For last few days I am having this problem that I cant see the folders on my external drives so I am just saving all files in the main directory. I have already checked the external drive on other machine and I can see the folders there. I am using Windows XP professional. I tried different malwares and I am using Mcafee virus scan 8.7i and dat is updated. Rgs

You may need to seize ownership of your folders - see here:http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7network/thread/24bdf172-2dbc-43b8-995d-a99b6a81413c/

Thanks but I guess I have a different problem. Let me elabrate. I can access the external drives and I can see the files but I can't see the folders in that external drime on my computer. I am using XP and I guess it is cuz of some virus or something. But if I plug that External drive to some other computer I can see that. I am using external drives to back up my work.

This is a Windows 7 forum. I would ask the experts in a Windows XP forum, e.g. here:http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/threads.

For last few days I am having this problem that I cant see the folders on my external drives so I am just saving all files in the main directory. I have already checked the external drive on other machine and I can see the folders there. I am using Windows XP professional. I tried different malwares and I am using Mcafee virus scan 8.7i and dat is updated. 1 person needs an answerI do too

Hi Buhgram,Were you able to see the folders in the external drive earlier on this machine?Let’s follow these methods and check if it helps.Method 1You may boot the computer into ‘safemode’ and check if the issue persists. It will start Windows XP with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode:a. Restart the computer.b. Start tapping F8 key.c. You will get advanced boot option window.d. Select the option “Safe mode”.For more information, refer this link:A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XPMethod 2You may also run a disk check & check if the issue persists.How to perform disk error checking in Windows XPMethod 3If the above methods don’t help, you may connect the external drive to some other computer and take a backup of the data on the computer on any other external device.Then try to format the drive to FAT32 or NTFS format.a. Double-click on Computer.b. Right-click on your hard drive, and then select Format. c. In the File system list, click FAT32 or NTFS format. d. Click Start. e. Click OK to start formatting. f. Click OK again after format is completed.g. Then connect the external drive to the other computer & check if it’s working fine.Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

I did run the check disk on the external hard drive and no errors found.Now the thing is that I could see them untill few days back on my machine but now I can only see them on other computers. This is same with the pen drives as well the folders are hidden for some reasons just to my machine and if you plug it to some other machine you can see them. It is very frustrating. I dont have any problem accessing folders on my hard drive. everything seems to be working fine. It is just that the external drives and pen drives where this problem exist. Could it be cuz of some virus or some malware that could have manuplatede the USB ports??? Rgds

Hi Buhgram,· What happened in safe mode?· Have you tried formatting the external drive or pen drive?a) You may run an online virus scan from the link given below & check if the issue persists. http://onecare.live.com/site/en-nz/default.htm?mkt=en-nzAdditionally, make sure that you have the latest update for the antivirus software installed on your machine, so that it works properly.b)You may also download & run Microsoft Security Essentials on your machine.Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.