Windows 7: Virus Hides and will Not Show Files Folders

Just don't post until you have something to add. If it gets real long in the tooth the boss will take care of it if you forget. Or just check My Post at the top of the page every now and then.

Sounds good. Thanks for making my 1st Post so easy.

Your very welcome.

Hi Win7734 ... if your Computer was updated to Windows 7 with a key to activate it, you may be able to see that key, using Belarc Advisor.
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Jacee excellent idea. I forgot all about that great program and it's icon is sitting on my desktop.

What restore did you do?

Anyway please do get the existing product key by using any Product Key finder and note it. You can also install Speccy to get it but I think Belarc will also indicate the Office Product Key.

In any case it will be necessary for you to confirm that you have genuine Windows 7 installed.

Please go through this Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions and post your query on the Window's genuineness in that sub-forum. You will definitely get an answer from our expert Noel DP.

If it is genuine, continue this thread with that information and we are here to help you. (At the moment I am holding back since I don't want you to lose a working system - though impaired - trying the fix I suggest, which may happen at times.)

EDIT: Noel DP can also confirm whether any original SLIC is present on your machine. I see an inclination on your part to go back to XP on the basis of the info provided by Layback Bear. It will not be possible to reinstall XP and get it activated, if no SLIC is present on the machine.( It would mean that some sort of a hack or exploit was used to install a non-genuine Windows 7 - if it is a non-genuine install.)

Thanks everyone. I downloaded Belarc about 7 days ago. Just some background. I purchased this on ebay at the end of September. When I rec'd the laptop, it was working fine. No non-genuine codes, blah blah all additional software worked, etc. I did notice the antivirus (Zone labs) was way out of date, so I attempted to AVG 2013. Boy was that a problem. Quickly Uninstalled. Anyway, I noticed that I needed Windows updates, so I accepted. All heck broke loose after that. Long story short, I used Belarc in an attempt get the key to Activate Win 7, but that # wasn't correct. I noticed some of my other programs that we working, were not starting to act funny, so here comes the multiple Virus scan programs. Each one finding malware, trojans, etc. What a pain? Bottom line, I like the computer and will be keeping it. If I must get XP or something else to make this "legal", I will in the future. I just want to make sure the system is fit, virus free and worth spending the extra money. Thanks.

If I may I have a suggestion. You like the computer so just buy Windows 7 and do a clean install. I would suggest this method because it wipes the hard drive which get rid of everything and then installs Windows.
Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold
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You will end up with the computer you like and a fresh legal Windows 7.
Once that is done I would install MSE and use the built in Windows 7 Firewall.
Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
This is what I would do if it was my computer.
The other option would be do what jumanji has posted. The fact you bought it on Ebay means to me you got a jumbled up mess of who know what. We have some very good people here that can guide you with ever choice you make.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't want to lose all of the other great programs I have if I don't have to and will use a clean install only as a last resort. I'm leaning more towards XP, because it's been so stable for me in the past and as you stated, the pc came with XP from the factory.

I would like to make an observation. This is not meant to ruffle any feathers, but if it does, I apologize in advance. From the responses I've received, it seems that people are more concerned about whether your computer is "legal" rather than fixing problems. Perhaps the site owner should provide MS Genuine testing as a pre-requisite to being accepted for membership. That process would alleviate questions and/ or concerns from staff about legality and facilitate the actual repair process. People come here for repair help, so streamline the process. I sincerely appreciate everyone's help and suggestions. This is still a very informative site I will continue to use. Thank You ALL!

We can't help you 'fix' without a legal OS. If the operating service is illegal, then it causes all kinds of problems on the user's end.