<p>Background: My computer messed up due to a virus, so I reinstalled my winxp. On the second install, I installed the operating system to a different drive (so not C: drive). </p>
<p>Problem: You know that hidden system folder that’s invisible until you go to folder options and choose “show all hidden files”? Well, I now can no longer find it even if I do show all hidden files. </p>
<p>BIGGER Problem: I tried to fix the error and randomly chose and made one of my data folder hidden, and now I cannot see it! I cannot even access it by typing its location in the address bar!!! On the status bar of the parent folder, I can still see “17 folders (2 hidden)”. But no matter what I try, I cannot access them! How do I fix this???</p>
<p>Let me get this straight - you did a clean install of Win XP? This means you overwrote all your data, generally. But you said you installed it on another drive…so you may have some options. Be aware that you can infect your new installation from the old drive if mounted, unless you have a fully operational and patched antivirus program running.</p>
<p>Have you fully patched it (your operating system) from Microsoft Update?</p>
<p>Have you installed and updated your antivirus software?</p>
<p>Don’t go anywhere else on the web until these have been done.</p>
<p>You can also boot to the antivirus CD, generally and try and clean your system from there.</p>
<p>You can also go to Symantec and search for the name of your virus and specifically see how to repair your system - if possible.</p>
<p>I formatted the original system drive, but did a clean install of winxp on a different drive. The system has been (almost) perfectly functional. I don’t think it’s viruses that’s making hidden files disappear, though. Maybe it’s a disk error?</p>
<p>If you formatted the original drive, all your data is lost unless you have some friends with very powerful software. Just install your OS on the original drive, since you’ve already reformatted it. Then, as soon as it’s installed - go nowhere else but to Microsoft Update and fully patch that operating system. Then install and fully patch your antivirus software. Make sure your OS has Service Pack 2 installed and patched. Turn on Automatic Updates-automatic install from Microsoft.</p>
<p>Format your drive as NTFS - let it run the default format.</p>
<p>Don’t download anything unless it’s from a legit source…dump ALL suspicious email without opening it.</p>
<p>Download and use Firefox 2.0 web browser. <a href=“http://www.mozilla.com%5B/url%5D”>www.mozilla.com</a></p>
<p>Buy a Mac. Then you don’t need antivirus software.</p>
<p>Once done - then post and say what you see…</p>
<p>i do use firefox, because my IE is messed up by trojans that can’t be removed by my most-updated antivirus programs</p>
<p>I probably won’t get a chance to mess around with my computer until thanksgiving. I don’t visit random websites so I guess I should be pretty safe?</p>
<p>My biggest concern is how to get back the hidden-ified folders. Maybe reinstalling my windows would get them back?</p>
Then you don’t need antivirus software.</p>