the final version of win 7 too, they didnt fix it at all. beware!