Can't Open "windows\system32\drivers" folder

I can’t access windows\system32\drivers folder. I get a
“windows\system32\drivers refers to a location that is unavailable …” error.
This is causing problems. For example, while trying to update video drivers
I get a failure to copy a file to the drivers folder.

Here are some of the steps I have taken so far:

Using Windows explorer I tried to rename the folder, tried to remove and
replace the folder with a backed up copy of the folder, checked the
attributes of the folder, etc, all to no avail as i can not access the folder.

Booting from a cd I started the recovery counsel and in DOS I changed the
name of the drivers folder and put in a copy of a saved drivers folder. I
started windows again, saw the renamed original drivers folder which I can
now open, but the replacement designated windows\system32\drivers will not
open and generates the same location unavailable error.

This is a real mess and i need help,

thanks