Have you tried issuing a "dir /AD" command in a command window to see if the "invisible" folder is listed in the result ? Also, try the "chkdsk C:" command in a command window, to see if it reports any file system anomalies. I think the first thing to try to figure out is whether this is a file system problem or an explorer problem.
Hey this may help you Its possible that the folder attributes are correctly set to allow the folder to be seen (-h -s). Yet, as many of you know, you can prevent any folder on your computer from being seen on a computer network by simply adding a "$" to the end of the folder's name. So, I suppose that a virus or malware program could secretly do this and then convince the operating system that the folder is a networked folder, in which case the folder would remain invisible even if the folder's attributes are set to -h and -s. Check your folder names do they have "$" to the end? or try Here is how to fix it Go to Run --> type in cmd In Cmd follow the steps Type in : cd C:\Windows Then type in: attrib -s -h C:\Windows (replace with your folder path and name) there are spaces in between -s and -h and C:\windows Worth a go?
@ JaguarXJ12 Hey, it's way over my head! Thanks 4 your help tho - I reckon it may be worth while buying AvaFind to see if that brings anything to light. I have to admit, I'd not heard of it b4.
I couldn't find anything "$" I no longer have any 'invisible' folders (that I know of) which I can use to test out how to flush them out. This is getting a bit abstract now, but to make the folders 'visible' to Explorer again I had to perform a search for "FolderX" which I would then cut and paste back into the correct folder. A straight copy and paste would warn me that I was about to overwrite an existing "FolderX" which, of course, I could not see.
Cheers - I ran "chkdsk C:" - no problems there. I have to hold my hands up - I don't understand the "dir /AD" you mention
Could it have anything to do with folder structures in "Libraries"? I only ask that as this has never happened to me before in any other version of Windows (and I'm running out of ides!)
So I take it that it worked out for you archaeopteryx? In that case congrats man! Or is the problem still there?
Hi Jaguar. I'd love to tell you it'd been solved - I thought it had until 5 minutes ago - that's why I'm back on here so quickly to reply to you! It seems at the moment that the best I can do is constantly check files and folders are visible in their correct directory. I can't afford to lose anything or waste time trying to track down missing items. I truly appreciate everyone's help and concern on this matter. Does anyone have any other ideas please?
Oh man that's really sad to hear, so close. There must be some way to solve this, have you made changes in some settings that could have started this issue. It's easy to change things and then forget about it, it happens me once in a while, drives you crazy.
Hi Jaguar - I'm racking my brains and thinking along the same lines as you suggest. I can't honestly say I've changed too much at all, particularly with the existing filing system. Apart from creating files and folders whilst working, I can think of nothing new that could potentially upset my system. What confuses me is that it's not happening all the time - just now and again for no apparent reason.
I have tried to somehow reproduce this but with no luck, and no abnormalities was found. I tried the 'Save as' in all sorts of programs and destinations in Libraries. Back to the thinking board then.
Were Libraries native to Vista? Not of huge significance to my problem - am just interested as a side issue... Because I'm a relative newcomer to Windows 7, I'm trying to experiment a bit too. For instance, I was starting to wonder whether it was anything to do with saving through the 'Libraries' route. For example, let's say I have a folder in 'My Documents' called 'Design Work' which is actually incorporated into a Library called 'Work'. Would there be any significant difference to the system between 'saving as' through 'Libraries/Work/Design Work' and 'My Documents/Design Work'.
No libraries was not native to Windows Vista, it's something completely new to 7. As to your other thoughts, yes that may be related to all this. But that's just an strong guess from my side.
I'm left with guesses here too! In an earlier response, Heidegger asked if I had UAC activated. Would that affect the file system in Windows? Also, what do other Windows 7 users have their UAC set to if I may ask? As a postscript, I don't want to hijack this on a new subject, but I am the only user on my Windows 7 PC (which I use for work) and just wondered what the optimal setting for my system itself would be.
I don't know but I always turn that baby sitter called UAC off, I don't need no stupid AI to tell me what to do and not to do. I don't recommend it for anybody except for parents who want to control what their kids are doing, that's the only sensible thing I can come up with. Make it easy archaeopteryx and execute it for good, it only belongs to the dumpster, Windows was good without it.
You're quite welcome sir. Microsoft would make us a great favor removing it completely with Windows 8, or making it more usable for some kind of parent mode.