Directory Displays But Files Do Not - In Windows 7 64bit

[emscharf]

Greetings, everyone.

I have a Windows 7 laptop that I have had in my possession since last November 2010.

The files I transferred from an older Windows Vista system - to this new Windows 7 system - were fully functioning then and are fully functioning now (editable, savable, movable, etc.).

Shortly after transferring said files (regarding software and web development projects), I noticed a few directories were not behaving normally. Normal behavior would be defined as the ability to open a particular non-system directory and immediately see the files within that directly displayed in a list.

The misbehaving directories I speak of can be opened, but (1) they appear empty, (2) the vertical scroll bars to the right of the directories "flicker" off an on at a millisecond pace, and (3) the region at the bottom left hand corner of these directories where the number of items is listed . . . displays the actual number of items and, then, displays ZERO items (e.g. flashing back and forth between "185 items" and "0 items").

I can access (copy, edit, save, move, etc.) all of the files (.html, .jpg, and .mov) within various web design applications, Adobe Photoshop, and Apple QuickTime with no problem whatsoever.

Outside of these few misbehaving directories, my entire system appears to be fine.

On the other hand, if I attempt to copy the contents of these directories (from within Photoshop, etc.) into newly created directories . . . and, then, attempt to open up those directories from my desktop (as I would normally do), the same problem occurs.

Whether new directory or existing directory - the same files will not display. Even if I add new files to those directories, those new files meet the same end.

I have two other Windows 7 laptops - as well as an external hard drive - and none of those devices have trouble displaying the contents of the problematic directories I have described.

It would be easy and irritating and painful enough to reformat my system to see if that fixes the issue(s), but I would really like to trace the specific symptom to a specific KNOWN source . . . before falling back on a complete wipe out that may not be necessary.

I hope I have provided enough detail for a magical cure in the form of your response.

Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Eric M. Scharf

 

[emscharf]

In following up on the original problem, I performed a quick and necessary experiment.

I removed each of the file types (.html, .jpg, and .mov) from the troubled directories, and - at first - it appears the problem rested with the .html files. The moment I removed them from the directories, everything returned to normal.

The .html files, however, are - at first glance - no different than the same files that populate other directories for the very same purposes.

The next step of my experiment involved reintroducing each category of files back into the troubled directories.

I copied in the .jpg files, and they were displaying fine.
I copied in the .mov files, and they were displaying fine.
I copied in the .html files, and, then, the problem hit.

The final step of my experiment involved reintroducing the .html and .mov files into the directories. All files displayed corrected without incident.

I, then, began adding in the .jpg files in pairs of two at a time . . . and, BINGO, I was able to trigger the display dysfunction as soon as I attempted to go past "164 items" in those directories.

I even performed the experiment again by selecting an entirely different set of .jpg files before reaching "164 items," and I netted the same result.

Logic - from someone unfamiliar with the Windows OS (any kind) - would dictate that I have obviously hit a file limit for those directories. This, of course, is not possible, as the standard directory in Windows can handle at least 2,000-3,000 files before responding poorly.

I have several directories for several projects that go well beyond "164 items" per directory . . . with, in fact, all three file types together (.html, .jpg, and .mov).

Soooooo, what is so magical about "164 items" in these directories?

While I dig further, please, again, feel free to add your 2 cents.

Thank You,

Eric M. Scharf

 

[JOHN47]

Hello emscharf.
Maybe there is a bad sectors in your hdd, try to make a checkdisk and see if it works for you.
Good luck.

 

[emscharf]

JOHN47,

I have, indeed, checked for bad sectors and none were found. It was certainly the logical next step, and now I am in search of the next possibility. I appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Eric M. Scharf

 

[Mike Connor]

Run a malware check. Download this;

Malwarebytes

Run a FULL scan, and if it finds anything, post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[emscharf]

Mike,

Malware Bytes is installed, and I ran a complete scan to no avail.


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
Malwarebytes

Database version: 6313

Windows 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421

4/9/2011 8:52:37 PM
mbam-log-2011-04-09 (20-52-37).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 457654
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 21 minute(s), 16 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

I once again appreciate the continued feedback. Keep it coming, please.

Thank You,

Eric M. Scharf

 

[Mike Connor]

OK. I have no other advice to offer on this,

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[davehc]

Try setting up another user account on a temporary basis, and see if the problem persists.

 

[rezorrand]

I know this is old, but..

In case someone else runs into the same issue, try changing the directory folder type from pictures to "General" (right-click folder, pick properties and choose "Customize" tab (or such, I'm using different language OS, last one on the right). Just below the tab bar is a drop-down menu with "General", "Files", "Pictures", "Music" etc.) and back to pictures again.

It was doing the flickering thing for me as well and that seemed to do the trick. I suppose the desktop.ini file or something had become corrupted.

 

[Fred Shirley]

folders that won't open

I have been having this exact same folder problem with my desktop Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit PC. If I change the folder name it will open temporarily; of if I change the customization (to "Picture" or whatever) it will open (don't know for how long).

But this problem started with just one folder, and then later a second folder. Am I going to keep having more folders go bad with time? Will I then have to fix each one's properties? And how long will this patch work?

Perhaps Microsoft is monitoring these posts and will dig down to find the root cause and fix it (I hope, I hope!).