I know to go to the "folder options" in Control Panel, however, when I DO that, there is nothing there when I click on the "view" tab under advanced settings. What in the world can I do now? Most of my desktop items are gone, and I can't open any files on that computer. I'm trying to save what I can to cd before reformatting, but cannot seem to figure this out and would really appreciate any advice that might help.

btw, I have run adaware, aboutbuster, everything I can find, and none of it is helping with this problem so far. TIA.

have you tried using windows explorer?

Yes, unfortunately, I have. That's one of the only things that opens. But again, when I click on TOOLS>FOLDER OPTIONS under ADVANCED, where I know the list should be to select VIEW HIDDEN FILES/FOLDERS, there is nothing there.
I can right-click on the few icons that DO show up on my desktop (normal left-click does nothing, not even open the programs that show up - and the "my documents" folder is empty and won't let me re-target or anything) - but even a normal click and/or a right click on the START button do absolutely nothing right now.
I am in the process of saving all my digital files, etc to cd, and then I fear I'll have to reformat my hard drive unless someone has another idea?

Thanks for responding, Jephree, and I wish it was that simple!! I know I was hit with a virus/spyware, and even after running through the steps I cannot flush it completely without seeing those hidden files!

Found this; re: DOS modus:

If you're unsure of the exact filename of the file you want to make
visible, the probably easiest way to search for hidden files is from
MS-DOS modus in Windows by executing the DIR command using the following
syntax:


On screen with pause after each full screen:


DIR C:\*.* /s /ah /p


Printed on your standard printer (pause disabled):


DIR C:\*.* /s /ah /-p > PRN


This will generate a directory list where ALL and ONLY hidden files on
the drive (C: in the examples above) are shown.


Then, when you've found the file(s) you're searching for, and still
working in MS-DOS modus, you can use the ATTRIB command to remove the
hidden attribute from the file using the following syntax:


ATTRIB [path]"filename" -h


Where "filename" is the name of the file to make visible.
Note that "filename" can also be wild cards, e.g. "*.htm".


also found a registry edit if you can open regedit & the above doesn't work.

Jephree, I'll give this a try tonight and let you know how it works out. Thanks so much for your help!

Any clue as to what went wacky and caused me to end up in this mess?! LOL.
I'm really NOT a dumb blonde, and am quite computer literate, so this is annoying as can be!!

sorry I have no idea, but you seem to have major problems.

I have never run ME; was just trying to help; do you have an Event Viewer to check for errors?

Also perhaps a HiJack This scan might show something?

If you want to post a scan for review please follow all of Owen's instructions HERE once you have completed that post your log on the Spyware, Adware and Viruses board.

Drat! NO, no event viewer, and I can't get that computer online, so I couldn't post the hijack this log. I did run it, and don't see anything suspicious there, although I'm the first to admit my eye isn't highly trained!

All I'm really after now is my emails from my inbox - I'm not good at backing up, and have plenty of info I need out of there. It's my understanding that those files are hidden, so that's one thing I really would like to find!

Thanks again for your help so far, and I'll see what I can find in dos-mode.

Outlook Express?

Inbox.dbx

Perhaps you could copy that folder?

So I take it you can't open Outlook Express?

Look at this thread:

copy .dbx file

which includes this:

Tool

Correct, Outlook Express is one of the many, many programs that will not open. I'll check that out and see if I can find the file and copy it.

Just from glancing at the article, I can't tell if I have to be able to open outlook, which will be an issue if it is neccesary!

Thanks again.

And dumb question, I know, but I guess I've never tried to use ME in ms-dos mode - at least not without the "run" command popping up from the start bar which mine will NOT do - any other way I can do that to look for the hidden files?

OK, well, I seem to have found the inbox file, but still can't get anything else to open.

Something did show up when I was copying to the cd that won't show in explore - a CXTPLS file? Looks like some kind of virus/malaware, so I'll try to rid it before I reformat I guess.

Thanks again for your help before!