Solved Virus Hides and will Not Show Files Folders

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

Hello. Newbie Here. I have Win 7. I just purchased this Dell Laptop with preloaded software and apparently free viruses. I've used the following to disinfect the laptop. Malwarebytes, Sophos, TDSSKiller, Spybot S&D, ComboFix and running Avast Antivirus. I think this computer is virus free, but I don't know for sure.

I think the virus did some damage to my registry. When I attempt to Show Hidden Folders by clicking the radio button, then click appy,....Ok, it doesn't work. When I open the Folder Options box again, it shows the files are HIDDEN. It automatically reverts back to DONT SHOW. I've tried to use Unhide.exe, but a pop up applet says "There was a problem retrieving a necessary environment variable. Unhide has Terminated"!

Inside the Unhide.exe CMD box it says "appdata doesn't exist! Unhide Terminated! I would love to get this resolved. Let me know what you need. Thanks in advance.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

Have you went through all of this? Are you the administrator?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/56005-file-folder-hide-unhide.html

jumanji · Oct 12, 2012

I am not sure what you mean by a DELL Laptop with preloaded software.

Who preloaded the software and what software?

Did you purchase a new DELL laptop with factory installed Windows or did you buy it from any other source (usually with no scruples) that installed these software?

Is it still running the OEM installed Windows?

Does your DELL laptop still have a in-tact recovery partition from which you can restore to the factory image?

If someone had reinstalled Windows from some other media, did you get a valid product key that will be necessary if you are required to do a clean install?

Atleast I will not give any suggestion for fixing your problem unless there are clear-cut answers to these queries - the reason being if something goes haywire while trying to fix the problem, you should be in a position to do a reinstall/clean install. I am not sure whether you are in a position to.

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

@ Jumanji. I purchased a used laptop with Win 7, Office and other programs. I haven't installed anything except anti-virus type programs. I've already done a restore, but the date was just about 10 days ago. Don't have a valid product key. I think this system came with Vista and the last owner put Win 7 on it. Sorry, but don't have history on this other that it was a student laptop. FYI, I'm using the computer right now and it seems to work fine...just a few small things, like the Show All radio button automatically reverts back to Don't Show, when I right click on the desktop, there is no context menu under NEW and I just created a Standard user but it logs me off of that acct immediately after logging on. Don't know if you can help, but thanks for responding.

@Layback Bear. Yes, I'm familiar with those other options, but would like to fix the Show All Files problem. Yes, I'm logged on as Administrator. Thanks for responding.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

You say you don't have a valid COA key. That is the first thing you must have to make your system legal and work correctly. Is their/there a COA sticker on the computer? On the bottom or in the battery compartment. It will tell you what operating system your laptop came with.You will also need a key for the Windows Office program to make it legal.
What operating system does the COA key indicate. Please don't post the number here.

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

I just looked and unfortunately the sticker is not legible. I guess that's what you get when you buy used from ebay. Thanks.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

My research indicates your laptop came with Windows XP. This might be of some help.
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html
----------------
Once the log is posted their/there are people here that will be able to read them and help you.

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

Oh. Thank You! If you don't mind me asking, how did you find out this came with XP? My other laptop came with XP and I love it. It seems so much more stable than Win 7.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

Dell Latitude D830 Specs (Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD, Windows XP Home) - Laptops - CNET Reviews

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

GREAT Info!! How do I close this post? It hasn't been solved, so I don't want to mark it as "Solved". I've seen too many other posts marked as solved when they really weren't. Thanks.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

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.

Win7734 · Oct 12, 2012

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

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

Your very welcome.

Jacee · Oct 12, 2012

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.

Layback Bear · Oct 12, 2012

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

jumanji · Oct 13, 2012

Win7734 said:
....... I've already done a restore, but the date was just about 10 days ago. Don't have a valid product key......

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 http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html 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.)

Win7734 · Oct 13, 2012

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.

Layback Bear · Oct 13, 2012

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.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197255-windows-7-installation-prepare-pc-sold.html
----------------
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.

Win7734 · Oct 13, 2012

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!

Jacee · Oct 14, 2012

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.

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