cannot show hidden files

#1 helpjulez

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 04:28 PM

Hello everyone, i am in the process of trying to install forefront client security and I keep getting failed installations. So i tried to view my hidden files and folders but it would not work. I have a logfile that i created using hijackthis. if anyone could help me that would be great. I know there is a fix out there, i just need to know where to find it. thanks

#2 Budapest

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 05:34 PM

What happens when you try to view hidden files?

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#3 helpjulez

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 05:38 PM

it will automatically change the setting back to hide hidden files and folders. I can check the box to show hidden files and folders then hit apply and close the window, but when i reopen the window to make sure that the box is still checked it has been reverted back to hide hidden files and folders.

#4 Budapest

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 05:46 PM

Try the fix at Kelly's Korner.

Enable/Disable Show Hidden Files/Folders - #155 on the left.

Right click on it and save the .vbs file to your desktop. Then, double click on the file icon (on your desktop) to run the script. You may need to reboot your computer for the changes to take affect.

With any fix like this you should create a new restore point and backup the registry first. For backing up the registry I like to use ERUNT.

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#5 helpjulez

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 05:53 PM

ok thanks! i will try this and see if it works. thank you so much for the quick response

#6 helpjulez

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 06:53 PM

i tried the fix but it did not solve my problem. i believe there is a virus that wont allow me to view hidden files. It wont let me install my anti virus to get rid of it. Any other ideas?

#7 Budapest

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 06:54 PM

Start with this scan:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic131299.html

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#8 helpjulez

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 08:50 PM

i installed sdfix and opened up "runthis.bat" in safe mode. I pressed y and hit enter to begin the process. After about a minute, i received a message saying "cannot find ///fast hardlock driver!" Then another message that said "hlvdd.dll an intallable virtual device driver failed dll initialization." Help!

#9 Budapest

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 08:56 PM

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2

MBAM may "make changes to your registry" as part of its disinfection routine. If using other security programs that detect registry changes (ie Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere or alert you. Temporarily disable such programs or permit them to allow the changes.

Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
- Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.

MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan.

If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
If you encounter any problems while downloading the definition updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

On the Scanner tab:

Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
Then click on the Scan button.
If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.

Back at the main Scanner screen:

Click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad.
The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply. Be sure to post the complete log to include the top portion which shows MBAM's database version and your operating system.
Exit MBAM when done.

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be asked to reboot your computer so MBAM can proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#10 johninoz

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Posted 10 August 2009 - 08:05 AM

Hi.

I too am experiencing the same problem. Cannot show hidden folders. Used to work, then became erratic. I recovered the PC from original recovery disc. After three days, I find I cannot show hidden folders at all (first time I've tried since the recovery). The checkbox for "show hidden files" has no effect and always reverts to "hide".

PC had been infected with malware, that's why I did the recovery.

I will revover it again and immediately test the hidden folders facility. What a pain!

John.

#11 helpjulez

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Posted 10 August 2009 - 07:09 PM

the malwarebytes anti malware program worked for me. It found tons of viruses on my system. first i ran a quick scan, then i ran about 3 to 4 full scans until it came up with zero infected files. i highly suggest it. thank you again budapest

#12 Budapest

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Posted 10 August 2009 - 07:13 PM

If you’re clean, you should create a new Restore Point to prevent possible re-infection from an old one.

Go Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click System Restore. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen then click Next. Give the Restore Point a name and then click Create. Then use Disk Cleanup to remove all but the most recently created Restore Point. Go Start > Run and type: "Cleanmgr" (without the quotes). Click Ok > More Options tab > Clean Up in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the newly created one.

Also, go Start > Control Panel and double-click Add or Remove Programs. Post back and report any Java or JS2E entries that you have.

_{The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

—George Bernard Shaw}

#13 johninoz

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Posted 11 August 2009 - 07:22 AM

I did the recovery. Before installing any programs or data files, I checked the show hidden feature and it works.

I know that's a radical way to get rid of a problem, but I now feel confident the PC is clean.

Perhaps the loss of the show hidden folders is a simple way to test for infection. Recently, I also all my recovery points vanished - perhaps that's another indicator.

John.