WinRAR self-extracting archive problem

[DiMono]

A while ago I posted something in the XP forums about large temporary files being created and destroyed randomly. I've since discovered the source of the problem is a WinRAR self-extracting archive. I've attached a zip of a 124kb temp file, which was partnered up with another temp file that was 117mb when I turned off power to my computer to halt the process.

These files are generated in pairs like this, seemingly randomly, and then they vanish without a trace. Does anyone here know enough about WinRAR to try and explain what's causing this, and how I stop it from continuing?

 

[Maritimesea]

Without opening that zip file you've attached I can only say that it's truly weird. Winrar is creating and then deleting winrar archives at random? Totally bizarre. Doesn't sound like something winrar would or could do if it was functioning normally so I suspect a virus. Uninstall winrar and any associated registry keys including the file type association. Keep the installer for winrar though, just so you can install it again at a later time. If you have a bunch of files that have been archived using winrar, of course extract them first and then zip them up. In other words get rid of everything associated with or to winrar and then see what happens. I have winrar and have never experienced anything as you describe.