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View Full Version : All folders appear empty when opened


Peter
June 8th 04, 01:51 AM
Whenever I open any folder to view its contents there are no listings in any view (large, small icons or list). The contents are present they just don't show up.All the software works properly, I have scanned for viruses and have none.

The problem appeared after I tried to install NortonAntiVirus 2004 and then uninstalled it. This software never installed properly after going through a host of Symantec's suggestions. Each time I would uninstall it the problem appeared. When the software was installed (even though I got a Symantec error message that it wasn't installed completely) the problem disappeared.

I finally reloaded my old version of NortonAntivirus 2001 which works fine, but the problem of blank folders is still present. Any suggestions?

Gary S. Terhune
June 8th 04, 02:47 AM
1. In Windows Explorer, hold down the left Ctrl key and press the + (plus)
key in the numeric keypad.

2. For a better AV solution, consider http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> Whenever I open any folder to view its contents there are no listings in
any view (large, small icons or list). The contents are present they just
don't show up.All the software works properly, I have scanned for viruses
and have none.
>
> The problem appeared after I tried to install NortonAntiVirus 2004 and
then uninstalled it. This software never installed properly after going
through a host of Symantec's suggestions. Each time I would uninstall it
the problem appeared. When the software was installed (even though I got a
Symantec error message that it wasn't installed completely) the problem
disappeared.
>
> I finally reloaded my old version of NortonAntivirus 2001 which works
fine, but the problem of blank folders is still present. Any suggestions?

Peter
June 8th 04, 03:46 AM
I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but it does nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?

Gary S. Terhune
June 8th 04, 04:56 AM
Sorry about that. I should have looked more closely at your question.

1. Possibly a virus or parasite. I don't keep close track of these things,
so I couldn't say if this is indicative of any particular one. Obvious
measures are up-to-date AV and the basic anti-parasite scanners.

Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
SpyBot S&D http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
HijackThis http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe
CWShredder http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip
Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

PLEASE! Before doing any of these, see also,
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for suggestions and cautionary
information about internet surfing, and some important hints about using the
above. ESPECIALLY, be aware that HijackThis scans result in a LOT of stuff
that you *don't* want to delete. The admonishment to save a log and show it
to an expert is critically good advice. Not following that advice can really
do some damage to your system. SpyBot S&D, too, is capable of similar
problems, especially if you change default scan settings, or "Immunize".

2. Might also use MSCONFIG to disable all startup items *except* WIN.INI and
SYSTEM.INI. Restart and see if that fixes it. If so, that points to a
relatively limited list of causes.

3. Might be that the .folder filetype is messed up, but I don't have a 98
machine handy to find the info for you. With any luck, someone else will
happen by with the answer for this one while you're busy trying out the
above remedies.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but
it does nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?

glee
June 8th 04, 05:43 AM
In addition to Gary's suggestions, you might try running a repair on Internet
Explorer:

Click Start>Run, type the following and click Enter, for IE5x:
RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE5Maintenance

or this, if you have IE6x installed:
RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance

If you do not know which you have, run the former first...if it says it can't find
it, run the latter one, for IE6 instead.

Choose the Repair option, and continue.

If the repair says it cannot complete, or it does not fix the problem, reinstall
Internet Explorer:

Recovering From a Failed Internet Explorer Upgrade in Windows 98:
http://tinyurl.com/r5ba
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but it does
nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?

Gary S. Terhune
June 8th 04, 06:19 AM
Is this a known symptom of failed IE installs, Glen?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"glee" > wrote in message
...
> In addition to Gary's suggestions, you might try running a repair on
Internet
> Explorer:
>
> Click Start>Run, type the following and click Enter, for IE5x:
> RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE5Maintenance
>
> or this, if you have IE6x installed:
> RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance
>
> If you do not know which you have, run the former first...if it says it
can't find
> it, run the latter one, for IE6 instead.
>
> Choose the Repair option, and continue.
>
> If the repair says it cannot complete, or it does not fix the problem,
reinstall
> Internet Explorer:
>
> Recovering From a Failed Internet Explorer Upgrade in Windows 98:
> http://tinyurl.com/r5ba
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Peter" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but
it does
> nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?
>

Bill Watt
June 8th 04, 07:29 AM
On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 19:46:02 -0700, "Peter"
> wrote:

>I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but it does nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?

First select the right pane with the left mouse button then hold
down the ctrl key and press the plus key on the number pad.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/

ppoatt
June 8th 04, 10:26 AM
Are you the same Peter that posted,yesterday,about
loosing "unwise"? If so? You need to really think about
getting a good AV program. Also get Adaware,SpybotS&D.
Plus a good firewall. And all these need to be kept
updated constantly.
I believe Computer Associates has a beta version
available that is both AV and firewall.
www.ca.com


>-----Original Message-----
>Whenever I open any folder to view its contents there are
no listings in any view (large, small icons or list). The
contents are present they just don't show up.All the
software works properly, I have scanned for viruses and
have none.
>
>The problem appeared after I tried to install
NortonAntiVirus 2004 and then uninstalled it. This
software never installed properly after going through a
host of Symantec's suggestions. Each time I would
uninstall it the problem appeared. When the software was
installed (even though I got a Symantec error message that
it wasn't installed completely) the problem disappeared.
>
>I finally reloaded my old version of NortonAntivirus 2001
which works fine, but the problem of blank folders is
still present. Any suggestions?
>.
>

Peter
June 8th 04, 03:51 PM
I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail. Folders appear empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and the my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the way.)

I am at a loss as what to do from here.

Gary S. Terhune
June 8th 04, 04:40 PM
Unfortunately, it happens with Views other than Detail view, so column width
is not the problem.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"Bill Watt" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 19:46:02 -0700, "Peter"
> > wrote:
>
> >I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but
it does nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?
>
> First select the right pane with the left mouse button then hold
> down the ctrl key and press the plus key on the number pad.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill Watt
> Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
>

Gary S. Terhune
June 8th 04, 04:45 PM
WAG 1. Do you have "Web View" or whatever it's called enabled in View menu?
Try Folder Options, Classic view.

WAG 2. In DOS, pick any white-bread folder (not C:\root, not special folders
like Program Files, Windows, Windows\System, etc.) and see if there is a
desktop.ini file in that folder. If so, delete it, then see what happens to
the folder in Explorer.

Unfortunately, it looks more and more like a munged folder filetype. Might
try a new thread with that as topic if nobody drops in here with the proper
Registry fix(es). As I said, I can't help on that one.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail. Folders
appear empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster
and the my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the
way.)
>
> I am at a loss as what to do from here.
>

glee
June 8th 04, 07:43 PM
Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer? The fact that
the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily relevant, as the two
are integrated into the shell.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail. Folders appear
empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and the
my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the way.)
>
> I am at a loss as what to do from here.
>

glee
June 8th 04, 07:44 PM
Not that I am aware of.....Explorer problems are a symptom of a damaged IE though,
as it is integrated into the shell. We might know more if the OP would try my
suggestion.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Gary S. Terhune" > wrote in message
...
> Is this a known symptom of failed IE installs, Glen?
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP for Win9x
>
> "glee" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In addition to Gary's suggestions, you might try running a repair on
> Internet
> > Explorer:
> >
> > Click Start>Run, type the following and click Enter, for IE5x:
> > RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE5Maintenance
> >
> > or this, if you have IE6x installed:
> > RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance
> >
> > If you do not know which you have, run the former first...if it says it
> can't find
> > it, run the latter one, for IE6 instead.
> >
> > Choose the Repair option, and continue.
> >
> > If the repair says it cannot complete, or it does not fix the problem,
> reinstall
> > Internet Explorer:
> >
> > Recovering From a Failed Internet Explorer Upgrade in Windows 98:
> > http://tinyurl.com/r5ba
> > --
> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Peter" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus sign on keypad, but
> it does
> > nothing to solve the problem. ANy other ideas?
> >
>

Peter
June 8th 04, 08:36 PM
These suggestions don't fix it either. Thanks for all of yor help Gary

cheryl
June 8th 04, 10:11 PM
Hey, I was having the same problem and this worked for me.
I will also be using some of the other info posted in this
thread. Thanks. Greatly appreciated.
Cheryl
>-----Original Message-----
>On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 19:46:02 -0700, "Peter"
> wrote:
>
>>I opened Windows explorer and tried control and plus
sign on keypad, but it does nothing to solve the problem.
ANy other ideas?
>
>First select the right pane with the left mouse button
then hold
>down the ctrl key and press the plus key on the number
pad.
>
>Regards,
>
>Bill Watt
>Computer Help and Information
http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
>
>.
>

peter
June 9th 04, 03:11 PM
Eureka!! My system is now functioning fine after heeding all of the suggestions from Gary, ppoatt,Bill and Glee. Thank you all so much for your patience and help. The final reinstallation of IE solved the problem. Bless you.

"Peter" wrote:

> Whenever I open any folder to view its contents there are no listings in any view (large, small icons or list). The contents are present they just don't show up.All the software works properly, I have scanned for viruses and have none.
>
> The problem appeared after I tried to install NortonAntiVirus 2004 and then uninstalled it. This software never installed properly after going through a host of Symantec's suggestions. Each time I would uninstall it the problem appeared. When the software was installed (even though I got a Symantec error message that it wasn't installed completely) the problem disappeared.
>
> I finally reloaded my old version of NortonAntivirus 2001 which works fine, but the problem of blank folders is still present. Any suggestions?
>

Peter
June 9th 04, 03:13 PM
Eureka!! After heeding all of the suggestions from Gary,Bill,ppoatt and Glee I have solved the problem of blank folders. The final fix that worked was the removal and reinstallation of IE as suggested by Glee. Thank you so much.
Peter Loomis

"glee" wrote:

> Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer? The fact that
> the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily relevant, as the two
> are integrated into the shell.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> "Peter" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail. Folders appear
> empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and the
> my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the way.)
> >
> > I am at a loss as what to do from here.
> >
>
>

Peter
June 9th 04, 03:14 PM
Eureka!! After heeding all of the suggestions from Gary,Bill,ppoatt and Glee I have solved the problem of blank folders. The final fix that worked was the removal and reinstallation of IE as suggested by Glee. Thank you so much.
Peter Loomis

"glee" wrote:

> Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer? The fact that
> the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily relevant, as the two
> are integrated into the shell.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> "Peter" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail. Folders appear
> empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and the
> my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the way.)
> >
> > I am at a loss as what to do from here.
> >
>
>

Gary S. Terhune
June 9th 04, 05:11 PM
Cool! This procedure is, unfortunately, looking like a more and more often
needed one. Looks like I'll have to brush up on it. I've never liked the
idea of removing a version of IE once it's in place--sounds nightmarish. But
if that's what it takes...

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> Eureka!! After heeding all of the suggestions from Gary,Bill,ppoatt and
Glee I have solved the problem of blank folders. The final fix that worked
was the removal and reinstallation of IE as suggested by Glee. Thank you so
much.
> Peter Loomis
>
> "glee" wrote:
>
> > Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer? The
fact that
> > the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily relevant,
as the two
> > are integrated into the shell.
> > --
> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> > "Peter" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail.
Folders appear
> > empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and
the
> > my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the
way.)
> > >
> > > I am at a loss as what to do from here.
> > >
> >
> >

glee
June 9th 04, 07:45 PM
You *should* be able to get away with reinstalling IE over itself, choosing Custom
install and selecting only the same modules that are already installed, rather than
reverting to the previous configuration and then reinstalling. At least, that is
what has worked in the past according to those who have tried it.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Gary S. Terhune" > wrote in message
...
> Cool! This procedure is, unfortunately, looking like a more and more often
> needed one. Looks like I'll have to brush up on it. I've never liked the
> idea of removing a version of IE once it's in place--sounds nightmarish. But
> if that's what it takes...
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP for Win9x
>
> "Peter" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Eureka!! After heeding all of the suggestions from Gary,Bill,ppoatt and
> Glee I have solved the problem of blank folders. The final fix that worked
> was the removal and reinstallation of IE as suggested by Glee. Thank you so
> much.
> > Peter Loomis
> >
> > "glee" wrote:
> >
> > > Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer? The
> fact that
> > > the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily relevant,
> as the two
> > > are integrated into the shell.
> > > --
> > > Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> > > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > >
> > > "Peter" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail.
> Folders appear
> > > empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster and
> the
> > > my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the
> way.)
> > > >
> > > > I am at a loss as what to do from here.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
>

Gary S. Terhune
June 9th 04, 07:57 PM
Yes, that's what I always thought. But it appears that this is no longer
sufficient in some cases, to the extent that MSKB has an article on the
procedure for IE6. (sorry, I lost track of it and I gotta go do something
else right now.)

I also suspect that this was going to be the one "Sue" ended up needing,
though we haven't heard from her recently.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"glee" > wrote in message
...
> You *should* be able to get away with reinstalling IE over itself,
choosing Custom
> install and selecting only the same modules that are already installed,
rather than
> reverting to the previous configuration and then reinstalling. At least,
that is
> what has worked in the past according to those who have tried it.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Cool! This procedure is, unfortunately, looking like a more and more
often
> > needed one. Looks like I'll have to brush up on it. I've never liked the
> > idea of removing a version of IE once it's in place--sounds nightmarish.
But
> > if that's what it takes...
> >
> > --
> > Gary S. Terhune
> > MS MVP for Win9x
> >
> > "Peter" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Eureka!! After heeding all of the suggestions from Gary,Bill,ppoatt
and
> > Glee I have solved the problem of blank folders. The final fix that
worked
> > was the removal and reinstallation of IE as suggested by Glee. Thank
you so
> > much.
> > > Peter Loomis
> > >
> > > "glee" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Did you try the suggestions I made, on repairing Internet Explorer?
The
> > fact that
> > > > the problem is in Windows Explorer, not IE, is not necessarily
relevant,
> > as the two
> > > > are integrated into the shell.
> > > > --
> > > > Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
> > > > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > > >
> > > > "Peter" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > I have tried the solutions that you all have offered to no avail.
> > Folders appear
> > > > empty on opening them. As suggested I installed adaware, spyblaster
and
> > the
> > > > my-etrust AV. (There is not a problem with internet explorer by the
> > way.)
> > > > >
> > > > > I am at a loss as what to do from here.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
>