External Hard Drive showing drivers, not my files

[jrellerby]

Hello,

 

My external Hard Drive (2TB Core by CnM) will not show my personal files on my PC (running XP). I can see the contents of drive as normal in 'my computer' but when I click on the drive the view my files it only shows folders like Drivers, Factonly, Msdos, etc. which I presume is the hard drive software, not my personal files.

 

It was all working as normal when I last plugged it in a few days ago and my external hard drive works as normal on my laptop (running Vista), I can see all my files, so I know there still on my External Drive. I've tried finding this particular issue on the net but I get results for the wrong problem.

 

Hope someone can help me out.

 

Thanks.

 

James

[KenB]

Hi James and welcome to ExTS

 

Try this:

My Computer > Click on the drive letter for the external drive > Tools ( in toolbar ) > Folder Options > View

Put a check in "Show Hidden Files and Folders" > Apply / OK

 

Can you see your files now?

 

If not .....

Go back to Folder Options > View

Uncheck the box next to "Hide Protected Operating System Files"

 

try again.

 

If you still cannot see them go back and Check the box next to "Hide Protected Operating System Files"

 

This could be the result of a virus / malware on the pc that may need further investigation.

[jrellerby]

The problem seems to have rectified itself, in a similar way it just apeared in the first place. I can't figure why as I have touched non of the settings or tried a thing but my files and folders appear as normal and the drivers have hidden themselves.

 

One of lifes little mysteries I guess.

 

James

[KenB]

Hi again James,

 

You may have malware on your system.

 

Download MBAM from here: Click on Products > you want the free download

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

Install > Update > Run it

 

It will produce a log in Notepad.

Copy this and post the log here.

 

If the log shows anything one of our security experts will advise further.

[Starbuck]

I'll just add a quick reply here so that I get a notification of any replies.