Windows Explorer DOES NOT detect any data in any partitions.

ethancote · 01 Sep 2012

Hello,

I was unable to find answers to my dilemma so I am hoping someone here can help me out. If this question was already posted, please kindly direct me to the post for a solution.

Recently my computer encounter a virus and I decided to shut down the computer. When it booted back up, some disk scan tool was ran and it found a bunch of "Data errors" with the hard drive that was CRITICAL.

This somehow cause Windows Explorer to unable to detect any folders/files within any of my partitions.

So I used my Repair CD to install a previous Windows Image backup. When Windows 7 rebooted the hard drive critical errors were gone. However Windows Explorer is still UNABLE to detect any folders/files.

Attached is a screenshot of my Disk Management. As you can see, Disk Management is able to see all the partitions and the percentage of free space in each partition. However when I go into Windows Explorer, it keep saying "This folder is empty" regardless of which partition I click on. I am perplex.

Anyone has an idea as to what went wrong? Can someone please help me detect all my folders/files again.

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Cheers.

ethancote · 02 Sep 2012

Here is an update to my situation.

I went into "Organize > Folder and search options > view tab" and check "Show hidden files, folders and drive", I was able to see all the folders and files within each of the partition.

However they are abit translucent.

Anyone has any clue as to how I can make them unhidden?

Thanks.

AddRAM · 02 Sep 2012

Go into the folder properties and see if hidden is checked.

karlsnooks · 02 Sep 2012

ethan,

Even on your restored image you have malware.

Please carry out following:

HOW TO USE MICROSOFT'S OFFLINE MALWARE REMOVER
Windows Defender Offline
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 785 kB)
You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

INSTALLATION:
· Requires an Internet Connection.
· Insert 512 mB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
· Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
· NEXT button
· Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
· NEXT button
· NEXT button
.
The install program will:
· format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
· download less than 230 mB.
· name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
· use less than 300 mB.

How to UPDATE the Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download less than 65 mB.

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

x BlueRobot · 02 Sep 2012

ethancote said:

Here is an update to my situation.

I went into "Organize > Folder and search options > view tab" and check "Show hidden files, folders and drive", I was able to see all the folders and files within each of the partition.

However they are abit translucent.

Anyone has any clue as to how I can make them unhidden?

Thanks.

Right-Click the translucent folder(s) > Properties

Take a look at my screenshot:

ethancote · 03 Sep 2012

I wanted to thank everyone who has kindly responded to my question!! So thank you Addram, Karlsnooks and BlueRobot!

You were all correct!

Apparently after running the Windows Defender Offline, the anti virus detected a trojan called: ASX/wimad.dt. The anti virus was able to removed the trojan.

However my folders/filers still appeared as hidden, so I follow the directions outlined above to unhide them.

Thanks again all!!

Windows Explorer DOES NOT detect any data in any partitions.

Windows Explorer DOES NOT detect any data in any partitions.

Update